A COUPLE has found love after they were stranded on a cruise ship in Belfast for four months – and now they’re set to tie the knot.
Gian Perroni, from Vancouver Canada, and Angie Harsanyi, from Colorado USA, fell for each other while exploring Northern Ireland.
A “gigantic wedding” will take place on board The Odyssey ship between Costa Rica and Panama – and the captain will tie the knot for them.
Mr Perroni told RTE how they found their “soulmate” and how the pair are “made for each other”, which prompted him to pop the question on Belfast’s Lagan Weir Bridge.
Ms Harsanyi said yes and added: “I can’t imagine spending another day of my life without him.”
The loved up couple got matching Celtic tattoos to mark their time together in Northern Ireland.
Ms Harsanyi admitted that the hospitality and the kindness in Northern Ireland has been “awesome”.
She said: “We enjoy the people, the pubs, the architecture, and a lot of the nature around here.”
The Odyssey was supposed to take passengers on an epic three-year tour of Europe, Asia and the Americas.
But the ship was stuck in Belfast for months after crew discovered problems with its rudders and gearbox.
Mr Perroni said: “We’ve all had the opportunity to travel and go home as needed.
“So we’ve learned patience and perseverance – and learned how wonderful the people of Belfast have been.”
The ship, built in 1993, has capacity for over 900 passengers.
Nine out of ten voyagers reportedly plan to stay on board for the whole world cruise.
Some passengers told how they sold their homes to go on the £27,000 (€32,350) a-month trip.
SHIP TO SAIL TODAY
While others sold all their possessions to pay between £75,000 (€89,845) and £700,000 (€838,558) for a cabin.
Holly Hennessy, from Florida, is staying in a balcony mini-suite costing $329,000 (€294,000) and said guests were told over the weekend that the ship has passed all certifications.
And today, the massive ship, which docked in Belfast on May 30, is finally due to set sail, to the delight of stranded passengers.
Some 125 passengers will leave the city this evening on a round-the-world trip that will see them sail across international waters for the next three years.
She said: “It was an arduous four-month process but we get to board on Monday and then we get to perpetually sail around the world.”
