Northern Ireland: Couple to marry on cruise after engine problems left them in whirlwind romance in Belfast for months

Two strangers stranded in Belfast for months waiting for a cruise to depart fall in love and plan to marry once the ship sets sail.

Gian Perroni and Angela Harsanyi were due to set sail on the Odyssey for a three-and-a-half-year voyage beginning May 30, but engine problems forced them to stay on board. Northern Ireland.

But while in town, they started dating and discovered they were “totally compatible.” Four months into their relationship, they’re engaged.

“We discovered that we had so much in common and enjoyed each other’s company so much that we really couldn’t imagine life without each other,” said Ms Harsanyi The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee.

Mr Perroni told Sky they had arrived Belfast in May, but the ship “turned out to have a lot of issues that needed to be addressed – many of which came as a surprise during the voyage.”

He added that while the cruise company, which “looked after us, took care of us, covered our expenses,” worked to resolve the issue, the two met and “became friends.”

“About six weeks ago we were returning to the ship and our hotels in Belfast city centre every day,” he said.

“And we just formed a really deep friendship that turned into a romance.”

When asked how she knew Mr Perroni was the right one, Ms Harsanyi replied: “Once you know, you know.

“As I became friends with him and spent time with him, especially in the last five weeks, I began to understand his morals, values and future beliefs.”

Mr Perroni said the couple had spent so much time in Belfast that they felt it was right to propose there.

“We started talking about getting married a few weeks ago,” he said. “It’s Angie’s first marriage — it’s not my first marriage, but I wanted to do it right.

“We found a nice little jeweller in town, picked out a ring together and then I planned to propose on the boat, but one night we were walking along the River Lagan – during last week’s supermoon – the time just seemed right. So I popped the question.”

Read more on Sky News:
Starmer should be on a victory lap but he’s already stumbling
Mothers pay tribute to “beautiful” children

The wedding will take place aboard the ship, and the honeymoon is already planned, with over 400 stops on the cruise ahead of them.

Mrs. Harsanyi said, “It couldn’t be better, could it? We’re getting married between the Panama Canal and Costa Rica.

“Since Gian has been from Costa Rica for six years, I have the best guide you could ever imagine.”

Watch Tuesday’s full broadcast of The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee online or on the app Here