We met when our luxury round-the-world cruise was delayed - four months later we're engaged: How the long wait in Belfast to set sail on the Villa Vie Odyssey has proved life-changing for passengers (

A couple who met when their luxury three-year cruise experience was delayed in Belfast have told how they are engaged four months later.

Passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey paid as much as £27,000-a-month for the epic ship experience, which was due to set sail from Southampton on May 15 and then from Belfast on May 30.

But after engine problems struck the ship four months ago, voyagers have been forced to entertain themselves in the Northern Irish capital while they wait to set sail again.

Gian Perroni, 62, who is Canadian but lives in Costa Rica, and Angela Harsanyi, 53, of Colorado , met in Belfast and got to know each other while walking around the rain-lashed city.

A few months later, Mr Perroni has proposed to Ms Harsanyi during a romantic stroll along the River Lagan under a supermoon on Tuesday.

The couple, who both own cabins on the ship, plan to host an engagement party onboard when they finally take off again next week.

Mr Perroni told The Times : 'We both truly believe we have found our soulmate and couldn't imagine spending the rest of our lives apart.'

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Meanwhile, 68-year-old Holly Hennessy, of Florida, said she has stayed 'annoyingly positive', thoroughly enjoying the delay with her feline companion, Captain the Cruising Kitty.

The cat, which has its own Facebook page, travels the world with its owner, who bought a balcony cabin on the ship for $329,000 (£247,000).

Ms Hennessy previously told The Mail: 'I love Belfast. Belfast people are wonderful.

'I just want to thank everybody in Belfast who's been so kind to us. And I mean, it's been really nice.'

She added: 'I love the traditional music being played in the pubs. I had a blast.'

Some passengers decided to visit all of Belfast's 131 pubs during their four-month stay in the city.

Steve and Angela Theriac, of Nicaragua, had a pint of Guinness at every pub in the city centre.

Others are more excited to leave Belfast, with one couple saying they are overjoyed at the news they will be sailing again next week.

Johan Bodin, 54, said: 'We are hoping something will happen by mid-next week.'

The Odyssey underwent its final 'sea trial' with DNV, a maritime safety assessment organisation, on Saturday. Managing director of Villa Vie Residences Mike Petterson confirmed they are hopeful to at last be under way as soon as next Wednesday.

The vessel, which has an action-packed 425-port itinerary across 147 countries, has been plagued with mechanical issues since it was initially expected to launch in May.

One dock worker confirmed to MailOnline: 'She sailed though her final test, and she should be off as soon as Wednesday. Everything is looking good.