Passengers on an ill-fated luxury cruise ship who have been stranded in Belfast for three months were given a civic reception to thank them for their patience.

The passengers had paid as much as £27,000-a-month for an epic three-year luxury cruise voyage around the world - only to spend the entire summer stuck in rain-lashed Northern Ireland after the vessel developed engine trouble.

Many have long since exhausted local tourist sights like the Titanic Museum and the Giant's Causeway - so on Monday they were given a new destination as the Lord Mayor of Belfast threw open the doors of City Hall to welcome them.

And with sea trials of The Odyssey due to begin this week - and their cruise expected to finally begin soon afterwards - the moment also represented the city saying 'bon voyage' to its unlikely temporary residents.

Among those enjoying tea,coffee and pastries with the mayor were self-styled 'cruise ambassadors' Melody Hennessee,65 and her retired doctor husband,John,77 - who insist that passengers haven't let delays get them down.

The Mayor of Belfast hosted yesterday's event for the passengers at the Civic Hall 

'If I'm not on the ship,I'm gonna have the adventure on land. I've worked really hard to retire,and I'm gonna have a great time.

'I've had a great time in Belfast. I've done the City Hall tour. I have also been to Giant's Causeway.

'I've also been to Dublin,and I went down to Cork. I've been to Tenerife,Marrakech,I got to go on a camel. We went to Disney in Paris,I wandered around Wales,and London.'

The Mayor of Belfast who was hosting yesterday's event,Alliance Party Cllr Micky Murray,said the only complaint he'd heard from passengers had been over the amount of rain.

He said: 'I didn't even know they were in the city until last week when they blew up on social media and in write ups.

'They have really enjoyed their time here and embraced life in Belfast.'

BelfastNorthern Ireland