<strong>Love at first sight:</strong> On a New Year's Eve cruise in 1979, American passenger Marianna Pennucci fell for British ship photographer Robert Knowles.
Love at first sight: On a New Year's Eve cruise in 1979, American passenger Marianna Pennucci fell for British ship photographer Robert Knowles.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles
<strong>Unexpected meeting:</strong> Robert was working on board the Cunard Countess cruise ship, tasked with taking photos of passengers enjoying their vacation. Marianna boarded the ship for a week's holiday.
Unexpected meeting: Robert was working on board the Cunard Countess cruise ship, tasked with taking photos of passengers enjoying their vacation. Marianna boarded the ship for a week's holiday.
Alberto Mier/CNN
<strong>Ship photographer:</strong> Robert had previously worked on the QE2 cruise ship, pictured here. Whatever the ship he was working on, his job was to wander the vessel, taking photos of passengers.
Ship photographer: Robert had previously worked on the QE2 cruise ship, pictured here. Whatever the ship he was working on, his job was to wander the vessel, taking photos of passengers.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles
<strong>Inside the ship:</strong> The Countess offered a more fun and casual experience, compared to the QE2. The ship, which launched in 1976, was "very much the informal side of Cunard," says Cunard historian Michael Gallagher.
Inside the ship: The Countess offered a more fun and casual experience, compared to the QE2. The ship, which launched in 1976, was "very much the informal side of Cunard," says Cunard historian Michael Gallagher.
Courtesy Cunard historian Michael Gallagher
<strong>Embarkation day: </strong>The first time Robert, pictured right, and Marianna saw each other was when she boarded the ship, and he snapped her photo.
Embarkation day: The first time Robert, pictured right, and Marianna saw each other was when she boarded the ship, and he snapped her photo.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles
<strong>New Year's Eve:</strong> Robert and Marianna were properly introduced at an on board New Year's Eve party. "He smiled at me and there was an instant connection," recalls Marianna.
New Year's Eve: Robert and Marianna were properly introduced at an on board New Year's Eve party. "He smiled at me and there was an instant connection," recalls Marianna.
Courtesy Cunard historian Michael Gallagher
<strong>First date: </strong>A port stop at St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands formed the backdrop for their first proper date. Back on board, they continued to speak whenever they could.
First date: A port stop at St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands formed the backdrop for their first proper date. Back on board, they continued to speak whenever they could.
Courtesy Cunard historian Michael Gallagher
<strong>Saying goodbye: </strong>When the cruise ended in Puerto Rico. Marianna had to return home to New York, while Robert remained on the Countess. "If you're ever in New York, please visit," she told him as they said goodbye. "I will," he promised.
Saying goodbye: When the cruise ended in Puerto Rico. Marianna had to return home to New York, while Robert remained on the Countess. "If you're ever in New York, please visit," she told him as they said goodbye. "I will," he promised.
Alberto Mier/CNN
<strong>Planning the reunion:</strong> When February 1980 rolled around, Robert decided to take a leap of faith and leave the Cunard Countess to meet Marianna in New York. He telexed her to ask if he could come, and she said yes.
Planning the reunion: When February 1980 rolled around, Robert decided to take a leap of faith and leave the Cunard Countess to meet Marianna in New York. He telexed her to ask if he could come, and she said yes.
Courtesy Cunard historian Michael Gallagher
<strong>New York romance: </strong>The couple reunited in New York. They married in 1981 and enjoyed years of life together in New York City, and later upper state New York and Pennsylvania.
New York romance: The couple reunited in New York. They married in 1981 and enjoyed years of life together in New York City, and later upper state New York and Pennsylvania.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles
<strong>Reuniting with the ship: </strong>The couple always hoped to go on another voyage on the Cunard Countess, but they never made it back on board. But once, while on vacation in Bermuda, they saw the ship and posed for photos.
Reuniting with the ship: The couple always hoped to go on another voyage on the Cunard Countess, but they never made it back on board. But once, while on vacation in Bermuda, they saw the ship and posed for photos.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles
<strong>40 years on:</strong> In April 2021, Robert and Marianna will celebrate 40 years of marriage. They're both glad they met, and made it work. "Sometimes you just have to take a chance and see where it takes you," says Marianna.
40 years on: In April 2021, Robert and Marianna will celebrate 40 years of marriage. They're both glad they met, and made it work. "Sometimes you just have to take a chance and see where it takes you," says Marianna.
Courtesy Robert and Marianna Knowles