Spectators greet cruise liner

One of the world’s biggest cruise liners has sailed into Southampton today to be greeted by thousands of spectators.

The 109,000 tonne Golden Princess sailed into Southampton this morning in glorious spring sunshine.

The 200-ft high vessel, which is owned by Princess Cruises a part of P&O, is to spend 11 days in the south coast port for her inaugural celebrations.

Sightseers and well-wishers thronged the jetties and shoreline of Southampton water as the luxury liner, which can carry 2,600 passengers, made the journey to her dock.

She was escorted in by a flotilla of small pleasure craft that came out to greet her and an arc of water-jets from escorting tugs. A helicopter also flew overhead.

The vessel, which was made in Italy, will be sailing on a short cruise for the world’s media on May 10 before she sails with her first paying passengers on May 16 to the Mediterranean.

When she leaves Southampton on that date the Golden Princess will be the largest ever liner to leave the UK with paying passengers.

Attractions on board the ship’s 17-decks include five swimming pools, 10 different restaurants and eateries, a wedding chapel, a 750-seat theatre, a golf simulator and a caviar bar.