SOUTHAMPTON'S glory days before jet travel, when the docks were filled with passenger liners, are to be recreated by an American-style "cruiseathon''.

A spectacular showcase for the British cruising industry, it would bring some of the world's most famous ships together in Southampton at the same time and attract thousands of visitors to the city's waterfront.

If the plan receives the go-ahead, a fleet of six or more liners and cruise ships would be berthed in the docks at the same time in a money-spinning showcase of Southampton's status as an international maritime centre.

It would be the first time a cruiseathon, already established as regular events on the other side of the Atlantic in the USA and Canada, would ever be staged in the UK.

The idea is the brainchild of Peter Shanks, the Southampton based managing director of two cruise companies, Ocean Village and Princess Cruises, and his scheme has already received the backing of the city council.

Not only would thousands of representatives from the shipping and travel industries travel to Southampton from all over the country to tour the ships one after another but the sight of so many ships together would be a major tourist attraction for the city.

Depending on the date of the event, among the ships that could possibly be involved are Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and even the company's brand new liner Queen Victoria, due to arrive in December next year. Royal Caribbean International's vast Navigator of the Seas, set to arrive in Southampton in April next year, could also join P&O Cruises' vessels Oriana, Aurora, Arcadia, Oceana and Artemis, together with the brand new Ventura, due in the port in April 2008, as well as Princess Cruises' Sea Princess.

Other cruise companies such as Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Saga, which regularly bring their ships to Southampton, could also be involved in the event.

Mr Shanks, who is also chairman of the cruise section of the Passenger Shipping Association, the trade body that represents British cruise ship companies, said: "Southampton is the ideal place to hold such an event as it recognised as the base for so many ships.

"There is no better way to show people what cruising is all about than by letting people see the ships themselves.

"Cruising is big business for Southampton with so many ships and companies now operating out of the city.

"We are still at an early stage of planning but it might be possible to stage the cruiseathon either towards the end of the Southampton cruising season in the autumn of 2007 or sometime during the following year.'' Mr Shanks is to hold talks with other cruise ship operators this week in the next stage of promoting his plan and is optimistic about their support.

"We would also want to work alongside and involve the port operator, Southampton City Council and also the hotels in and around the city as the cruiseathon would be an ideal backdrop for trade conferences as well as a wonderful sight for members of the public,'' said Mr Shanks.

"The cruising market is growing rapidly in this country, new ships are entering service all the time and I believe an event of this nature would be a good way to not only educate travel agents further about cruising but also it is a great way to show off our product.'' Councillor Adrian Vinson, leader of Southampton City Council, said: "We welcome any ideas to highlight the city's status as the cruise capital of Britain.

"This year we have welcomed several new cruise ships to the city, including The Freedom of the Seas and only last week Norwegian Pearl.

"Any such event, such as the cruiseathon, that would bring many ships together at the same time would be quite a spectacle.''

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