ONE of the world's most luxurious cruise ships - the 68,000 ton Crystal Serenity ties up alongside 101 berth in the city's Western Docks tomorrow.

Sightseers in Mayflower Park will have a particularly good view of the ship as Crystal Serenity departs the City Cruise Terminal at 9pm for a voyage to the Mediterranean after a 15-hour stay in port.

Passengers for the 12-day cruise will have paid anything from £5,000 right up to £18,000 each for a suite on the ship.

The vessel, which can accommodate up to 1,100 passengers and 635 crew, was in Southampton for her official naming ceremony performed by the singer and movie star Dame Julie Andrews last summer.

Crystal Serenity, 820 feet long and with eight passenger decks, is ranked among the highest rated cruise ships now in service.