The movement was almost imperceptible at first, but gradually the vast 151,400-ton Queen Mary 2 eased herself away from the Southampton dockside to begin her maiden voyage, setting a course far into the 21st century.

As the gap between the enormous hull and the quayside grew the water churned and boiled, three blasts from her mighty whistles echoed out across the city and the huge liner gathered power. Passengers lined the decks throwing streamers that cascaded down the side of the ship in multi-coloured streaks and a military band played a musical Bon Voyage.

This was start of a new era in Southampton's long and distinguished sea-going heritage, QM2, the next generation of transatlantic liner, was joining the ranks of all the great Cunarders that have gone before her in history; Aquitania, Mauretania, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2.

Ablaze with light QM2, the largest passenger liner ever to have been built, moved out from 38/9 berth into Southampton Water and then, going astern, she took up position off Town Quay and Mayflower Park for a dazzling firework display that soared high over the liner's decks.

Then, surrounded by a flotilla of small boats, passenger ferries, leisure craft, yachts and rubber dinghies and watched by thousands packed into every vantage point on shore, QM2 began to head for the open sea as she made her way down to the Solent and out into the Channel.

Ahead, for the 2,620 passengers on the sell-out crossing, was two weeks of sumptuous living, gala dinners, and for the first three days of the voyage, concerts by singing superstar Shirley Bassey, performing on a ship for the first time.

Scheduled to leave at 5.30pm, QM2 was an hour late in departing because of the time it took to load the extra amount of luggage passengers had brought with them for the celebration voyage.

During the day roads around the Eastern Docks were packed with taxis and coaches bringing people to the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal, alongside the ship last minute stores and provisions disappeared into hatches in the side of the hull while on board an army of stewards checked that everyone of the 1,310 cabins were ready for the guests.

Some of the first passengers to check in were John and Marilyn Fisher from Sholing, Southampton who booked their cabin on the maiden voyage as early as four years ago.

"We just had to do it, it's history and we wanted to be part of it,'' said Mr Fisher, who lived at Netley when he was a boy and watched many of the former great liners go in and out of Southampton.

"I could see them from my bedroom window and without realising it the ships get in your blood and I know this is going to be a great experience.''

By now lines of crew members, resplendent in white starched uniforms, had gathered in the six deck high Grand Lobby to lead passengers as they came aboard to their staterooms.

The first fare paying passenger to walk across the gangway was Richard Faber, from New York, who was greeted by Commodore Ronald Warwick, the liner's master.

"I was the first person in the USA to book my passage on the maiden voyage and I was number two on the booking list, I think the initial booking came from the UK,'' said Mr Faber, a historian and shipping expert, who has travelled with Cunard many times.

As soon as booking began for the maiden voyage all QM2's accommodation was snapped up in a matter of days and it seemed no matter what the cost people were pleased to pay to be part of history.

Some handed over £26,839 each for the ultra-luxurious surroundings of the two exclusive Balmoral and Sandringham apartments, that stretch over two decks and even have their own butler.

Fares for the crossing began at £2,449 per person for a berth in a standard inside cabin rising to £5,259 a passenger for a deluxe stateroom with its own balcony.

A suite cost anything between £8,349 up to £18,039 a person while a berth in the Queen Mary or Queen Elizabeth apartments had a price tag of £22,439 per passenger.

Leaving England's winter far behind in her wake, QM2 is now heading south for her first landfall at the island of Madeira and then its on to the Canary Islands before setting a course out across the Atlantic to Bridgetown, Barbados and the island of St Thomas before docking in Florida.

After the 14-day voyage to Fort Lauderdale QM2 will voyage to Rio de Janeiro in South America and cruise in the Caribbean.

QM2 is due back in Southampton on Monday, April 12 when she undertakes a short four-day cruise before leaving on her inaugural westbound passage to New York where she will meet up with Queen Elizabeth 2 for the return to her home port.

For more news and information about Queen Mary 2 go to our dedicated site at: www.qm2southampton.co.uk.