Captain Nick Nash was back in familiar waters when he brought his command, the 44,348-ton Royal Princess, into Southampton for one of her regular summertime visits.

Born in Cornwall and brought up in West and East Africa and the Persian Gulf, Captain Nash started his sea-going career in 1977 as a deck cadet with Port Line/Cunard Cargo serving on general cargo, banana vessels, oil tankers and container ships.

He studied at the Southampton School of Navigation and obtained his second mate's certificate in 1982.

After nine years on cargo vessels, Captain Nash joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as a Third Officer serving on tankers and supply ships, including those that operate in and out of Marchwood Military Port on Southampton Water.

He passed for master in 1988 and joined P&O Princes Cruises in 1989 as Third Officer on Royal Princess and was promoted to Staff Captain in 1977 on Grand Princess.

Royal Princess, which entered service in November, 1984, is Captain Nash's first command.

The ship is particularly popular with American passengers undertaking cruises around Great Britain, Ireland and continental Europe.