ONE of the world's latest cruise ships, Seven Seas Voyager, was due to arrive in the port of Southampton today.

The ultra-luxury, 42,000-ton vessel, operated by Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, that has a base in Canute Road, Southampton, is embarking passengers for an 11-night voyage to Northern Europe.

Built in Genoa, Italy, at the T.Mariotti shipyard, Seven Seas Voyager entered service last March and is spending her inaugural summer season in Europe and the Mediterranean before being repositioned to the Caribbean in the autumn for a winter programme of cruises.

Following closely in the wake of Seven Seas Mariner, the new 700-guest vessel is the company's second ship to be designed to feature all suite, all private balcony accommodation.

Seven Seas Voyager will be alongside the Mayflower Cruise Terminal at 106 berth in the city's Western Docks and is due to depart at 6pm.