THE spy ship that came in from the cold was officially renamed by television personality Angela Rippon in Southampton yesterday.

Originally built to become a top secret vessel for the Soviet navy, the ship is now embarking on an extremely different career specialising in taking passengers, who are aged 50 and over, on voyages around the globe.

The former television news reader was the guest of honour at the renaming ceremony held on board the 12,500-ton Saga Pearl, berthed alongside the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal in the Eastern Docks.

Previously known as Minerva, the vessel has been chartered by Saga Shipping for six months between May and November for the next three years and now joins the company's other ship, Saga Rose as a regular caller to Southampton.

Saga Pearl began its days in the Ukraine where the hull was constructed with the intention of it being used as a Soviet spy ship. It never undertook this role but was taken to Italy where it was converted into a cruise ship.

Designed to have the atmosphere of an English country house, Saga Pearl will be seen at Southampton docks several times during the coming months during her programme of summer voyages.

With a shallower draft than some bigger cruise ships, Saga Pearl will be able to navigate into more unusual ports of call although the ship will also have a worldwide itinerary visiting the Mediterranean, the Norwegian fjords, and the Baltic, as well as the west coast of Africa and Brazil.

FACTFILE:

Cruise Line: Saga Shipping

Construction: Mariotti (Italy)

First entered service: April 1996

Previous names: Minerva and Okean

Length: 436 feet

Width: 65 feet

Draft: 19 feet

Passengers: 352 maximum

Cabins: 178

Crew: 157

Passenger facilities include: outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, two restaurants, bars and lounges, cinema, library and medical centre.