Southampton said a final farewell to one of the port's most enduring cruise ships, Victoria, with fireworks, water fountains and a storm of confetti.

More than 700 passengers lined the decks of the 27,670-ton vessel, which first entered service back in 1966, as Victoria eased herself away from 105 berth in Southampton's Western Docks to begin her last voyage flying the P&O Cruises' flag.

Even the torrential rain stopped and overcast clouds cleared to reveal blue skies for just a few minutes as Victoria sounded her whistle in salute to the port which had been her home for so long.

However, one 84-year-old passenger was forced to watch Victoria's departure from the quayside as he arrived too late to embark for the start of the cruise.

Hans Breitow had flown all the way from his home in Stockholm, Sweden, only to arrive in Southampton Docks to see the ship setting off on its voyage to the Mediterranean.

"P&O is going to put me up overnight in a hotel and then arrange for me to fly to Gibraltar, the ship's first port of call on the cruise, so I don't think I shall miss too much,'' said Mr Breitow, who has travelled on Victoria three times before.

With her 196ft paying-off pennant flying from her mast, Victoria, which sailed previously as Kungsholm and Sea Princess, made her way down Southampton Water escorted by a tug spraying water spouts high into the air.

Multi-coloured streamers streaked the ship's side as fireworks soared from the roof of the dockside passenger terminal, special lighting effects were projected on to her hull and clouds of confetti burst over her decks as a military band played Victoria away.

Many staff from P&O Cruises' Southampton headquarters were on the quay to say goodbye to Victoria, which has been acquired by Italian shipping interests and is expected to be renamed Mona Lisa.

Next month the two-year-old, 77,499-ton Oceana becomes part of P&O's Southampton-based fleet and undertakes a winter programme in the Caribbean before arriving in the city for the first time next May.

Oceana will be joined by her sister ship Adonia next year and they will operate alongside Aurora and Oriana from the city's Mayflower Terminal.