As Southampton says farewell to the classic cruise ship Victoria today, work is now well underway in preparation for the arrival of a new generation of vessels to the P&O Cruises' city-based fleet.
Construction work is taking place in and around 106 berth in the Western Docks as part of the wide-ranging revamp of P&O Cruises' Mayflower Terminal.
This comes as work will soon commence on upgrading the Queen Elizabeth II passenger terminal at 38/9 berth in the Eastern Docks.
Associated British Ports, owners and operators of the docks, is also closely examining the possibility of developing a third terminal to cope with the rapidly expanding cruise sector.
Next year the new look Mayflower Terminal will not only be home to P&O Cruises' Aurora and Oriana but also to two new additions, the 77,499-ton sister-ships, Oceana and Adonia at present operating in America as part of Princess Cruises.
The reshaped quayside facility has been designed to improve and speed up the flow of passengers and luggage while car parking in and around 106 berth will be upgraded.
It was in 1995 that the 27,670-ton Victoria, which previously sailed as Sea Princess and earlier as Kungsholm, entered service with P&O Cruises in Southampton.
Victoria, which has been acquired by Italian shipping interests and is expected to be renamed Mona Lisa, was due to depart for the Mediterranean at 5pm.
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