The world's latest luxury cruise ship, Norwegian Sun is to rise for the first time in Southampton Docks.

Operator, Norwegian Cruise Line has chosen the city, the centre for the UK's cruising industry, for the ship's international debut which will attract thousands of representatives from shipping and travel companies from Great Britain and the rest of Europe as well as the United States.

After a series of promotional events the 77,000 ton vessel will make its official maiden voyage from the city to NewYork in September.

Norwegian Sun is due to arrive in the docks from Germany on Monday, September 3 and leave again the next day for a short, two- night private charter.

With a speed of 23 knots, Norwegian Sun will have 12 passenger decks and accommodate up to 1,960 passengers and 1,000 crew.

A domed atrium eight decks high is located midships with the reception and purser's area while another atrium, this time three decks high, is located at the aft of the ship.

The ship even has its own chapel which can be used for wedding services and marriage vow renewals.

A special camera located on the bridge will download photographs on to the NCL's Internet website so that passengers and family at home can track the ship during the voyage.

NCL says the latest addition to their growing fleet boasts more dining options than any other ship sailing today.

A total of nine restaurants will be featured on the vessel which is the first to be designed specifically for NCL's freestyle cruising where passengers are offered open seating in the main restaurants, so they can choose when, where and with who they want to dine.

Colin Veitch, president and chief executive officer of NCL, said: "We feel the added enhancements to the ship will allow passengers to fully experience the freestyle cruising concept in facilities expressly designed for that purpose.''

The ship will be named at a double ceremony, with NCL's Norwegian Star, in Miami in November.