SOUTHAMPTON Docks' big-gest cruise ship customer has clinched an international alliance with a major Inter-net provider, to help promote its city-based fleet of vessels.

The deal was announced as P&O Princess Cruises began trading as a separate company following a de-merger from its former parent operation.

Once part of the giant shipping and logistic empire P&O Group, the new separate company consists of P&O Cruises, which has its UK fleet of four luxury cruise liners in Southampton, and Princess Cruises in America.

Working with America Online, the new cruise company aims to offer customers and travel agents easy access to information about the ships, their voyages and their ports of call.

Internet users will also, in the future, be able to log on and share experiences about cruises with passengers who have just returned from a voyage, or with potential customers wanting to learn more about cruising.

At present the P&O Princess Cruises' fleet based in Southampton includes the superliners Aurora, Oriana and Arcadia, as well as the classic vessel, Victoria.

Next year will also see the switch from Dover to Southampton of the luxury liner, Royal Princess, which will undertake a programme of voyages from the port, aimed at the American market.

In another move, the brand-new megaliner, Golden Princess, is due in Southampton from the builder's yard during 2001, for her maiden voyage.

Work is poised to start on constructing a new passenger terminal to replace the present dockside complex now used by the vessels at 106 berth in Southampton's Western Docks.