Cunard Cruises has taken possession of the latest addition to its regal fleet,
Queen Victoria, at a ceremony that occurred over the weekend.
The ship is now being prepared to make its journey to the UK in time for next month's official naming ceremony which the Duchess of Cornwall will preside over.
Also set to be in attendance at the event will be the Prince of Wales and
Queen Victoria will set sail on her maiden world cruise the day after, on Tuesday December 11th 2007.
At the handover ceremony,
Cunard Cruises' president Carol Marlow commented: "This ceremony to mark the completion of the ship and our acceptance of delivery is just the first of a number of significant events over the next few weeks."
The new ship contains 990 staterooms and weighing in at 90,000 tonnes has a guest capacity of 2,000.
"I'm certain the British will take this truly magnificent ship to their hearts," Ms Marlow concluded.