Jade is the jewel in city port’s crown (From Daily Echo)

Jade is the jewel in city port’s crown

7:40am Wednesday 4th June 2008 in

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THE port of Southampton is now able to boast of being home to the "Big Three'' of the multi-million-pound, international cruising industry with the arrival in the city of the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel, Norwegian Jade.

NCL's decision to reposition the ship in Southampton for a summer-long season of voyages, completed the trio of companies, which also includes Carnival and Royal Caribbean International, now operating from the city.

Following maritime tradition, shortly after Norwegian Jade's arrival in the Western Docks, Southampton port director Doug Morrison boarded the cruise ship to present her master, Captain Tommy Stensrud, with a commemorative plaque marking the maiden call of the vessel.

Mayor of Southampton, Brian Parnell also handed over a replica of the Southampton coat of arms while Captain Stensrud gave the port and the city mounted photographs of the ship.

NCL has already confirmed that Norwegian Jade, with its highly distinctive multi-coloured hull art work, will return to Southampton for a further programme of cruises in 2009.