THE finishing touches have been made to the paintwork on Southampton’s new super cruise ship.

Britannia, the largest cruise ship ever built for the British market, will boast the world’s longest contemporary version of the Union flag adorning the bow as P&O launches the new livery of its fleet.

Painters were photographed putting on the new Union flag in Monfalcone, Italy.

They used 580 litres of paint in total, 320 of red, 100 litres of blue and 160 litres for the big logo of P&O on the front of the bow.

The bold new look celebrates the firm’s heritage and will also see the ships have distinctive blue funnels carrying an illuminated rising sun motif, which depicts the Oriental part of the Peninsular and Oriental (P&O) name on the company’s coat of arms.

All eight ships will begin to embrace on their bow the new Union flag, styled in a contemporary way which looks to the future, while celebrating the past.

It is hoped the new livery will re-energise the brand and celebrate its British credentials.

Britannia is set to take to the seas in March next year after |it is officially named in a glittering ceremony in Southampton.

Special features on board Britannia will include The Cookery Club, a 24-person state-of-the-art cookery school developed in association with James Martin; a three-tier feature atrium with Eric Lanlard patisserie, a charcuterie and gelateria as well as spectacular Star Burst sculpture; Sindhu restaurant by Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith’s The Glass House; gala menus created by Marco Pierre White; plus The Limelight Club, a combined entertainment and dining venue in the tradition of the supper club.