IT was a dramatic sight in Southampton Water last night as Southampton's latest cruise ship, state-of-the-art Anthem of the Seas, left on her maiden voyage and met one of her giant sisters coming in to the Hampshire port.
Anthem of the Seas passed Explorer of the Seas, who is also to be based in Southampton for the summer after undergoing a multi-million pound refit.
The two ships saluted each other while helicopters flew overhead as Anthem's first paying passengers left on the maiden voyage.
Earlier in the evening Anthem's guests had arrived to find they were on the red carpet at Southampton City Cruise Terminal.
Royal Caribbean had arranged for 50 actors to play the part of an excited Oscars-style crowd as the guests checked in.
Picture by Simon Brooke-Webb
Actors also played the parts of celebrity lookalikes including Elton John and Simon Cowell to provide an extra twist of glamour.
Both ships will sail from Southampton to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands until the autumn.
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