SUPERLINER Arcadia was due to arrive in her home port of Southampton today at the end of a week-long voyage from her builder's yard in Italy.

Arcadia is set to join Oriana, Aurora, Oceana and, later this year, Artemis as part of the P&O Cruises' fleet of vessels based in the city.

After making her way up Southampton Water for the first time, the £200m Arcadia is scheduled to come alongside the Mayflower Terminal in the city's Western Docks at 12 noon. Next Tuesday the ship, which was originally destined to enter service as Queen Victoria under the Cunard flag but was then switched to P&O Cruises, will be named by Athens Olympic double gold medal athlete Dame Kelly Holmes in a spectacular quayside celebration on Southampton's waterfront.

Members of the public will be able to watch the ceremony that will be broadcast live on a giant screen in Mayflower Park next to the Western Docks.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "With the silhouette of Arcadia forming an impressive backdrop, the event will conclude with a thrilling firework display. Entrance is free and the broadcast will begin at 7.15pm.''

36-page Arcadia supplement, pictured above, is published in today's Daily Echo, celebrating the arrival of P&O's newest cruise ship in her home port of Southampton.