SOUTHAMPTON'S Queen Mary 2 - the biggest and most expensive liner in the history of shipping - is set to leave the city's port for her maiden voyage on January 12, 2004.

The massive vessel, which has a price tag of half a billion pounds, is due to set sail from the Southampton Docks, bound for Fort Lauderdale, in just under two years' time.

Fourteen days after her departure, Cunard's new flagship will dock in Florida to an anticipated tumultuous welcome. The newly built pride of the British merchant fleet will sail 17 transatlantic crossings during her first year of operation.

Fares for a berth in one of the super liner's luxurious 1,400 staterooms start at just over £2,000 for the Florida crossing.

The 150,000-tonne vessel will also take over the role currently operated by her sister ship, QE2, as Cunard's transatlantic flagship.

Her maiden crossing from her home port of Southampton to New York will depart on April 16. On her maiden eastbound crossing from the Big Apple she will be joined by the QE2. Both liners will depart on April 26 for the six-day crossing together.

The day in New York will also be the first time that the two liners have been berthed in the port together since the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary arrived in the United States in March, 1940.

The year will also see QM2 offer nine Caribbean cruises, a voyage to Rio and back, five European cruises and two taking in Canada and the east coast of America.

Bookings will be open to the public on August 1, 2002. "Sailaway" fares offer savings of around 20 per cent on selected categories of crossing.