NORWEGIAN EPIC, the latest $1.2bn NCL super cruise ship, has has now set sail for Southampton.

Her departure was delayed only a short time by what is being described as "technical difficulties" which mean the ship can only travel at half speed and will arrive seven-and-a-half hours late in Southampton tomorrow.

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Norwegian Epic, which was carrying several thousand paying passengers for the first time, was due in port at 10am tomorrow morning from Rotterdam, but will now arrive at 5.30pm.

Thousands of passengers booked on the one night cruise were offered a full refund plus compensation if they chose not to travel due to the change in itinerary.