THOUSANDS of people lined the Solent coastline last night to watch P&O's seven cruise liners leave Southampton.
Even some truly dismal weather could not spoil the amazing sight which unfolded on Southampton Water, the like of which had never been seen in the city before.
The ships Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Oceana, Oriana, and Ventura slipped their moorings in the Eastern and Western Docks and headed line astern out into the Solent.
Billed as the Grand Event, it took two years to organise this one-off celebration to mark the 175th anniversary of P&O Cruises.
As the ships formed up and made their way down Southampton Water, the Princess Royal boarded the Trinity House vessel Patricia, which was escorted by the Royal Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer, HMS Dragon, out into the Solent.
She reviewed the fleet and took the salute as the seven ships went their separate ways, heading for the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Scandinavia and the Canary Islands.
Thousands lined the waterfront to see the ships, with Hythe Pier and the nearby marina packed solid with people.
The seven ships were followed along Southampton Water by a flotilla of ships including passenger ferries, pleasure craft, yachts and even jet skis.
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