THE Port of Southampton served as the first stop on the maiden voyage of a new cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship Norwegian Encore was officially welcomed to the port on Saturday after setting off from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

The traditional Plaque and Key ceremony took place on board following her arrival where crests were exchanged between the ship and the port as part of her first visit to Southampton.

Encore is the cruise line’s ‘Breakaway Plus Class’ has a capacity of nearly 4,000 passengers and made a grand entrance to the port. She took on passengers before leaving on her maiden cruise to New York.

The new cruise vessel will spend her first season cruising the Western Caribbean following her naming ceremony in Miami on November 21, where American singer Kelly Clarkson will be named as the ship’s official godmother.

Alastair Welch, ABP Regional Director for Southampton, said: “We’re proud to have been the first port of call for this beautiful new ship.

"We have been welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line ships to the port for many years and are excited that the Port of Southampton is playing a significant part in the launch of Norwegian Encore.”