ONE hundred years ago a world famous shipping company started a longstanding relationship with Southampton.

Today, Cunard is celebrating 100 years since the move of its New York express liner service from Liverpool to Southampton.

The line's famed Mauretania set sail on 18 November 1919, bound for New York.

Since that time Cunard has formed a "longstanding and important" relationship with Southampton, which has resulted in the formation of the country’s premier cruise port.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary, Cunard's current flagship Queen Mary 2 (QM2) will set sail today on a celebratory transatlantic crossing, exactly 100 years to-the-week of Mauretania's first Southampton call.

While the QM2 has a a planetarium, the world's largest seagoing ballroom, luxury restaurants and spacious cabins, Mauritania had far fewer public rooms or amenities, no entertainment staff and no en-suite bathrooms.

During this voyage, QM2 will host a variety of special on board activities and events to pay tribute to Cunard's relationship with Southampton.

Southampton's Sea City Museum will be displaying a specially collected travelling exhibition on board, with items on display that reflect the long history of both Cunard and Britain's leading maritime city.

The enrichment program will feature renowned guest speakers including Cunard expert, Chris Frame - author of 16 maritime books -, who will share his knowledge on the importance of this last century for Cunard, and Penny Legg, author of several books on the history of Southampton.

As well as this, world-class maritime artist Robert Lloyd will sail aboard, completing a special 'live' painting on board during the voyage.

Chris Frame, who worked with Sea City to curate the exhibition, said: "The line’s decision to relocate its express services to Southampton brought with it trade and commerce that helped transform Southampton into Britain’s leading passenger shopping port.”

“Cunard’s first Southampton voyage aboard Mauritania was a significant milestone in the history of both Southampton and Cunard.

"Mauritania was the words fastest liner and famous across the world as the holder of the prestigious Blue Riband.

"In 1919, Mauritania was the ‘Concorde of passenger ships’ so it was no surprise that she was chosen to inaugurate a very important route that linked Southampton with New York.”