The flagship of the British merchant marine, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 is back in Southampton at the end of her annual world cruise on Thursday to begin her season of transatlantic crossings to New York.

P&O Cruises' superliner Aurora will be alongside the Western Docks on the same day before departing for a 12-day voyage to the Mediterranean at 5pm.

The following day sees the arrival and departure of the 24,474-ton Saga Rose, last in Southampton early in January.