SOUTHAMPTON'S Queen Eliza-beth 2 set sail from the city's docks for a new era in her long history yesterday.

The flagship of the British merchant marine left Southampton for Bremerhaven, Germany where the 70,327-ton vessel will undergo a multi-million pound refit.

QE2's five star luxury is set to be upgraded to even higher standards during wide-ranging work which sees the ship out of service for a month.

Owner's Cunard say the £19.5 million refit underlines the company's long term commitment to the ship which earlier this year celebrated 30 years service on the trans-Atlantic route between Southampton and New York.

"This refit is the first stage of an overall masterplan we are developing for QE2,'' said Larry Pimentel, Cunard's president.

"Ths ship has a long life ahead of her and we are committed to maintaining, and improving even further, her already high standards.''

One of the most dramatic changes to the ship will be to the Queen's Room, now poised to undergo a major refurbishment, including carpeting interwoven with Tudor roses in gold and walls re-panelled in mahogany.

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