"Queen Victoria", "Balmoral" & "Arcadia" depart from Southampton - 05/01/2013

Saturday 5th January saw the first big day for cruise ships visiting Southampton Docks for 2013. Two years ago, there were six ships in (P&O Cruises' "Arcadia", Saga Cruises' "Saga Ruby", Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' "Black Watch" & "Balmoral" and Cunard's "Queen Elizabeth" & "Queen Victoria"; last year, there were four ships in ("Queen Elizabeth" & "Balmoral" along with Fred. Olsen's "Boudicca" and P&O's "Oriana"); and this year there were three ("Arcadia", "Balmoral" & "Queen Victoria"). The first of the three ships to depart was "Queen Victoria" from the 'Ocean' Cruise Terminal at 16:35. Her destination is Hamburg, Germany and returning to Southampton to begin her World Cruise on Thursday 10th. She followed the Ro/Ro ship MV "Athens Highway" which had departed from Berth 40 roughly fifteen minutes earlier. "Balmoral" was the second ship to depart, from the 'City' Cruise Terminal at 16:44. Her destination was Funchal, Madeira on the first leg of her World Cruise. Finally, "Arcadia" departed at 18:00 to a great firework display from the 'Mayflower' Cruise Terminal on her own World Cruise, first port of call being Tenerife. Both "Balmoral" and "Arcadia" will return from their World Cruises in April. Viewed from the Town Quay.