"Saga Sapphire", "Braemar", "Oriana" & "Queen Elizabeth" depart from Southampton - 06/01/2013

Sunday 6th January 2013 saw four cruise ships moored in Southampton Docks preparing for cruises to either the Caribbean or around the world. P&O Cruises' "Oriana" was at the 'Mayflower' Cruise Terminal with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' "Braemar" at the 'City' Cruise Terminal, Cunard's "Queen Elizabeth" at the 'Ocean' Cruise Terminal and Saga Cruises' "Saga Sapphire" at the 'QEII' Terminal. Both "Saga Sapphire" and "Braemar" were due to depart at 16:00 but were both delayed because of the arrival of the Container Ship "OOCL Long Beach" from Hamburg. "Saga Sapphire" then left at 16:18 and "Braemar" at 16:23. Both ships were headed for Funchal, Madeira. "Oriana" was next to leave, originally scheduled for 16:30 and left at 16:54 heading for Ponta Delgada. She exchanged salutes with "Queen Elizabeth" as she sailed past. Finally, "Queen Elizabeth" departed pretty much on time at 17:29 receiving a fireworks send-off to start her 2013 World Cruise. Her first Port of Call would also be Funchal, Madeira.