Cruise ship begins journey home

The ship will set sail on its maiden voyage in April

A new 115,000-tonne cruise ship has set sail for its home port of Southampton ahead of its official entry into passenger service.

Ventura, which can carry up to 3,600 passengers, will be named by actress Dame Helen Mirren at the Hampshire port on 16 April.

Built for British holidaymakers, the vessel was handed over to P&O Cruises at the Fincantieri shipyard, Italy.

The ship will leave for her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean in April.

Ventura is equipped with five swimming pools, 11 restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, five shops, a library, casino and theatre, and will be staffed by 1,200 crew.

Also, it has thousands of works of contemporary art. At 290 metres (317yds) in length, the ship is longer than Tower Bridge and has 15 passenger decks.