Liverpool's resurgence as a premier maritime destination took another leap forwards on Tuesday, with the arrival of the world's largest ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2.
The ship, which carries 2620 passengers and nearly 1000 crew members, arrived in the Mersey at around 11.00am and was greeted by tens of thousands of awe-struck onlookers.
Although the 150,000 ton Cunard vessel was built almost exclusively for trans-atlantic crossings to New York, she is currently mid-way through a round Britain tour, and landed in Liverpool as part of her 5th anniversary celebrations.
The occasion will be marked on-board by two concerts performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Rising a staggering 200 ft above the waterline, the ship cut an awe inspiring image against the city's famous skyline.
But Tuesday's visit would not have been possible until the recent opening of Liverpool's state-of-the-art Cruise Liner Terminal.
Hoylake-born Capt Robin Woodall was responsible for Cunard's previous flagship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, when it docked in the Mersey in 1990.
He said; "It was a nightmare. The fast-flowing tide scours the the riverbed and our anchors couldn't grip".
However, mooring the stunning vessel safely was a rather more leisurely experience for today's captain, Commodore Bernard Warner.
The Queen Mary 2 will remain in Liverpool until 11pm on Tuesday evening, when a magnificent fireworks display will send her off in style.
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