The German woman went missing while on board the ship on New Year's Eve, according to Cunard.

Family and friends could not find her as the ship travelled from Funchal in Madeira to Southampton.

An emergency search was carried out by the crew, but no sign of the passenger was found. Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Detectives from Hampshire police are now interviewing the woman's husband and QE2 staff.

Southampton-based Cunard said it could not comment further as it was now "a matter for the police".