The deal will create the world's largest cruise vacation group

Of the votes cast at the company's extraordinary general meeting on Wednesday, 99.7% were in favour of the �3.5bn ($5.5bn) deal.

Company bosses say the move to combine P&O Princess and Carnival will create the world's largest cruise vacation group.

The combined group will have 66 ships with a further 17 on order equating to 100,000 berths and 42,300 berths respectively.

The transaction has now received all necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals and is expected to close on Thursday, 17 April.

'Benefits for customers'

Former chairman Lord Sterling of Plaistow, who is to become honorary life president of P&O Cruises, said: "As I retire as chairman of P&O Princess, I have the pleasure of knowing that our people, both at sea and on shore, will have a tremendous future working together with their Carnival colleagues in this new global cruising enterprise"

Micky Arison, who will become chairman and chief executive of the combined group, said: "Such an overwhelming vote in favour of the DLC transaction demonstrates the logic of combining our two companies.

"Our primary focus will now be on organic growth and extracting the benefits of the combination for shareholders and customers alike."

Carnival shareholders also voted to approve the transaction at a shareholder meeting held in New York.