 Mrs Prescott's husband is a former shop steward |
The south of England's newest and most modern cruise terminal has been officially opened, ready for the arrival of the world's largest cruise liner, the Queen Mary 2. The Queen Elizabeth 2 terminal in Southampton has undergone a �2m modernisation programme to allow it to accommodate up to 50% more passengers.
The official opening was made at lunchtime on Friday by Pauline Prescott, wife of Deputy Prime Minister and former ship's steward, John Prescott.
The Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to arrive in the port in December, and begin regular sailings in 2004.
 The Queen Mary 2 will arrive in Southampton in December |
The newly refurbished terminal on Southampton Water has been the home of the QE2 liner for 30 years. The Queen Mary 2, at �540m the most expensive passenger ship in the world, will replace the QE2 on transatlantic crossings after making a symbolic trip to New York alongside the ship in April 2004.
With a length of 345 metres, the Queen Mary 2 is 45 metres longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower and as tall as a 23-storey building.
She will carry 2,620 passengers in luxurious accommodation, with 1,250 crew.
Associated British Ports say the terminal's refurbishment completes this year's �10m overhaul of all Southampton's cruise ship facilities.
One-Minute World News 
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