Queen Elizabeth to make maiden voyage

The new Queen Elizabeth - the second largest Cunard ocean liner to be built, is set to leave Southampton on her maiden voyage later today (12 October).

Built near Trieste, Italy, the 92,400-tonne vessel features more than 1,000 staterooms and a range of dining options, including the main dining room - the Britannia Restaurant. On board facilities include the Games Deck - offering paddle tennis, croquet and bowls; the Royal Arcade; and the 832-seat Royal Court Theatre, which covers three decks.

The 13,000sq ft (1,208sq m) Royal Spa occupies two levels and has been designed in an art deco style. The spa area includes pool and fitness facilities, as well as a number of treatment rooms. A hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite are housed in the Royal Bath House, adjacent to the main outdoor pool. Queen Elizabeth is set to be the first spa at sea to use Remède products, as well as Elemis.

Other treatments include the Royal Spa Self-Scrub and the Cellulite Reduction and Revitalising Leg Therapy by Ionithermie. A hair and nail salon is also included, as well as acupuncture. Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said: "The spa on Queen Elizabeth has been designed both with 'spa lovers' and 'first time spa goers' very much in mind.

"Importantly, there are many people today who would like to experience what a spa has to offer, but need us to lead them through the journey and allow them to choose from a range of simple treatments or just outright relaxation."