Queen Elizabeth II names new cruise ship 'Britannia'

Updated: 2015-03-11 10:53

(Xinhua)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (L) sit with Captain Paul Brown during the christening ceremony of P&O's new cruise liner "Britannia", in Southampton, southern England March 10, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON -- The Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday officially named a new cruise ship Britannia in Southampton.

With a capacity of 3,600 passengers and about 1,500 crew, the giant vessel is the largest cruise ship designed specifically for the British market, according to its operator P&O.

It said the ship cost nearly 500 million pounds($754.37 million), and was built in Italy. It sailed back to its home port in Southampton last week.