Liverpool has witnessed the rebirth of a multi-million pound tourism industry

The great Cunard vessel appeared in the Mersey, thousands lined the Pier Head to get a final glimpse of the QE2 and offer a warm welcome to the most famous liner in the world on her final ever visit to Liverpool.

Major preparations are underway for the final visit of QE2 to Liverpool Cruise Terminal on Friday 3rd October 2008.

Liverpool's first full cruise season in 40 years begins this week - signalling a multi-million pound tourism boost to the current European Capital of Culture

Transocean's Astor arrived in Liverpool today to mark the start of the European Capital of Culture's first full season of operations at its new cruise liner berth.

Fishery protection vessel HMS Severn will become the first Royal Navy ship to visit Liverpool since the city become European Capital of Culture for 2008 when she sails up the River Mersey this week (31 January - 4 February)

Liverpool's new cruise berth has been reassembled after two 65mtr sections were removed for unscheduled dry dock inspections two weeks after its official opening.

Two of the four floating pontoons have been unhooked from the stage and taken into dry dock at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead. They will remain there for approx 6 weeks whilst undergoing tests required by Lloyds Register.

The success of the QE2 visit to Liverpool had clearly spread quickly and many of the cruise industries key decision makers and itinerary planners were keen to discuss the new cruise terminal in Liverpool

Today's visit of the world's most famous ship coincided with the opening of the city's £19m cruise liner terminal at Princes Dock.

The tall ship Mercedes arrived on the cruise berth at 16.00 today to mark the start of the Clipper round the world yacht race