A LUXURY cruise ship carrying 2,000 passengers made its maiden stop on a voyage around the British Isles here in the North-East.

Queen Victoria’s first stop on the 12-night cruise was at The Port of Tyne, giving travellers a chance to explore all the region has to offer.

Guests could enjoys excursions to Segedunum in Wallsend, Beamish Museum in Durham, and the landmarks of NewcastleGateshead.

Elegant and opulent, Queen Victoria is reminiscent of the golden age of cruising.

The 294m long ship, which had a £34 million refit in 2017, has 981 crew, 12 passenger decks, boasts a museum containing Cunard memorabilia, a ballroom, theatre, 6000-book library and an English pub, Champagne bar and the Hemisphere Club with a 270-degree aspect.

The visit marks the first call from Cunard since the QE2 in 2008 on its farewell tour.

Andy Foster, commercial manager, Port Services, stepped on-board to welcome the ship’s captain and crew.

He said: “We’re delighted to welcome Cunard’s Queen Victoria, almost 20 years after we welcomed Cunard’s Royal Viking Sun, our first ever cruise call, on 30 August 1999.

“In celebration of Queen Victoria’s maiden call, the Port of Tyne arranged for a Northumbrian Piper to welcome her arrival, alongside the traditional plaque exchange on-board.”

The Queen Victoria set sail from Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay at North Shields at 7.30pm last night, bound for Edinburgh.