The 'Queen Victoria' arrives at the Port Melbourne

Cunard's luxury cruise ship 'Queen Victoria' has arrived in Melbourne, the first Australian port of call on her maiden around-the-world voyage.

She docked on schedule at 7:00 a.m. at Melbourne's Station Pier. The ship was formally greeted on her arrival at 7:00 a.m. by a water cannon display and a traditional Aboriginal welcome. After leaving Southampton on January 6, Queen Victoria made her inaugural visit to the US West Coast city of Los Angeles before proceeding to Australia. Most of the 2,000 passengers, including more than 360 Australians, have disembarked and are being bussed into central Melbourne, and are expected to generate $1 million for the Victorian economy during their stopover. The 16-deck luxury liner, the second largest in the Cunard stable, offers 13 bars and clubs, seven restaurants including the two-storey Art Deco-style Britannia Restaurant, a cigar lounge, a casino, three pools, a 6,000-book library, including two librarians, and a $2.3 million art collection. Queen Victoria's famous older sister, the 'QE2', will make her 14th and final visit to Melbourne on February 29 during her final world voyage.

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