Britannia cruise ship rolls out red carpet for the Queen

"This country has changed since we introduced the first modern cruise ship for Britain," he said.

"Look at our skylines, our hotels and our restaurants. Our tastes are far more sophisticated. This is Britain's cruise brand and we wanted to build something to reflect that."

Alongside British wines, beers, gins and cheeses and menus that reflect modern British dining are hundreds of pieces of specially commissioned art - the majority by female artists.

In a welcome speech in the ship's eye-catching atrium last night, Rob Brydon, the actor who starred in the ship's TV advertising campaign, said he had "taken a shine to cruising."

"You can have lunch with Marco Pierre White off Lefkada, sink a few Bollies with Olly Smith and be doing the two-step with Tess Daly in the library at teatime."

The ship cost 473m (Photo: James Morgan)

With tongue firmly in cheek he described the three floor Atrium, with its dramatic Star Burst installation as being "as grand as Elton John's downstairs loo" and "crowned by an earring donated by Beyonce".

The ship's atrium is 'as grand as Elton John's downstairs loo'

Last night's gala evening welcomed celebrities on board the ship for a celebratory dinner and fireworks.

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Britannia cruise ship rolls out red carpet for the Queen