A new £55million cruise terminal has opened its doors for the first time at the Port of Southampton.

MSC Cruises flagship, MSC Virtuousa, became the first vessel to dock at the new Horizon Cruise Terminal. The terminal was built in partnership with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

The new terminal offers shore power ‘plug in’ technology to allow ships to connect to the National Grid and is fitted with over 2,000 solar panels.

Alastair Welch, director of Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be building the infrastructure for the future of cruise with a commitment to sustainable operations.

“We marked the UK restart of cruise with MSC Virtuosa leaving the port with the first passengers on May 20 and we’re excited to announce this next significant milestone for the future of cruise in the Port of Southampton.

“This next-generation-ready terminal strengthens the Port of Southampton’s position as Europe’s leading cruise turn-around port and is a huge vote of confidence in the future of cruise.”