Life of luxury in cruise control

ONE of the biggest and most expensive cruise liners, the British-flagged Queen Elizabeth, arrived early at Station Pier yesterday, welcomed by dozens of waving Melburnians in old world fashion.

The 2092-passenger ship arrived about 8am and departed at 6pm - a visit expected to inject $1 million into the state's economy with well-heeled tourists popping out for a spot of shopping.

The ship is on a 103-night maiden voyage and will next visit Fremantle before returning to Southampton via Asia.

The brief Melbourne visit offered a glimpse aboard the luxury liner, where the guests pay up to $2595 a day (for a grand suite) to enjoy a ship filled with art deco flourishes, dark woods and marbled surfaces. Upon entry, guests walk through the triple-deck Grand Lobby, complete with curving staircases, giant chandeliers and, of course, a portrait of the Queen.

The liner has a total of 1046 rooms, and while prices vary depending on the cruise, they average about $248 per person per day for an inside cabin and $296 for an ocean-view cabin without a balcony. A balcony cabin is $363 and the grand suite is $2595.

There are more than 10 restaurants and cafes, two swimming pools, a Brideshead Revisited-style games deck with croquet and bowls, and a library with 6000 books. There is a two-deck Queen's Room ballroom with a formal evening each week, when guests frock up and the diamonds come out. There's also a three-deck Royal Court Theatre seating 800, with several private boxes complete with a butler serving champagne and canapes.

Queen Elizabeth captain Julian Burgess brought the ship in stern first yesterday morning to provide a better view of the city from the decks.

Minister for Tourism Louise Asher yesterday said record numbers of cruise ship passengers were expected in Melbourne next cruise season, with 58 ship visits expected at Victorian ports. She said international cruise ship passengers spent an average of $162 a day when visiting Melbourne.