The world’s biggest cruise ship, called the Queen Mary 2, is to be built by Cunard, the British shipping firm. The 344 metre-long ship, which will be built in France, will carry 2,800 passengers and should be launched in 2004. The ship will cost Cunard $750m (about £518m) to build and will be constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards in northwest France. Rolls-Royce has already signed a deal to provide engines for the new super-liner.

Cunard hopes that the ship, which will be as high as a 21-storey building, will evoke memories of the golden age of ocean travel.

It will initially undertake voyages between London and New York at speeds of more than 30 knots and will sail under the British flag.