Today August 13, is a big day for Cunard Line as their first ship resumes operations with passengers after a 17 month break. Queen Elizabeth will depart from Southampton Ocean Terminal later this evening on her first UK Coastal Cruise. The vessel will sail a series of British Isles itineraries until the end of the summer before returning to international sailings in October this year.

Cunard's international voyages on board Queen Elizabeth will start in October with a cruise from Southampton to Amsterdam followed by a 14-night voyage to the Canary Islands and Madeira this November.

"I think I speak for the entire team at Cunard when I say how delighted we are to be returning to what we do best as we get ready to welcome our guests back on board," said Cunard President Simon Palethorpe this week.

"We know how much our guests have been looking forward to our first voyage and we hope that they fully immerse themselves in the Cunard on board experience, as they enjoy some of the most stunning coastlines Britain has to offer," Palethorpe added.