LIVERPOOL’S new cruise liner made a perfect entry into her home-port yesterday, as befitted her regal name.

M/V Boudicca, under the command of Liverpool pilot Phil Mitchell and Captains Jan Thommassen and Atle Knutsen safely berthed at Langton Dock Cruise Terminal.

Her owner, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, was anxious about the tricky docking of this 28,000 gross ton, 600ft long, 82ft wide liner.

In spite of the tight fit into Langton lock, this maiden arrival went without a hitch, to the line’s relief.

Boudicca is three times the size of her predecessor, the 400-berth Black Prince, which made her farewell sailing last October.

However, all 856 berths were full on Boudicca’s maiden departure at 12.30 this morning for a 14-night cruise to the Canaries and Morocco.

Wendy Hooper-Greehill, of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We’re thrilled with the response to Boudicca.

“We’re selling twice as many berths as on Black Prince’s cruises and demand out of Liverpool has exceeded expectations.

“On average, 95% of the Liverpool berths are sold, which is incredible.

“Two other cruises are also full, the Western Mediterranean on April 29 and the Norwegian fjords on May 13.”

This is all the more impressive as the Langton Dock Terminal was voted the worst in Britain by cruise passengers.