A couple from Sussex were among the first to board he world's largest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, for its maiden voyage yesterday.

Margaret and Bruce Ford, from Newhaven, were among passengers who paid between £2,500 and £27,000 each for the 15-day voyage.

Stepping aboard, they laughed off fears the ship would be rocked by 100mph winds.

The 150,000-ton Cunard ship's course will take it through some of the worst-hit areas on the first leg of its journey from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The couple said they were disappointed storms had been forecast but were determined not to let it ruin their trip.

Mr Ford, a 63-year-old engineer, said: "It is a bit of a shame the forecast is so bad but it could make for a funny trip.

"The weather is bound to make things amusing.

"As long as my soup doesn't end up in my lap I will be fine.

"If the rolling around does get bad on board we have lots of great stop-offs in the Canaries and Barbados to make up for it."

Mrs Ford, 61, said: "I was pleased as punch when I found out I would be travelling on the QM2.

"It's certainly one to tell the grandchildren."

Singer Dame Shirley Bassey checked in with fellow passengers and revealed she would perform during the two-week luxury cruise.

Just before she boarded, the glamorous diva said: "I am very much looking forward to the cruise and I am as excited as a little kid at the moment.

"I cruised on the original Queen Mary a long time ago and the QE2 so I am eager to compare the three ships.

"I have been asked by Cunard to sing during one of the evenings.

"I've never sung on a cruise ship before so it is going to be great."

The Met Office issued an advanced weather warning of force 11 gales and heavy rain.

A Coastguard spokesman said it would require great concentration to steer the ship through the storms.

He said: "The people on the bridge will have to have their wits about them."

The liner will dock in Madeira, Tenerife and Las Palmas before crossing the Atlantic then stopping at the Caribbean islands of Barbados and St Thomas.

It arrives in Fort Lauderdale on January 26 when passengers fly back to the UK.

Penny Guy, a spokeswoman for Cunard, said: "It has been built to cope with any weather conditions thrown at it and will not be affected by the storms."