But while his Mercury space vessel emphasised speed and scientific exploration, the floating vessel emphasises relaxation and luxury.

The sun broke through the dark clouds when Scott's wife Patricia, the ship's official godmother, released a giant sized bottle filled with 20 litres of champagne to christen the vessel Mercury. She now joins her sister ships, the Horizon, the Zenith, the Century and the Galaxy.

Built at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. the 77,713-ton vessel was designed by Jon Bannenberg, combining elegance with state of the art technology.

Its public areas tend to flow into each other. As you come on board the ship, the Grand Foyer rises four decks and is the focal point of activity with its wraparound staircase that leads into the ship's clubs, and specialty shops. This is noticed also on pool deck where the Palm Springs Cafe, serving breakfast and lunch, is conveniently located next to the large La Playa pool with its mobile magrodome glass skyroof.

Walking forward from the pool area, the space naturally flows into the AquaSpa, health club with exercise facilities overlooking a wonderful sea vista. Here one can work off calories or indulge in a revitalising oriental Rasul treatment or in soothing hydrotherapy baths.

The main dining room - the elegant two-tiered Manhattan Restaurant - is located in aft part on 5 deck. Here floor to ceiling windows in the rear of the restaurant allow diners to have sweeping views of the sea. The tables are properly set for an impressive menu created by master chef Michel Roux.

A favourite area of mine was the forward-situated Navigator Lounge with its 15-foot wrap around windows. The lounge doubles as an observation/relaxation spot during daytime hours where passengers can quietly read, but in the evening the lounge is transformed into a lively disco.

The other favourite was the Celebrity Treater with its deep reds color scheme. Here Broadway-style shows are presented. The five-tier area holds 925 seats and features a revolving stage equipped with advanced lighting and special-effects technology.

With families in mind, an open-air play area for tots was created; and shipboard activities include an experimental indoor/outdoor environment for older youngsters as well as popular computer games and a Teenage Room complete with disco.

Mercury sails regularly from her home port of Fort Lauderdale to the western Caribbean with calls at Cozumel on Mexico's eastern coast, Montego Bay, and then on to the Grand Cayman Island and Key West, Florida.