IT'S official - Southampton's cruise terminal is in seventh heaven.

The city has cemented its reputation as the cruise capital of Europe after being named Britain's top departure port for the seventh consecutive year.

Southampton has scooped the title of Best UK Departure Port in the 2015 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards.

And popular cruise lines sailing from and based in the city have won a string of glittering accolades.

Now civic leaders and maritime heads have praised the title as a show of the city's reputation and economic might.

It follows this summer's announcement that the city retained its position as Europe's largest embarkation and disembarkation port - with 1.57 million passengers passing through in 2014 and contributing £2million to the local economy.

And the numbers could rise to 1.75 million this year, according to global organisation the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The distinguished awards are run annually by the global leading cruise review site.

The Carnival group - based in Harbour Parade - has won two major awards.

The coveted Best New Ship award went to Britannia - which this year debuted as the biggest vessel built for the UK market - with a flagship naming ceremony by the Queen.

The ship had 75,000 guests sail on it since then and Cruise Critic judges hailed its "sophisticated" decor and design and "outstanding" dining.

P&O Cruises - which is owned by the group - retained overall award for Best Dining for the second year running, mainly down to Britannia's influence.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said: "We are the biggest the best and most successful cruise port in northern Europe and this is something to be really proud of and sing from the rooftops.

"This with Carnival's success shows how demonstrably great business is in Southampton and it shows firms that this is the place to be."

He said the industry's buoyant success can help leverage greater funding from government to improve the region's transport links P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: "We are delighted to be recognised this way.

"Dining is a key element of any holiday and we work very closely with out group of Food Heroes, including Marco Pierre White, James Martin, Eric Lanlard, Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith. They all travel on board very regularly and are involved in all aspects of the restaurants, bars and Britannia's Cookery Club as well as hosted foodie shore excursions."

Meanwhile Royal Caribbean which sails from the city scooped three accolades for Best Entertainment, Best Suites and Best for Families.

Cruise line Fred Olsen won the Best Itineries, while liner the Celebrity Eclipse won Best Refurbishment.