A Maltese-flagged cruise ship which is also one of the most environmentally-advanced vessels of its type, has set sail on its maiden cruise.

The Celebrity Equinox is in the Norwegian Fjords and will later head for the Mediterranean for the first of a series of East Med cruises starting from Civitavecchia.

It will then cross the Atlantic for late autumn and winter cruises in the Caribbean.

The 122,000 ton ship carries more than 200 solar panels, a special silicon coating of the hull to reduce resistance and fuel consumption as the ship moves through the water, special glass to reduce heat transfer and advanced waste water purification systems.

Richard D. Fain, chairman of Celebrity Cruises and chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises said the group was proud to fly the Maltese Cross on one of the most environmentally advanced cruise ships in the World.

"We are grateful to the government of Malta for tirelessly working to make the shipping register one of the most respected in the World.”

The Celebrity Equinox is the ninth Maltese flagged ship owned by Celebrity Cruises.