Cruise ship Costa Concordia embarked on its final voyage in Giglio Island, Italy, on Wednesday.

Hundreds of people, including those who survived the ship's sinking more than two years ago, looked on as the once luxury cruise ship made its final voyage.

The rusting cruise liner was lifted from its watery grave and was towed to the Mediterranean bay in what was considered as the biggest salvage operation in maritime history. As the final cables were cut, the ties between the Tuscan and Giglio islands were severed.

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"We've done it! She's off!" shouted one of the specialists who salvaged the ship as he poured out champagne to the crown.

The tourists cheered loudly as the church bells signaled the ship's release.

The ship, which is double the size of Titanic, will be transferred to Genoa, Italy, where it will be completely dismantled. It is expected to reach Genoa on Sunday.

The salvage includes a massive operation of 18 men, accompanied by a dozen of maritime vessels and two huge tug boats that pulled the wreckage at a minimum speed of two knots or 2.3 miles per hour.

"This is a big day for Giglio but we'll only be able to relax once it reaches Genoa," said Nick Sloane, head of the salvage operation.

Franklin Fitzgerald, a Texan industrial diver, said that his participation in the Concordia salvage was "one of the proudest moments of my career. It's a very happy day for all of us."

The Concordia left on the evening of Jan. 13, 2012, with 4,229 passengers from 70 countries on board. The luxury ship hit a rock formation around Giglio, causing it to sink and leave at least 32 people dead.

The biggest cruise ship in the world was built the length of tripled soccer fields. It has four swimming pools, 13 bars, tennis courts, a casino and a cinema. 

TagsItaly, Cruise Ship, Costa Concordia