RESIDENTS have been treated to the sight of two cruise liners off West Bay this week.

The two ships arrived separately less than 24-hours apart and it is understood that they are in the area to take shelter from the easterly winds.

The Marella Discovery, operated by TUI, was the first to arrive at the bay. It appeared on the evening of Monday, February 8 to the surprise of residents.

The multi-million vessel first launched in 1996 and features 11 decks, 918 cabins, seven bars, restaurants and two swimming pools.

The Marella Discovery has previously been anchored in Weymouth Bay, along with other large cruise ships during the coronavirus pandemic.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, February 9, the Discovery was joined by the Marella Explorer 2.

The ship, owned by TUI, is an adults-only cruise liner with a range of exciting facilities, from a Champneys Spa to a chic bar-club-casino space. It is the newest ship in the TUI fleet.

It had was last been reported at Babbacombe Bay in South Devon on Monday, February 8.

Cruise ships have been mooring along the south coast since cruises were suspended as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, which put a stop to all commercial sailings. These ships have generally been stopping at Weymouth and Bournemouth, however, and West Bay has not been one of the preferred mooring spots.

TUI has announced a further suspension of its voyages, with European sailings provisionally planned to start in April, with long-haul voyages returning in May.

The Foreign Office still advises against any foreign travel, including on commercial cruise ships.