A majestic 294m cruise ship wowed onlookers in North Shields on Sunday as it sailed into the Port of Tyne.
The luxurious cruise liner dwarfed its surroundings as it passed through the mouth of the Tyne and down past the Royal Quays Marina. Families turned out along the length of the river to admire it as it sailed along the sparkling water.
Capable of carrying more than 2,000 passengers as well as 980 crew members, the ship was returning from Barbados ahead of its season of voyages.
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In 2019, the Queen Victoria made her first visit to the Port of Tyne as part of a 12-night voyage around the British Isles. She was greeted by a Northumbrian piper in celebration of her maiden call at the port.
Pictures taken inside the ship at the time show the luxurious interior in all its glory. You can take a look at them here:
On board, passengers can access a full theatre, a ballroom, a traditional pub, a champagne bar and a club with a 270-degree view of the sea. There is also a spa and gym, a pool, a large sunning area and an incredible 6,000-book library.
The sight of impressive cruise liners is a popular one in the North East, often drawing people out to the shore and river banks to wave them on their way. This vessel's sister ship, The Queen Elizabeth, sailed into port in October last year, with people once again turning out to watch it sail past.
According to Travel Weekly, this ship has spent the winter in Barbados where it has been used to accommodate cruise passengers who tested positive for Covid-19, as they are not allowed to self-isolate in hotels on the island. It is scheduled to leave the Port of Tyne on April 24.
Sailing from Southampton, the ship will set off on its 'Baltic Explorer' journey on April 27 on a 16-day cruise taking in the likes of Copenhagen and the pretty Lithuanian town of Klaipeda, with passengers paying fares of around £2,999 per person for a room with a balcony, based on two sharing.
