Thousands of American passengers came ashore from the 90,000 ton mega cruiseship Jewel of the Seas yesterday when she made her inaugural visit to the port.

Her Norwegian master Captain Thore Thorolvsen said the European cruise season is beginning two weeks earlier this year and in 2008 it will be earlier again as the cruise companies realise the full potential of northern Europe.

Tendering so many people ashore is a nightmare for the ship but all went according to plan with a fleet of tenders and local pleasure boats bringing people to the docks.

The ship returns in June for another call when she may well be coming into the Cross Channel anchorage in the Carrick Roads as she is fitted with a fully computerised dynamic positioning system that will allow her to remain stationary in one position without anchoring using global positioning, engines and thrusters.