PORTLAND Port has welcomed its biggest cruise ship ever.

Docking at 6am yesterday, the luxurious 99,500 ton MS Koningsdam is the newest ship from the prestigious Holland America Line.

Following the arrival of the 295m Mein Schiff last week, the 300m Koningsdam has taken the title as the largest ship ever to visit Portland.

The 2,653 passenger cruise liner made a fleeting 12 hour stopover before departing to sail the Bay of Biscay on route to Spain.

General commercial manager at Portland Port Ian McQuade said: "We never take it for granted that Portland will be one of the ports the ships dock at and we are very grateful when they do.

“With our proximity to UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Jurassic Coast we feel we are well positioned to serve an ever increasing range of cruise line customers."

Yesterday morning the ship's captain, Emiel De Vries, was bestowed with a ceremonial plaque made from Portland stone.

Captain De Vries said: "This is a brand new ship, it has a bit of a different feel to it and we are all quite excited about it. The theme throughout is music, which you will see in the artwork and design, sometimes it is obvious and sometimes a little more abstract."

Among its numerous pools and seven gourmet restaurants the 14-deck vessel boasts a culinary art centre, a casino, a Microsoft technology suite and a 630 seat theatre.

It is decorated with fresh flowers shipped weekly from Amsterdam for a cost of $7000.

Bill Reeves, Chief Executive of Portland Port said: "Back in 2000 we had three cruise ships. This year we have had 15 vessels amounting to 17,000 passengers, and next year we will have 22 vessels and 33,000 passengers.

"The Channel is a big sea motorway, from that point of view we are like a service station."

While the ship is in port passengers take advantage of numerous coach trips to the heritage sites of Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and Corfe Castle.

Mr Reeves added: "Although there are many trips on offer, most guests choose to explore Weymouth.

“A survey conducted last year estimated that each passenger spends €62 in the town and crew members €28. By those figures, cruise ships will bring in £2m next year, a lot of money for the local economy, especially in a town the size of Weymouth."

Next month work will begin on a £3m berth extension which will enable vessels in excess of 340m to dock in the port.

The Koningsdam left Portland shortly after 7pm last night following a parade from the Weymouth Concert Brass and a three gun salute from the Nothe Fort military re-enactment volunteers.