PASSENGERS headed into Dorset this morning when a giant cruise ship docked at Portland Port.

Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas remains moored at the port .

Ted Toop, who skippers the Portland Port tug Maiden Castle on a part-time basis, captured some pictures of the liner alongside at Portland.

Mr Toop said the 294 metre cruise ship is believed to be the biggest vessel ever to enter the inner harbour and berth at Portland’s outer coaling pier.

Excursions for the passengers include trips to Salisbury, Stonehenge and Corfe Castle but the holidaymakers could also stay local.

The Brilliance of the Seas is among 18 ships booked in to call into Portland Port over the summer – with some visiting several times – making a total of 30 visits.

Ian McQuade, commercial general manager at Portland Port, told members of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce earlier in the spring that about 30,000 cruise ship passengers will be docking at the port this season.