PORTLAND welcomed an unexpected visitor from the high seas.

Cruise ship MV Azores docked at Portland Port yesterday (Fri) after poor weather prompted the shipping company Cruise and Maritime Voyages to order a diversion.

The ship was due to dock at Bristol earlier this week at the end of a voyage to the West Indies but due to adverse weather and sea conditions in the Atlantic a 'precautionary decision' was taken to divert the ship for an un-scheduled call in Lisbon until conditions improved.

Azores then called at Portland where the cruise was terminated due to very tight tidal restrictions at Avonmouth.

It is next due to sail to Norway for a 'Land of the Northern Lights' cruise and will remain at Portland until next Friday. Passengers due to join the ship at Bristol will be transported by coach to Portland.

The Azores is no stranger to Portland, having visited the island on previous cruises.

Portland has seen a boom in the cruise ship industry and 2014 saw a record-breaking summer with more than 24,000 passengers visiting. A number of ships will be visiting this year.

Staff hope Portland Port gets full consideration for inclusion in many 2016 itineraries