PORTLAND welcomes the biggest cruise ship ever to dock at the port today.

The Disney Magic is more than 300m long and has 2,809 passengers aboard, making it the biggest cruise ship to ever visit Portland Port.

The ship is due to arrive at 10.30am on Tuesday and is scheduled to depart at 7.15pm.

Pictures below by Steve Belasco/jurassicphotographic.com

Dorset Echo:

The port is preparing for several thousand people to potentially visit the area to try and get a glimpse of the ship.

Officials are asking that people do not attempt to visit the port unless access has been authorised in advance.

The berth that the ship will be docked at is not visible from Castletown, however, there are lots of good viewpoints in the local area.

This includes the Nothe Gardens and Sandsfoot Castle in Weymouth, and Hamm Beach, Billy Winters, Taste Café Chesil, The Boat That Rocks, and The Jailhouse Café, all on Portland.

Disney Cruise Lines launched in 1998 and has firmly established itself as a leader in the cruise industry.

Ian McQuade, general manager of Portland Port, said: “The Disney Magic will be the first cruise ship of over 300m in length to call at Portland Port and we do not expect her to be the last.

"The recently completed cruise berth extension will allow us to handle ships in excess of 340m long alongside and with more and more cruise ships over 300m long being delivered to the global fleet we anticipate this to be the first of many.”

A spokesman for Portland Port Police said: "We are asking that you do not attempt to gain entry to the port by any means. Please stay away from Castletown area and keep the roads clear leading to the port.

"There are many good viewpoints locally."

Dorset Echo: