CRUISE ships have returned to Weymouth Bay following the wet and windy weather caused by Storm Christoph.
Dorset and the wider South West was hit by heavy rain and strong winds on Wednesday, January 20 and Thursday, January 21, leading to the huge commercial vessels to depart the sheltered Dorset coast.
Ahead of Storm Christoph, the cruise ships left Weymouth Bay on Tuesday, January 19 to safer waters.
Following the turbulent weather, the vessels have returned to the Dorset coast.
According to Cruise Mapper, P&O’s Aurora and Britannia and Cunards’s Queen Elizabeth are now anchored in Weymouth Bay. Ventura and Norwegian Bliss are also moored at Portland Port.
The cruise ships appear to be staying in Weymouth Bay almost indefinitely, with Cruise Mapper reporting no planned movements of the vessels.
Queen Mary 2, which was moored in Weymouth Bay on Friday, January 22, has since left for Torquay.
The RNLI previously said these vessels are anchored within Weymouth Bay because the bay offers "secure anchorage with the prevailing weather".
The vessels have also brought some joy to residents and tourists during the course of the coronavirus pandemic, after suddenly arriving in March 2020.
The commercial cruise liners will not be resuming cruising for several months, as Cunard, P&O and Norwegian Cruise Line continue to extend the suspension of sailings amid Covid-19 restrictions.
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