A BRAND new cruise ship sailed into the North East this week - as a spectacular display to mark its arrival was laid on.

The Spirit of Adventure, owned by Saga Cruises, arrived into the Port of Tyne for the day on Wednesday.

Weighing 58,250 tonnes, the large luxury vessel is capable of holding almost 1,000 passengers and a further 540 crew members.

Delivered in 2020, the ship has spent much of its time waiting for passengers following continuous lockdowns during the pandemic.

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTH NEWSPicture: NORTH NEWS

On Wednesday morning, the luxury vessel sailed into the Port of Tyne, near North Shields, where it was met with a water cannon arrival.

A maritime tradition, the water cannon salute marks the first arrival of a vessel into a particular port.

After dropping off its passengers for the day, the Spirit of Adventure departed on Wednesday evening where it was headed for its next port, Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Echo: Picture: NORTH NEWSPicture: NORTH NEWS

The arrival of the vessel comes just a few weeks after the P&O Azura departed the port after almost six months in the region.

The ship, which is more than double the size of the Spirit of Adventure, left to crowds of hundreds who waved her goodbye as she too headed for Belfast.

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