Galway Bay is to see one of the largest cruise ships ever to anchor offshore of the city over the weekend, as the 91,000 gross tonnage vessel arrives with passengers to explore the west of Ireland.

The 2,400 passenger Norwegian Star with its luxurious facilities is one of the Dawn-class cruise ships which is to arrive in Galway on 12 May. The vessel with a draft of 8.2m is to anchor off the port from where passengers will use tenders back and forth to Dun Aengus Dock.

At 294 metres in length, the hulking vessel is more than twice as long as the pitch at Pearse Stadium and has a beam of just over 32m. The 23-year-old ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line will also visit the east coast at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, where it will make an overnight anchorage just three days after departing the 'City of the Tribes'.

The ports so far visited by the Norwegian Star have included Lisbon in Portugal, Bilbao in Spain, Bordeaux, the French Atlantic coast ports of Bordeaux and La Rochelle and Le Havre on the English Channel, and two North Sea ports of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Hamburg in Germany.

Cruise-goers on the Irish legs of the itinerary will get to visit Waterford, Belfast, Killybegs, Galway, Dingle, Dublin (Dun Laoghaire, as referred to), and Cork shortly afterwards.

The arrival of the €350 million ship to Galway Bay will be served by a 1,000 strong crew.

More Galway Beo has on this notable cruise ship caller.

A Holland America Line cruise ship has become the largest to visit the Isle of Man having anchored in Douglas Bay this morning with over 2,000 American passengers on board.

The 99,500 gross tonnage cruise ship Nieuw Statendam had sailed overnight from Dublin Bay having anchored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour yesterday.

Nieuw Statendam is the second of the 'Pinnacle' class ships, which celebrates historic New York City with an inspired design and art collection. In addition the design draws inspiration from the elegant curves of musical instruments. Among the musical themes facilities is the B.B. King’s Blues Club.

The 2018 built cruise ship has become the 23rd cruise ship to visit Manx shores so far this year, as a further 31 callers are scheduled.

During their time, the visitors, most of them from the U.S., will be able to choose from a range of tours throughout the Isle of Man, among them excursions organised is the Story of Mann held in the House of Mannin, to Snaefell mountain and the coastal town of Peel.

Deborah Heather from Visit Isle of Man says there's keen interest in the Island's heritage, and passengers provide a significant financial boost to the local economy, to listen Manx Radio also has an audio link.