Southampton port is offering free open-top bus tours to visitors this Saturday and Sunday to celebrate a record nine cruise ship visits in just 48 hours.
More than 45,500 cruise passengers are expected to embark and disembark in the city, each generating an average of £380 for the local economy.
Among the ships on view will be Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas, one of a trio of sisters dubbed “the largest cruise ship in the world”, and Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess.
P&O Cruises will have four ships in the port this weekend – Oceana, Oriana, Ventura and Aurora, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch will also be there.
Southampton City Council’s Vijay Manro said visitors will be able to get close-up views of the ships, but warned motorists to avoid driving into the city at peak times. He said: “I would urge them to use public transport.”