A SECOND cruise ship has moored off West Bay seeking shelter and more could be joining.

The Marella Explorer 2 arrived on Tuesday, the second ship to moor at West Bay in as many days.

The ship, owned by TUI, is an adults-only cruise liner with a range of exciting facilities, from a Champneys Spa to a chic bar-club-casino space. It is the newest ship in the TUI fleet.

The ship was last reported at Babbacombe Bay in South Devon on Monday, February 8.

The Explorer joins the Marella Discovery, also operated by TUI, which arrived at West Bay on Monday to the surprise of residents.

The multi-million vessel first launched in 1996 and features 11 decks, 918 cabins, seven bars, restaurants and two swimming pools.

Marella Discovery has previously been anchored on Weymouth Bay, along with other large cruise ships during the coronavirus pandemic.

It is understood that the ships are currently at West Bay to take shelter from the easterly winds.

An interactive online map which shows the movement of ships indicates other liners are on the move in the area, and could be anchoring off the west Dorset coast in the near future.

Cruise ships have been mooring along the south coast since cruises were suspended as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, which put a stop to all commercial sailings. These ships have generally been stopping at Weymouth and Bournemouth, however, and West Bay has not been one of the preferred mooring spots.

TUI has announced a further suspension of its voyages, with European sailings provisionally planned to start in April, with long-haul voyages returning in May.

The Foreign Office still advises against any foreign travel, including on commercial cruise ships.