MANY cruise ships have graced our shores this summer, the impressive vessels becoming something of an attraction amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cruise ships have been coming through and past the Bournemouth coast in recent months, drawing the attention of numerous beach-goers.

Anthem of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship, is currently anchored in Poole bay alongside Allure of the Seas.

Echo Camera Club Dorset have been capturing some stunning images of the ships docked over the past few months.

Bournemouth Echo: Taken on June 25 from Southbourne Cliffs by Jenifer Bausili LópezTaken on June 25 from Southbourne Cliffs by Jenifer Bausili López

Other ships that have made appearances in Bournemouth's waters over the past few months include MV Ventura, part of the P&O Cruises fleet, The Marella Explorer, and Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas.

Bournemouth Echo: Allure of the Seas by Maxine WalterAllure of the Seas by Maxine Walter

On June 20, four cruise ships were lined up on the water off Bournemouth in what was a rare sight.

This included MV Ventura, part of the P&O Cruises fleet, sister ships Aurora and Arcadia and Cunard's Queen Victoria.

Bournemouth Echo: Arcadia, August 12 by Sára Regina CsekeArcadia, August 12 by Sára Regina Cseke

July saw the oldest vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet and the sole ship in her class, The Empress of the Seas, drop anchor in Poole bay.

Tours of the cruise ships anchored off the Bournemouth coast also took place this year, thanks to the captain of Mudeford Ferry Paul Derham.

Having started their 'ghost tours' in June, Mudeford Ferry take customers on a two-and-a-half-hour voyage out to the docked ship.

The capacity on the ferries has been reduced from 80 to 30 to conform with social distancing rules.

Paul said: "The interest in the tours has been phenomenal. They are two and a half hours long and most of time, they end in a round of applause from customers."

Following the influx of cruise ships in our waters over the summer, we asked members of our Camera Club to share their favourite pictures of the cruise ships.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth, July 6 by Scott LovegroveBournemouth, July 6 by Scott Lovegrove

We received over 100 photographs showing the variety of ships we have had visit our coast this year.

Pictures were taken from Southbourne beach. Bournemouth beach, Branksome, Weymouth and more, showcasing the number of cruise ships that have visited us this summer.

Bournemouth Echo: Dwarfing Mudefod Quay by William EvansDwarfing Mudefod Quay by William Evans