A SIXTH cruise ship is now anchored off Bournemouth beach.

Celebrity Apex left Southampton just before 6pm on Wednesday before arriving at around 11.10pm.

The Edge-class cruise ship is operated by Celebrity Cruises and has space for 2,910 people.

It weighs 129,500 tonnes, is 1004ft in length and has a top cruising speed of 21.8 knots.

On board facilities include a Magic Carpet, a "cantilevered, floating platform" which reaches 13 storeys above sea level.

Other facilities include a spa, casino, rooftop garden and 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges.

The ship was due to debut in April this year, but its launch was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is thought crew are preparing for the ship’s first transatlantic voyage to Miami.

It joins Royal Caribbean cruise ships Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

P&O's Aurora is also currently at anchor.

The cruise ships, which have been dubbed ‘ghost ships’, have become a major attraction over the past few months.

A number of different ships have been sighted off the coast during the coronavirus pandemic.

Other ships that have made appearances include MV Ventura, Cunard's Queen Victoria and P&O's Arcadia.

The cruise ships have become so popular that Mudeford Ferry has even been running tours so people can get a closer view of the vessels.

Mudeford Ferry take customers on a two-and-a-half-hour voyage out to the ship, sailing within 50 metres of some of the vessels.