FOUR cruise ships remain anchored off Bournemouth beach, including one of the biggest in the world.

It is no longer an unusual sight seeing cruise ships off Dorset’s coast, however Royal Caribbean, who own the four ships currently moored in the county, said it is looking forward to welcoming guests back on board.

The four ships visible on Dorset coastlines are Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas, which has been sailing for a decade, was the world’s largest passenger ship up until 2009 at 362 metres in length.

Explorer of the Seas can host up to 3,000 guests, including scientists who can make use of its oceanographic laboratory.

Jewel of Seas, a ship more used to the Dubai climate, completed a renovation worth an estimated £20 million in 2016, and Anthem of the Seas, the youngest in the fleet, can host more than 4,000 guests.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said: “Some of our ships are keeping close to the UK coastline so they can access the necessary supplies and resources when needed.

“We are looking forward to welcoming guests back onboard soon, when our ships will move to their designated homeports and recommence their itineraries.”

It wasn’t known how long the ships would be on Dorset’s coastline.