Belfast has thirty-three cruise ships scheduled.

Belfast cruise ship boom.

Thirty-three cruise ships are scheduled to bring in more than 58,000 passengers and crew to Belfast over the summer months.

The Crown Princess returned for the first of five visits to Belfast this year on Friday to confirm the 2011 cruise season was under way.

More than 950ft in length, it has nine different restaurants and eateries on board, as well as a spa and fitness centre, three theatres and a film screen.

It brought more than 4,000 visitors and crew with it.