The cruise ship Noordam arrived in Tauranga this morning, part of the start to the 2016/17 cruise ship season.

The ship has the capacity for almost 2000 passengers, with over 800 crew on board.

According to the Cruise New Zealand website, the Noordam is one of four Vista-class vessels named after compass points.

Noordam represents the north, with her sister ships Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam covering the other directions.

The ship arrived at 8.25am, and will depart at 8.30 tonight.