People waved and cried to passengers, as the Ovation of the Seas ship departed Tauranga, two days after Whakaari/White Island's deadly eruption.

Of the 47 people on White Island when it erupted on Monday, 38 were guests of the Royal Carribean cruise.

Passengers of the cruise described how everything fell deathly silent when the captain announced the Bay of Plenty volcano had erupted.

The ship was supposed to have set sail for Wellington on Monday evening but stayed at the Port of Tauranga while officials scrambled to get more information.

Passengers have been offered counselling.

Stuff visual journalist Dominico Zapata says the mood was sombre and "very emotional" as the ship passed by Mt Maunganui.

Dozens of people gathered at the maunga to farewell passengers, some of whom were seen waving back to them from the deck.

The Ovation of the Seas leaves Tauranga Harbour after its passengers were caught up in the deadly eruption on Whakaari/White Island. Photo: DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF.

A local barge blasted its horn three times as the cruise passed by, with the ship sounding its horn three times in reply.

A makeshift shrine was made at the Port of Tauranga, with passengers and local residents laying posies of flowers.

In a statement released last night, Ovation of the Seas say the itinerary had been altered in the wake of the eruption, and would now only travel as far south as Picton and not visit Dunedin or Fiordland as initially planned.

"A team will remain onsite in Tauranga and all hospital locations to ensure those affected by Monday's incident are taken care of in terms of medical help, counseling, accommodations, and transport," they say.

"Our priority continues to be to ensure that all guests and crew impacted are well taken care of and we assist the local authorities in any way we can.

"We thank our guests onboard for their patience and understanding during this tragic situation.

"Our thoughts and prayers remain with those impacted."

-Stuff