The largest cruise ship to visit Tauranga this season – Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas – arrived alongside the Mount Maunganui wharf this morning for the first of nine visits between now and April 18.

At 312-metres long, the vessel is the second longest ship to call, second only to the 317-metre long Celebrity Solstice which is next due in port on December 14.

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas is in Mount Maunganui today. Photo: Royal Caribbean.

But in terms of tonnage, Explorer of the Seas comes out on top this season at 138,194 gross registered tonnes, second only to her sister ship the 137,276 Voyager of the Seas, which is expected on Christmas Eve.

Explorer is the second of five in Royal Caribbean International's Voyager-class series, which started with Voyager of the Seas in 1999.

It follows the floating resort concept, boasting a wealth of facilities, activities and entertainment.

Amenities include a 60-foot-by-40 foot ice skating rink, a concert venue, TV Studio, rock-climbing wall, a shopping/dining/entertainment boulevard, mini golf, a wedding chapel, a basketball court and spa/solarium complex.

It has 15 decks, 10 pools and whirlpools and 15 bars and restaurants -- including a three-deck main dining room, which is the largest restaurant in Australasia, seating almost 2000 people at a time.

The ship is intended to appeal to active cruisers of all ages, from children to seniors.

Explorer of the Seas had a $122 million overhaul in Spain this year, and Royal Caribbean estimates that in its five month stint in New Zealand it will inject an estimated $23.5 million into the economy in passenger spend.