Two massive cruise ships, with a combined tonnage of almost 300,000, sailed into port this morning.

Crowds lined the beach and base track of the Mount to welcome the Emerald Princess at 8.15am, followed by the Ovation of the Seas at 8.45am.

Both ships are in port until tonight, bringing with them thousands of holidaymakers.

When the Ovation was here in late December, SunLive photographer Bruce Barnard took a tour on board and captured some of its grandeur, which includes sky diving at sea, rock climbing, bumper cars, roller skating, a full size sports court, a circus school, a surfing simulator, 18 different dining options, and a whole lot more.

It's an expensive ship, too, costing NZ$1.4 billion.

When it departed last year, the Ovation drew huge crowds to farewell its passengers.

No doubt hundreds more will flock to the Mount this evening to see the old girl off again.

The Emerald Princess arrives. Video: Richard Roodt.

Another view of the Ovation of the Seas. Video: Richard Roodt.