Today's cruise ship alongside the Mount Maunganui wharf is the Italian-built Golden Princess.

Built by Fincantieri in Trieste, she entered service in 2001, but was last refurbished in 2015.

Golden Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship with Princess Cruises. She is the sister ship of Grand Princess and Star Princess.

Golden Princess has accommodation for 2,600 passengers plus a crew of 1100.

The Golden Princess is 290 m long, 36m wide and draws 8.7m of water.

For a Golden Princess eye view of Pilot Bay, visit.

The Dawn Princess and the Caledonian Sky are expected in port on Friday.