The arrival of the Sea Princess in Tauranga this morning has marked the start of the cruise ship season.

The season is expected to bring an estimated 240,000 passengers and crew and an estimated $50 million into the region.

The Sea Princess arrived at the Port of Tauranga this morning.

Read more about the season here.

The Sea Princess, which is registered out of Bermuda, has a gross tonnage of 77499, is 261 metres long, has 2342 passengers on board, along with 814 crew members.

It came to Tauranga from Auckland and will be heading to Napier once is leaves port at about 4.30pm.

The Sea Princess as seen from a Mount Maunganui resident's deck.