The Majestic Princess sailed back into port on Labour Day, bringing smiles to locals who watched and listened to her depart during her maiden voyage on October 5.

Most cruise ships toot their horns in a friendly farewell in response to the waves from shore. The Majestic Princess crew however have started a new tradition with a musical goodbye.

Hundreds who lined the beach in Pilot Bay when she left after the first visit returned to see if the 330m long vessel would play again, and sure enough, she did!

As the cruise ship slipped away from the wharf, the theme song from the television series ‘Love Boat' rang out across the bay.

Minutes later as the vessel moved towards the entrance, the song played again.

The Majestic Princess is back in port again today and leaves at 7.30pm, returning to Tauranga on November 13.

Locals are encouraged to again bring a picnic, watch the sunset, and wave off the cruise passengers this evening. And wait to see if the cruise ship will play a friendly goodbye tune back from the ship's horn.

The Majestic Princess was built in 2017, weighs 143,700 tonnes, and measures 330 metres in length.