Giant cruise ship TUI Mein Schiff 3 proved an eye-catching sight as it sailed past Gravesend this afternoon.

The ship, which can cater for 2,506 passengers, was due to leave Tilbury last night, but left this afternoon after its departure was delayed due to high winds at sea.

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Onlookers gathered by the shore at Gravesend and watched as the vast craft was pulled downriver by a tugboat, before turning and leaving for Zeebrugge in Belgium.

TUI Mein Schiff 3, which means My Ship 3, is owned by TUI Cruises. Weighing 99,430 tons, it was built by Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland and was TUI’s first newbuild.

The stop off was part of a seven-day, all-inclusive cruise which started on Saturday from Hamburg in Germany taking in Le Havre, Tilbury (London), Zeebrugge and Amsterdam before returning to Hamburg.

VIDEO: Cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 prepares to leave Gravesend