The Disney Magic cruise ship has been spotted off the Kent coast as it prepares for its next voyage.

The luxury liner sailed past Gravesend this morning as it made its way across the water to Tilbury Docks in Essex.

It is thought to be the first time it has been along the River Thames.

Despite the poor weather, photographer Jason Arthur managed to get some pictures of the vessel, which bears the distinctive Mickey Mouse ears on its twin funnels, from Gravesend Town Pier.

He said: "You could hear it playing the Disney horn."

The boat, which also has a huge Goofy hanging from the stern, blasts out the well-known Pinocchio tune, When You Wish Upon a Star.

When operational, the eleven-deck entertainment liner carries up to 2,700 passengers.

The boat spent months moored up in Kent when its schedule was halted because of the pandemic. It was at Dover's western docks at the ferry terminal from May last year.

The ship is docking at Tilbury ahead of its next 'UK staycation cruise'.

Passengers can spend two or three nights on board on selected dates from September 17 until October 1, before the ship heads to Miami to resume its USA sailings from October 28.

The staycations include one or two days at sea and all the usual Disney characters, entertainment and shows.

If you fancy hopping on board in Essex, the cost for a family of four is around £1,300 for two nights and £2,000 for three.

Disney Magic, which was the first cruise ship launched by the world famous company in the late 90s, was set to tour Europe this year.

In October last year, sister ship Disney Wonder also arrived in Dover.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend