The Explorer Dream - one of the Dream Cruises three-ship fleet - sailed into Newcastle for the first time on Monday morning.
The 268 metre vessel arrived in the Harbour around 8am and it expected to depart again on Monday evening.
On its first visit to the Harbour, the Port of Newcastle and ship's captain are expected to exchange a commemorative plaque on the bridge, before the captain and two crew representatives make their way to Fort Scratchley where they will fire three rounds from the Fort's No. 2 gun.
Another three rounds will be fired as the ship departs the harbour around 6.20pm.
The harbour is expecting around 15 cruise vessels to sail through the heads this season.
Explorer Dream - an 1856 passenger capacity ship - boasts 982 staterooms on board and was manufactured in Meyer Werft in Germany.
There are 17 restaurants onboard, three retail outlets and six entertainment centres.
The ship also boasts two uber-luxe 'Palace villas' decked out with private VIP facilities and their own swimming pool, lounge and dining venues in Italian decor, with a dedicated team of "dream butlers" standing by to tend to guest's experience.
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