Ship-spotters wanting to catch a glimpse of a huge cruise liner moored off the Kent coast have - quite literally - missed the boat.

The Queen Victoria, which can cater for 2,000 passengers, anchored off Botany Bay on Friday - drawing in onlookers and photographers.

With no voyages booked in, and just a skeleton crew on board, the 16-deck luxury ship remained off the Kent coast overnight.

But the £270 million cruise liner, which boasts a ballroom and theatre, has now departed and is on course to arrive in Weymouth after leaving the county yesterday..

The brief stop-off on the Thanet coast seemingly saved on docking fees at a harbour.

The coronavirus pandemic, which has brought the cruise industry to a standstill, has seen numerous luxury vessels loitering in safe spots - away from shipping lanes - along the southern coast of the country.

Due to having limited crew on board and no intended destination, they are dubbed 'ghost ships'.

Built in 2007 and sailing under the flag of Bermuda, the Queen Victoria, which is part of the Cunard Line fleet, is now due to arrive in Weymouth.

The bay in Dorset has become the go-to destination for cruise liners, with 10 being counted stationed there last week.

The interior decoration of the Queen Victoria is loosely based on Victorian-era styling.

The ship boasts seven restaurants, thirteen bar and three swimming pools.

All voyages have been cancelled due to Covid-19, and no trips are scheduled. Bookings for 2022 holidays are currently the earliest available.

In Dover, the Disney Magic cruise ship remains moored up in the harbour - where it has been mostly stationed for the past three months.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet