​There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that the holiday industry is all at sea in these times, and we in Inverclyde have seen the disruption the coronavirus pandemic has brought on tourism locally with the diversion of cruise ships and cancellation of their scheduled visits.

Instead, these mighty ships are devoid of passengers and are anchored or drifting in bays or harbours as they await orders and a return to hopefully better times.

In search of a friendly port, three cruise ships have passed Inverclyde and made their way to King George V Dock in Glasgow, where crews can step on dry land after weeks spent at sea.

The following five pictures were taken when distant travel was taken for granted and thousand of cruise passengers used Inverclyde as a jumping off point for whistle-stop tours of Scotland's historic castles, golf courses and towns.

Pic1:

It is not uncommon to see about town the showbiz celebrities who are either performing onboard, or are guests of, the many ships that visit us in the summer months.

This picture shows singing legend Dionne Warwick pose up with a star-struck Provost Ciano Rebecchi's daughter Angela, members of the Inverclyde Tourist Group and Ciano himself, in the arrivals hall in Greenock Ocean Terminal.

Ms Warwick arrived on the cruise ship Crystal Serenity back in 2003.

Pic2:

Not all cruise ship visitations go without a hitch, as this shot taken in 2018 shows. The Nautica was snatched from her berth by Storm Ali after her mooring lines parted, causing the vessel to end up bow-on to the quayside. Winds were deceptively high as Nautica's crew battled to bring the ship under control as she swung out, stern-first, with only her bow rope holding her in place.

Passing tug crews were quick to react, coming to the rescue, limiting damage to both vessel and pier.

Pic3:

Anyone could be forgiven for thinking a large block of flats had been erected overnight when witnessing the sheer scale of this ships that sidle up to Greenock's waterfront. Early rising visitors who wanted to catch a first glimpse of Inverclyde, took to their balconies on Celebrity Silhouette as the mammoth ship approached her berth.

The ship brought 2,886 passengers to Inverclyde in 2015.

Pic4:

Taken in the summer of 2008, this picture shows the crowded aft decks of the QE2 as she manoeuvered off Greenock Ocean Terminal.

Of all the ships that visit our waters, the beautiful Cunarder was probably one of the most loved by those who live on the shores of the Clyde or have a connection to its once world famous shipyards.

Pic5:

This shot of cruise ship Ruby Princess gives an idea of the towering size of the vessels that carry visitors to Inverclyde and beyond.

Greenock's Esplanade resembled an avenue leading to a bone-white, futuristic palace that dwarfed all around it. Capable of carrying 3,000 passengers, the vessel is by no means the largest to visit the Clyde but she made an imposing site nonetheless.