The German cruise ship MV Artania is at Port Tampa Bay today -- with it: 1478 passengers and crew (mostly German citizens) who are spending the day enjoying the Tampa area. The Artania is traveling the world. It stopped in Tampa today for the first time since 2012. The Artania just came from Progreso, Mexico before arriving in Port Tampa Bay. Before Mexico, it was in Trujillo, Honduras and Colon, Panama.

Representatives from Visit Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, the Ybor Chamber of Commerce, Festa Italiana Tampa and Port Tampa Bay welcomed the ship when it arrived at 7am this morning. A documentary film crew is capturing the journey of the Artania and its stop at Port Tampa Bay. The ship will depart at 6pm this evening - next stops: New Orleans, Key West and Miami.

Fun Fact: The Artania was originally called "Royal Princess" in 1984 after Princess Diana named the ship. It changed names twice after the ship transferred to new ownership.

Photo attached is from its arrival at Port Tampa Bay's Terminal 6 this morning, where it currently is now.