Massive ocean liner now calls Melbourne home port

Victoria is tapping into a booming $5 billion cruise ship industry, with more luxury liners than ever visiting the state.

This week the world's largest cruise ship brand, Carnival Cruise Line, made Melbourne its home port for the Carnival Legend.

"We think that the demand is there. We know how much Victorians have loved cruising,” Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said.

“We've already had 117,000 Victorians cruise with us and we're expecting with this announcement that we will double that number.”

Until now, Melbourne residents have had to fly to Sydney or other destinations to board Carnival ships.

Now they can board direct from the city, in a move that has delighted cruise lovers Jenny and Dennis McCarthy.

The retired Mornington Peninsular couple got engaged on the Carnival Legend three years ago, and had their honeymoon on the ship a year later.

"Now we can do a lot more cruising," Jenny said.

"We don’t have to spent money getting a plane up to Sydney,” Dennis added.

In the past 15 years, the number of cruise ships to pull into Port Phillip Bay has more than tripled.

Last year more than 100 cruise liners visited the city.

To prepare the Carnival Legend for its new home port, a few last minute touches have been made, including upgrading the espresso machines to cater for coffee loving Melburnians and adding artwork to the children's waterpark designed by two Victorian sisters.

The ship already boasts the fastest and steepest waterslide at sea, but there are more changes to come.

In May, the cruise ship will undergo a $57 million refurbishment, transforming its restaurants and bars.