A US$250 (€202.3) million luxury cruise liner has sailed into Dublin Port on its maiden call to Ireland.

The MSC Lirica boasts almost 3,000 passengers and crew from Germany, Austria, Spain, France and Italy.

It is one of around 90 liners expected to dock in Dublin as part of on-going efforts by Dublin Port to attract cruise liner tourism business to the city.

Facilities aboard the Lirica include swimming pools, Turkish baths and a nightclub.

Ther 13-deck liner also has various bars and restaurants as well as a health spa.