Olympic visitors to stay on cruise ships?

Travel Weekly has reported that the Royal Caribbean-owned Azamara Club Cruises expects to be given permission to dock two 500-passenger vessels, Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey, in the Thames in east London for the duration of the event.

Several cruise operators are vying for the chance to have their ships moored in London for the Games, but Azamara chief executive Larry Pimentel appears confident his line will get the go-ahead from Games organisers next month.

In a briefing to UK media ahead of the expected announcement, he said officials were warming to the idea of allowing ships to berth close to the Olympic Park in Stratford.

"The location of the ships is absolutely critical", he said. "Officials were very restrictive but as time goes on I think we are going to be given permission. I think we will hear within a month."

Azamara believes it will be more cost-effective for some visitors to stay on its ships, taking advantage their all-inclusive offerings, rather than paying London hotel prices.