Mother Nature stepped in during the weekend to disturb the arrival of Tonga's first cruise ship for 2014.

The 28,258-tonne MS Silver Whisper with 500 passengers aboard docked at Vuna Wharf  on Friday morning 24, accompanied by rain although the sun emerged by late afternoon.

This has forced passengers to stay on board and not many could make it to visit the capital Nuku’alofa.

The liner left at  about 3pm in the afternoon.

Tonga’s Port of Authority announced fourteen  cruise ships would  visit the Kingdom of the Friendly Islands this year.

These liners will visit the islands of Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Tofua and Vava'u and for the first time in Tonga's cruise ship history, a cruise ship will spend overnight in the Ha'apai Islands later this year.

The MS Columbus and Crystal Symphony will arrive this morning  Monday 27.

The MS Columbus will be berthed at the Queen Salote Wharf whilst the Crystal Symphony is expected to dock  at the Vuna Wharf.