Hundreds of people turned out to see the Oosterdam set sail tonight and enjoy the free sausage sizzle and entertainment.
It was the second picnic organised by Mount Mainstreet this summer, with Classic Hits providing the barbecue and local singing star Fletcher Oxford from New Zealand's Got Talent.
The Voyager of the Seas is set to sail at 9.30pm.
Locals Sue Thomas and her grand-daughter Lauren Thomas had walked around the Mount base track to see the ship go out the channel.
"It was beautiful around there, and it was still warm and sunny. You get a great view and you get right up close as it goes past."