The day The World came to South Tyneside - exclusive cruise ship made a stunning impression

The world’s most exclusive cruise ship made a huge splash when she docked in our neighbourhood for the first time 15 years ago this week.

The World – which is owned by its wealthy passengers who live in 165 bespoke apartments on board – docked at the Port of Tyne.

Shields Gazette readers were out in force with their cameras to get their own memento of the occasion.

The ship – on which 130 families live – sails all over the world, and its itinerary in 2011 included going to 53 countries, all chosen by the residents.

Port Of Tyne chief executive Andrew Moffat, said at the time: “The fact that The World is paying a visit to the Port Of Tyne is testament to our region’s rich heritage and vibrant city culture.

“It is a fantastic coup to have The World here.”

Cruise vessels and passenger ferries pumped more than £44m into the region’s economy around 15 years ago. Share your own memories if you saw the giant of the seas in 2011.

To give you more of a reminder of South Tyneside life back then, Gazette readers had their say on the state of high street shops.

A Government review, spearheaded by Mary Portas, star of BBC’s Queen of Shops, highlighted reasons for the decline of the high street as the poor choice of shops, boarded-up and vacant retail buildings, and high prices.

We asked people what they made of King Street.

Jim Dadswenn, 64, a semi-retired mental health worker, from Chichester, South Shields, said: “There is still quite a good variety of shops, but I think Woolworths was a big loss for the street.

“It’s a shame so many shops have shut down. People used to travel from Newcastle and all over to come to South Shields. They still come but not as many as used to.”

Stephen Heron, a retired plasterer, from Lawe Top, South Shields, said: “There are too many pound shops, charity shops and phone shops, and not enough men’s clothes shops and things like that.

“You used to be able to walk down King Street and Mile End Road and you wouldn’t see two similar shops on the same street.”

Frank Jones, 78, a retired draughtsman, said: “The empty shops do let it down a bit, but that’s no surprise when the rent is so high.”

Mr Jones’s wife, Doreen, 76, a retired dress maker, said: “There’s a good range of shops here, and I like the market as well. The only thing I do miss is the material shop.”