Norfolk's 2008 cruise season begins today with the arrival of the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center.

The 709-foot-long cruise ship, operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. and leave at 6 p.m. for a one-time day visit on a 12-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,758-passenger Carnival Victory arrives June 1 for the first of five cruises this year from Norfolk. Royal Caribbean International's 1,950-passenger Grandeur of the Seas arrives June 13 to begin 13 back-to-back sailings.