Cruise

The current cruise season will be one for the record books in terms of visitation but it is the benefits that it brings to the regions that are of most value to New Zealand, says Jacqui Lloyd.

The district’s first ever cruise arrivals will visit Whangārei Town Basin, where the new Hundertwasser Art Centre is a ‘must see’ attraction.

Napier Port revenue has risen $118.4m in the 2023 financial year thanks in part to the return of cruise.

More than 7,000 visitors are expected to descend on Dunedin this week as two cruise ships berth at Port Chalmers on Friday.

A new way of managing cruise has had its first test, with pleasing results, says NZCA.

A new management plan is in place for cruise passengers disembarking in Lyttelton and ChristchurchNZ’s general manager of destination and attraction, Loren Aberhart, explains how it works.

The 2024 New Zealand Cruise Association conference will be held in Auckland on Thursday 15 August.

Port Marlborough has seen a 55.3% increase in the number of ferry and cruise passengers through its port this year.

The operator of the country’s southernmost deepwater port says cruise has made a strong recovery,

More than 200,000 cruise passengers are expected to stop in Wellington for the 2023/24 cruise season, says CentrePort.

The free shuttle from the cruise berth is designed to limit the number of passengers who enter Lyttelton and use the public bus system. A transport plan will also be in place for the area.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun is heading to New Zealand, South Pacific, Asia and Australia for a six-month season over 2024-25.

More than 50 cruise ships are expected to make 135 port stops in Auckland during the 2023-24 summer season.

Seven cruise ships brought more than 2,500 visitors to the Nelson Tasman region between November 2022 and March this year, according to Port Nelson.

A growing preference to explore NZ and the Pacific by sea is attracting more cruise lines, ships and products.

The plan aims to attract 28 vessels to the region annually by 2028.

Lyttelton Port Company is stressing the need to better manage cruise passenger numbers in the town.

House of Travel is expanding its cruise strategy with a new dedicated team to meet the surge in demand for that type of travel.

Picton is preparing for a buoyant cruise season with around 120,000 passengers and 42,000 crew expected from October.

Biosecurity New Zealand is reminding cruise lines to brush up on the country’s biofouling rules ahead of their summer voyages.

Carnival Corporation’s Princess Cruises is providing funding for Dunedin-based Natures Wonders to support penguin colonies around Otago.

New Zealand Cruise Association is seeking feedback from the tourism sector to help inform the development of its national cruise strategy.

Port of Tauranga expects 108 cruise ship visits during its 2024 financial year, up 23% from the 88 recorded in FY23.

Cruise ships contributed $2.1m in marine fees to Environment Southland’s income over the 2022/23 period.

The industry is seeing a strong recovery with passenger numbers this season expected to exceed the 2018-19 record.

Napier Port has reported revenue from cruise ships to $5.3m for the nine months to 30 June 2023.

A new national cruise strategy is being developed, which will aim to unify and grow the industry in New Zealand.

The association’s new CEO on the strengthening cruise recovery and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Tourism Minister Peeni Henare and Ponant chief executive Chris Hall are amongst the speakers at the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference in Christchurch next month.

After nearly seven years leading NZCA, the former CEO hands out brickbats and bouquets after departing on Friday.

Stats NZ is ending its cruise ship traveller and expenditure data just as the industry gets its first season under its belt following the pandemic.

P&O Cruises says it will be spending $5m on Kiwi food and beverage to supply its Pacific Explorer during its Auckland season.

P&O Cruises and New Zealand brewers Boundary Road Brewery have developed a new lager called Sweet As Brew.

Disney Magic at Sea will return after its inaugural season this year to sail between October 2024 – February 2025.

A claim from Environment Canterbury that cruise is impacting public transport in Christchurch has left the cruise industry bemused.

Napier Port has reported cruise revenue of $5.1m for the six months to 31 March 2023.

Next season will see newcomers Disney and Virgin make their maiden sailings to the country.

The 2022-23 cruise season is wrapping up with the arrival of Celebrity Eclipse in Auckland today.

Napier has finished its cruise season with 62 vessel calls for the 2022-23 period and only 14 cancellations due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Explore Group is boosting its product range in Australia with a new ship providing expedition-style weekends for groups, events and incentive trips around the Whitsunday Islands.

The CEO will retire in June after nearly seven years leading the cruise association.

Cunard’s Queen Anne cruise ship will make its first sailing in New Zealand with a trip from Auckland via the Bay of Islands to Sydney in 2025.

Ships will not draw any water or power from the region or drop waste during their visits.

Port calls at Napier remain off the itinerary while Hawke’s Bay and East Coast count the cost of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Virgin Voyages has launched its First Mates offering for travel partners in New Zealand.

Cruise Lines International Association will bring its cruise showcase to Auckland in May with this year’s theme being “Cruising into the Future”.

Cruise vessel bookings at Napier Port are recovering well, according to first-quarter 2023 trade volumes published last week.

Nominations are open for the 20th Cruise Industry Awards, held by Cruise Lines International Association Australasia.

Avis and Princess Cruises have won top accolades at the Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards 2023.

The single domestic cruise ship visit to Napier in the year to September 2022 was worth $12,000, according to Napier Port’s 2022 annual report.