Cruise

With questions around cruise ships’ environmental and health impacts and their relatively small contribution to the economy, lavish welcomes may not be justifiable, writes Timothy Welch.

It’s been a long three years but the future of cruise looks strong, she tells the industry’s annual conference.

“The value of passengers who come through the distribution channel should not be underestimated,” says GTNZ’s Anna Black.

The French operator’s APAC chair urges the govt to take a practical approach and criticises proposals to cap visits to Fiordland.

Around 220 industry professionals are converging on Auckland for the first NZ Cruise conference since 2019.

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer berths in Auckland, marking the restart of cruise in NZ.

The arrival of P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer in Auckland marks the restart of cruise in New Zealand.

Passengers on cruise ships and recreational vessels are required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and must comply with all domestic health measures including isolation.

Fitzgerald will join cruise industry leaders at the Cruise360 Australasia 2022’s State of the Industry panel.

P&O Australia’s Pacific Explorer will be the first cruise ship with international passengers to visit NZ.

Napier Port has opened its 350-metre Te Whiti wharf, which is long and deep enough to accommodate large vessels.

Business leader and cruise company founder Sarina Bratton has been announced as the keynote speaker for the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference 2022.

The first four cruise ships arriving from October could bring more than 13k passengers to the regions.

Travel agents will have an opportunity to virtually explore top cruise destinations around the world in a week-long webinar programme from Cruise Lines International Association Australasia.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says New Zealand’s full border reopening on 31 July is great news for the city’s tourism and hospitality operators.

How cruise managed the pandemic will be studied for years, says the tourism minister.

After two years of hardship, hundreds of Kiwi ship suppliers and tourism operators can start rebuilding their businesses, says NZCA.

Pre-departure testing is also expected to be scrapped before the end of July.

The number of cruise ships scheduled to stop at the Akaroa port near Christchurch for the 2022/23 season is down to just 19 ships, a 79% drop compared to the 90 ships that visited during 2019/20.

The government is yet to announce a date for cruise visits to start again despite the air border to Australia re-opening last week.

The New Zealand Cruise Association is calling on the government to say when the industry can restart after P&O Cruises Australia cancelled its 2022 Auckland season.

Cruising in NZ waters has been well supported over summer but there are clouds on the horizon, say operators.

The association’s chair on the efforts to get cruise going again in NZ and why Q4 2022 remains the target, despite Omicron.

Demand for cruises continues to be strong globally, including for passengers planning to cruise in New Zealand waters, according to the New Zealand Cruise Association.

The New Zealand Cruise Association will hold next year’s Cruise Conference at Auckland’s Aotea Centre.

The New Zealand Cruise Association says a New Zealand Customs’ investigation has confirmed that the Ruby Princess and its local port agents made appropriate health declarations when the ship visited New Zealand in March 2020.

The new experience aims to capitalise on the domestic-only market this summer but also become a ‘must-do’ attraction longer term.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says the number of passengers who have sailed worldwide since ocean cruise operations resumed last year has now passed three million.

The New Zealand Cruise Association says the industry may not restart again for another year.

CentrePort posted an underlying net profit after tax of $7.2m for the year to June 2021, down 51% compared to the $14.7m recorded in FY20.

Princess Cruises is cancelling the summer seasons for three vessels initially scheduled to sail routes in Australia and New Zealand due to uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region.

The newly-elected chair of New Zealand Cruise Association says the future of the industry remains strong.

The resumption of cruises from Australia in summer appears remote even if border restrictions are eased in early 2022.

Line-up of country stars as well as country-themed dance and activities on offer for three day cruise.

The New Zealand Cruise Association wants rapid testing in place and safe bubble cruising for larger ships with reduced guest numbers in 2022.

Maritime New Zealand is calling for feedback on draft Marine Protection Rules as part of plans for New Zealand to join an international convention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from ships.

Australian and New Zealand cruise agents are to be honoured with a presentation from Cruise Lines International Association recognising the difficult circumstances they have been operating in.

Environment Southland has signed an updated Cruise Ship Deed of Agreement with Cruise Lines International Association to boost revenue from visiting cruise ships in the future.

Cruise industry touts strong new health protocols, watches with envy as businesses ready for air corridor with Australia.

Cruise Lines International Association will bring back its CLIA LIVE education series for 2021.

With the industry yet to revive, one BOP excursion company aims to expand as far as the South Island with a new product.

Port of Tauranga saw ship visits decline by 15.3% to 661 for the six months to December 2020.

NZCA chair Debbie Summers said the decision was made because of the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 on the industry.

The Government has “kneecapped” the tourism sector by causing the Le Lapérouse cruise ship to cancel its season, says the National Party.

Cruise lines are reconsidering future deployments to “unreliable” NZ, says Wild Earth Travel’s Aaron Russ.

The cruise industry says it has been abandoned by the Government.

The denial of visas to 61 crew tarnishes NZ’s cruise friendly reputation, says NZCA.

The New Zealand cruise industry is at a standstill and the country is $601m out of pocket because of it, says NZ Cruise Association chair and ID Tours executive director Debbie Summers.

It is New Zealand’s first purpose-built cruise ship facility.

The global cruise industry is expected to lose US$19.6bn in revenue amid the coronavirus outbreak, a 71% plunge year-over-year, according to StockApps.com.