Cruise ships increase New Zealand visits
08 Oct 2010
More cruise ships than ever are visiting New Zealand - with the number of passenger arrivals set to almost double by the 2011/2012 season.
Cruise New Zealand says that cruise arrivals will increase to 200,000 within the next two years - a leap of 90,000 passengers. Each visitor to New Zealand on a cruise ship generates around NZ$1700 for the economy.
Australia accounts for the biggest number of international cruise ships in the recent 2009/2010 season, making up 40% of the numbers, followed by the US, UK, Canada and Germany.
Craig Harris, chief executive of Cruise New Zealand says that New Zealand offers plenty of options for visitors, whether on a quick stop-over or planning an extended stay.
"Cruise lines tell us that New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world where they would regularly call into more than four ports. It helps that all our New Zealand ports are within overnight steaming distance of each other, which means passengers wake up to a new destination every day, with a whole different range of activities to choose from."
Auckland's central port
Cruise ships often dock in Auckland because of its international air links and hotel capacity - both a necessity for a cruise hub.
Auckland also has the unique position of being one of few ports with a downtown dock, allowing passengers easy walking access to boutique designer stores, malls and high street fashion.
The ‘City of Sails’ offers many activities for all ages and types of travellers. Within a half-hour of downtown Auckland, visitors can catch a ferry across to Waiheke Island for vineyard tours, try out the iconic AJ Hackett bungy jump from Auckland Harbour Bridge, admire the stunning view from the top of the Sky Tower or walk along wild black sand surf beaches.
Most cruise ships dock at Princes Wharf, a multi-story passenger terminal. The wharf has a colourful history - it was originally launched as a commercial wharf in 1924, gradually transitioning to a cruise ship wharf in the late 1990s, complete with a five-star Hilton hotel.
Record Australian visitors
Record numbers of Australians cruised New Zealand during the 2009/2010 season.
Carnival Australia - Australia’s largest cruise operator - will have doubled its fleet by 2012 to meet the increasing demand. Carnival Australia is part of the global Carnival Corporation, and its brands operating in New Zealand include Princess Cruises, Carnival UK and the Cunard Line.
Carnival Australia chief executive Ann Sherry said the company would increase the number of cruises from 17 to 38 by 2012, increasing cross-Tasman passenger numbers from 35,000 to 80,000. Carnival Australia would offer 31 cruises to New Zealand next year.
"New Zealand is becoming to Australia what Alaska is to Americans - a very desirable holiday destination that’s ideal to visit by sea," Sherry said
Cruising in New Zealand
The New Zealand cruise ship season runs from October to April.
Auckland is the most-visited destination, but other regional ports such as Port Chalmers (Dunedin), Tauranga (Bay of Plenty), and Lyttelton (Christchurch) are also popular.
Visitors wanting an in-depth look at the country can choose from a variety of voyages that cruise the length of the country. Fiordland cruises offer breathtaking views of the rugged, mountainous South Island coastline, while trips through the sunny Bay of Islands showcase northern beaches and rich marine-life.
Tourism operators are committed to expanding the ever-growing market by offering more unique and diverse cruising experiences.
More information
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