|
The 109,000-ton, 2,600 guest capacity ship is the first of 25 ships to make 57 calls to Auckland during the full summer and winter cruise season, which runs through until August next year. It arrived early on Friday morning, 16 October.
Managing Director Jens Madsen said that while the economic situation had impacted some international cruise operators, the New Zealand market had shown resilience.
“Despite a slight drop in the number of cruise ship calls this season, we are hearing positive reports from around the industry and are expecting a speedy recovery.”
“Bookings for the next 2010/2011 season are currently sitting at 69 calls,” said Mr Madsen.
“We are hosting 25% more cruise ship calls this season than we did just three years ago, and have also seen an increase in winter cruise calls over the last two years."
Star Princess carried onto Wellington on the following sunday.
Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) Chief Executive David Perks says cruise passenger and crew numbers in the capital surged 61% to 102,000 in 2008/09, compared to 63,500 the previous summer. There will be fewer ships but similar visitor numbers this season, with up to 100,000 guests forecast and 47 vessels currently booked to stop by. Last year’s season is estimated to have been worth $32 million to Wellington.
The withdrawal of Millennium - which visited the city 13 times last summer - from Australasian waters this year, along with the re-routing of four South Pacific itineraries by Volendam, is being offset by increased visitation by Rhapsody, Dawn Princess and Sun Princess.
Wellington’s operators and attractions had coped incredibly well with the huge increase in demand last year, Mr Perks says.
“The cruise sector has unique needs, with large passenger volumes and quick turnarounds. We’ve been working closely with the industry over winter to ensure Wellington businesses understand the changes in and demands of the market and can adapt accordingly. We want our visitors to have the best experience and our city to get the most value.”
CentrePort Chief Executive Blair O’Keeffe says an upgrade of the walkway from the arrivals area to the CBD would further enhance cruise visitors’ experience this season.
The profile of cruise visitors this season looks set to reflect general industry trends, with more Australian passengers and a decrease in American visitors, Mr Perks says
|
