Auckland proving popular amongst cruise goers

Friday, January 9th, 2015

Media Release

Auckland proving popular amongst cruise goers

The country’s economic hub is proving to be a popular destination for an increasing number of cruise companies with seven maiden callers since 2013.

The 2014/15 cruise season is expecting an entirely new cruise line visiting New Zealand and in an unusual occurrence, there will be five days where the Port will host three of the magnificent ships simultaneously.

Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL) predicts an average of one to two cruise ship visits per week each carrying 2,360 passengers and 731 crew – a 10,000 person increase on the previous season.

These rising figures are a testimony to the growing popularity of the cruise industry.

The value added benefit to the Auckland economy is projected to be $1.8 million per cruise ship this season, supporting nearly 2,700 jobs.

The 2014/2015 summer period will see more cruise passengers to Auckland than ever before with the Voyager of the Seas bringing in a whopping 3,800 passengers.

The vessel made its first record breaking visit on 13 December 2014 and returned to Princes Wharf this past week with the same substantial number of visitors.

“Large passenger discharges such as these present a myriad of potential challenges, particularly in terms of getting passengers off the vessel and through terminal facilities under immense time pressure,” says POAL Manager Marine and Cruise Operations, Leigh Robins.

“Our team creates easily navigated channels, which passengers can flow through and still meet the on-wharf passenger processing requirements. It involves extensive planning, initiative and flexibility to ensure operations run efficiently,” she said.

Unlike many other ports internationally, the vessels dock in the heart of the city’s revitalised waterfront, at Princes and Queens Wharves, facilitating spend on local tourist attractions and in the CBD retail hub.

ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says Auckland’s non-stop summer has had a good start with 35 cruise ships visiting Auckland in the 2014/2015 cruise season to date.

“Auckland receives significant GDP return from the provisioning and refuelling of cruise ships, and money spent by passengers and crew during exchanges. More than 257,000 passengers and crew are expected to visit this season,” says Mr O’Riley.

Auckland plays a key role in the tourism industry at a nationwide level as the primary exchange point for cruise ships – where passengers embark or disembark their vessel, and where ships are re-provisioned.

POAL supports the continuing growth of the cruise industry in Auckland through its role of providing a highly efficient service for cruise lines, their passengers and crew when they visit Auckland. Ports of Auckland manage all cruise ship visits to Auckland and provide piloting and towage services as well as cruise terminal operations.

Quick Facts

• In 2013/14, the Port hosted calls from 34 cruise ships making 88 visits.

• Over 195,000 passengers and crew were processed in the last year.

• 2014/15 will see 3 maiden callers and one entirely new cruise line visiting Auckland

• There are five cruise ships in the world that are over 320m in length and Auckland already handles the 340m long Queen Mary 2.

ENDS

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