The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) has hit back at Covid related criticism of the industry, citing international research that shows serious cases resulting in hospitalisation are considerably less than on land.

More than 200 tour operators, cruise executives, travel trade, regional tour office reps and others involved in the sector attended the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference yesterday. Held at the Aotea Centre, Auckland it was the first time the conference had been staged since 2019.

• Megan Porter, Norwegian Cruise Line;... Megan Porter, Norwegian Cruise Line;...
• Ben Dale, Akorn Destination Management;... Ben Dale, Akorn Destination Management;...
• Blair Anderson, Waimarino Glow Worm... Blair Anderson, Waimarino Glow Worm...
• Jason Hill, Tourism Talent; Oscar... Jason Hill, Tourism Talent; Oscar...
• Catching up at the end... Catching up at the end...
• James Chatterley, Event Dynamics; Jason... James Chatterley, Event Dynamics; Jason...
• Thanks for everything… New Zealand... Thanks for everything… New Zealand...
• Michael Mihajlov, Carnival Australia; Stuart... Michael Mihajlov, Carnival Australia; Stuart...
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New Zealand Cruise Association is warning that New Zealand risks losing millions of dollars unless the Government can confirm as soon as possible when our maritime borders will reopen.

The association says the continuing lack of certainty on the future of the cruise sector is also putting at risk hundreds of ailing tourism businesses that support the cruise sector around the country.

The New Zealand Cruise Association says its ‘most realistic estimate’ is that the industry here will not crank up until the last quarter of 2022.

Chief executive officer Kevin O’Sullivan says this is based on the considerable time it will taker to work with the government through acceptable procedures and protocols which are in place successfully in other countries but still have to be agreed by our officials.

‘These talks have not yet begun but could start once New Zealand achieves vaccination rates above 90%.’

The Milford Opportunities Project’s masterplan has innovative, bold and challenging ideas that could radically change the way we look after one of the jewels in New Zealand’s tourism crown, Tourism Industry Aotearoa says.

‘The Milford corridor from Te Anau to the Sound is a key tourism asset for New Zealand and as such demands special attention,’ TIA chief executive Chris Roberts says.

‘TIA supports the overall vision of the new masterplan. Many of the details will need to be closely examined and discussed, but the debate is necessary as the way Milford Sound Piopiotahi has been operating is not sustainable.’

Princess Cruises has been largely exonerated in the report of the Australian Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess cruise ship coronavirus outbreak.  he report was released last Friday 14 and the Commissioner heavily criticised Australian health officials. 

Kevin O’Sullivan, chief executive of the New Zealand Cruise Association, says the organisation is pleased with the outcome. ‘It has been a very stressful time for Carnival and Princess because of mismanagement by Australian health agencies.’

The inquiry found ‘serious errors’ by New South Wales Health in its handling of suspected cases on board.

‘The Commission’s report confirms that none of our people — the Captain, the ship’s doctor, or members of our shore side port agency team — misled public authorities involved in Ruby Princess being permitted to disembark guests on March 19,’ says Jan Swartz, group president, Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia.
 
‘This finding is of great importance to us because it goes to the integrity of our people. In our more than 20 years in Australia, we have always sought to cooperate honestly and professionally with officials in accordance with the regulatory environment.
 
‘We acknowledge the Commission’s specific comments about Carnival Australia, and we will consider these comments to the fullest possible extent,’ Swartz adds.
 
Princess Cruises also welcomes the Commission’s attention to improving information sharing and coordination among government agencies in the future. In our submission to the inquiry, we agreed that this area deserved consideration. We look forward to collaborating with government agencies and industry peers to improve these systems.

The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) says it is imperative not to ‘waste the next month or two’ and wants close collaboration with government on what its expectations are from cruise – in the short, medium and longer terms.

The statement comes after the Prime Minister announced the continuing suspension of cruising in New Zealand until at least the end of September.

The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) has called for the cruise industry to share stories about why cruise is important.

‘Talk to anybody and everybody using whatever media, social media outlet you are comfortable with,’ says CEO Kevin O’Sullivan. ‘The cruise industry in New Zealand will recover, but it needs your help.’