The New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) has expressed its disappointment that StatsNZ will no longer be providing cruise ship traveller and expenditure statistics due to budget and resource constraints.

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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After two years of closed maritime borders, this week’s news that cruise ships can return to Aotearoa’s waters without restrictions from 31 July has been greeted with a sense of cautious optimism and relief, says the New Zealand Cruise Association.

The Prime Minister’s announcement that the maritime border will reopen without added restrictions means cruise lines can start confirming port calls and preparing ships with certainty, says the association’s chair Debbie Summers.

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 has expressed its frustration yet again at the government’s failure to even indicate a timeline for a restart in this region. 

The association says that it is ‘most likely not until next year’, in its latest newsletter.

‘This month would ordinarily (whatever that means now) see the beginning of the New Zealand cruise season. However, port visits have reduced by 88%, with more to come.  It’s important to understand that cruise lines want to operate here but are unable to do so because of the New Zealand government prohibition on ships entering our maritime border.

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.’

The NZ Cruise Conference 2021 has been postponed until mid-year 2022.

Chairman Debbie Summers says this year has proven that the sector is still in a time of flux and change. ‘The board felt it is better to wait, get a semblance of a season under our belts in 2021-22 and organise something that is positive, value for money and with international speakers at this later time.

‘We are potentially looking at a series of regional updates with members as we travel the country over the remainder of 2021.’

Travel trade and tourism operators were last night clinging to at least some hope that PONANT’s domestic cruising season around New Zealand will take shape in one form or another.

Yesterday the cruise line was continuing to talk to Immigration NZ after its shock last minute decision to prevent Le Laperouse from coming to New Zealand – despite having the green light from the Ministry of Health. At the time of going to press it was believed a final decision would be made today.

Optimism is growing around the resumption of New Zealand based cruising, with PONANT releasing details of three cruises early next year.

The company says it is ‘working with authorities for a potential restart and looks forward to a positive result.’ PONANT adds that the objective is to ‘provide locals with a fabulous luxury expedition programme at the same time as giving economic benefits to