New Zealand prepares for a bumper 2023-24 cruise season

Jacqui Lloyd, CEO of the New Zealand Cruise Association, said around half of the ships have a passenger capacity of fewer than 1,000, ‘ensuring a more intimate and immersive experience for guests and access to our small ports and regions.’

Resounding success

Lloyd said New Zealand’s winter season has been a 'resounding success,’ with P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer home ported in Auckland for five months since July.

National cruise strategy

She said the national cruise strategy being developed by the NZCA and destination and marketing consultant Tony Rogers is on track to be released early November.

She said the strategy’s simplified focus is ‘right ships, in the right place at the right time’ and that interviews with stakeholders have been conducted.

MOU

The New Zealand Cruise Association is also in the final stages of renewing the memorandum of understanding with Tourism New Zealand, ‘reinforcing its commitment to collaboration and partnership.’  

‘We are in ongoing collaboration with Customs on the New Zealand Travel Declaration,’ Lloyd said.

‘The electronic NZTD will track arrivals by sea and air, including transit cruise passenger arrivals. 

‘Challenges related to onboard ship Wi-Fi and data access are being addressed for efficient NZTD reporting by crew members.’