New Zealand cruise season getting under way after three-year hiatus

The 3,560-passenger ship departed Vancouver, BC on September 21 and has called at Los Angeles, Honolulu and Papeete.

She visits Auckland on Sunday and Bay of Islands on Monday before heading for Sydney, arriving  October 20.

Shore excursions

Debbie Summers, executive director of ID Tours, has bookings for shore excursions for more than 1,500 passengers at the three New Zealand ports.

‘This first visit by Princess Cruises signifies a cementing of the survival for many tour operators, tourism venues, retailers, hospitality and other businesses connected to the cruise tourism industry throughout our region,’ Summers said.

Long time coming

‘This day has been a long time coming and our country desperately needs the vibrancy that cruise visitors give to our streets and communities.’

Princess Cruises will make 129 port visits in New Zealand during this cruise season, including Tauranga, Port Chalmers, Auckland, Lyttleton, Wellington, Napier, Picton, Bay of Islands and Fiordland.