Cruise numbers to Canterbury triple

Larger capacity ships and more passenger liners positioned in the South Pacific for longer are boosting Canterbury’s cruise numbers to triple the level of three years ago.

Giant passenger ship Star Princess, carrying a total of 3,800 passengers and crew, arrives in Lyttelton tomorrow (Thursday 29 October). Over the next five months Canterbury will host 65 ship calls to Lyttelton (52), Akaroa (7) and Kaikoura (6).

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince says the economic impact of cruise to the local region is significant. In the 2008/09 season cruise visitors are estimated to have directly spent $22.7 million in Canterbury.

“We are hosting three times more cruise visitors this season than we did just three years ago. Our numbers have leapt from 35,000 in 2006/2007 to around 100,000 this year, mainly from America, Australia and the UK. And next season Canterbury is expected to host even more large cruise liners, with strong bookings already in place,” Ms Prince says.

“Cruise ship arrivals give a huge boost to our summer season and they benefit operators across the region and city both now and for years to come. More than 40 per cent of cruise visitors enjoy their time here so much that they choose to return for longer stays.”

Capt. Peter Rea, Port Operations Manager for ISS-McKay Limited in Lyttelton says the cruise industry’s growth is set to continue with even more ships next season, as ship fleets expand worldwide, new larger ships are launched and more people perceive cruising as great holiday value.

“The following seasons, 2010/11 and 2011/12, are shaping up to be even better than this year, and already we have 98 Lyttelton port call bookings alone for the next two years. Akaroa is attracting more large cruise ship calls than ever before and this trend is likely to continue.”

Christine Prince says passenger ship arrivals every week from now until April present big opportunities for local businesses.

“Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism and our i-SITE Visitor Centre are working with operators to ensure we can support them.

“Passengers receive a warm welcome as soon as they step on to the quay. Our i-SITE Visitor Centre staff are on hand at a special kiosk at Lyttelton providing information and advice for cruise visitors wanting to explore the region for the day,” she says.

“We help represent top visitor attractions throughout the city such as The Arts Centre, Christchurch Grand Tour and Christchurch Cathedral, and can arrange day tours out of town to places like Terrace Downs and experiences such as Alpine Jet and Jet Thrills, and closer to Lyttelton, the Timeball Station and Black Cat Cruises are ideal options for day visitors.

“This region’s shops, restaurants, cafes, visitor attractions and ground transport operators all benefit enormously from the impact of cruise ship passengers who choose to sightsee here. Our job is to ensure we bring as much enjoyment to them and as much value to our economy as possible.”

Highlights of the coming season include Christmas Day, when the 2500-passenger Diamond Princess will be berthed at Lyttelton. Three ships will be in Lyttelton Harbour on one day, 28 January, hosting a total of 4000 passengers and crew while February will be a busy month with 16 passenger ship visits including Cunard’s luxury liner Queen Victoria arriving on 15 February with 4,000 passengers and crew. On 12 and 20 February two large ships will be in port together at Lyttelton.

“Our challenge is to ensure all this season’s passengers have such a fabulous time in Christchurch and Canterbury that they decide to make a return visit.”

Capt. Peter Rea says the arrival into Lyttelton of the world’s largest passenger ship, the Queen Mary 2 in February, 2011 will be a highlight of next season.

The Rugby World Cup in 2011 will also see more ships coming to the region and staying longer in port to boost the city’s accommodation capacity before, during and after the event.

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Star Princess arrives at 6.45am on Thursday 29 October to dock at Cashin Quay, Lyttelton.