The arrival of a cruise ship in Auckland has marked the start of the 2026\/27 cruise season, with operator Princess Cruises planning to significantly increase its visits to regional New Zealand from 2028.<\/p>\n
The Crown Princess arrived in Auckland’s Waitemat\u0101 Harbour this Saturday morning, marking the beginning of the new cruise season.<\/p>\n
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said more than 200,000 cruise passengers were expected to visit New Zealand between now and the end of June.<\/p>\n
Auckland’s cultural, events and destination agency T\u0101taki Auckland Unlimited expected the cruise sector to contribute more than $200 million to the local economy this season.<\/p>\n
But director Annie Dundas said passenger numbers remained below the levels seen in previous years.<\/p>\n
There was growth on the horizon, she said, with Princess Cruises planning to double its number of port calls in New Zealand from the 2028\/29 season.<\/p>\n
Under the plans, Princess Cruises would visit nine New Zealand ports, including Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Picton, Napier and Timaru, as well as offering scenic cruising through Fiordland.<\/p>\n
The company said the expanded schedule would make it New Zealand’s largest cruise operator.<\/p>\n
The Crown Princess, which can carry about 3,080 guests, was completing a 114-day world cruise when it arrived in Auckland.<\/p>\n