The last big cruise ship of summer docked at Tauranga this morning, bringing thousands of tourists to the city and capping off a stellar cruise ship season.
The Australian-based Pacific Dawn berthed in the Port of Tauranga at 6.30am and was expected to sail again at 4.30pm.
The 70,000 tonne ship is carrying
about 2000 passengers and is the last of the major cruise ships to visit Tauranga in the 2010/2011 season.
The smaller ship Spirit of Enderby is due to visit twice in April
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Glenn Ormsby said this season had been "absolutely fantastic".
International Cruise Council general manager Brett Jardine said there was a growing interest in cruising worldwide.
The latest International Cruise Council Australasia statistics showed the number of New Zealand cruise passenger numbers rose 36 per cent last year, compared to 2009.
"Cruising is booming all over the world and New Zealand is very much part of this growth story."
Nationally, the number of New Zealanders taking a cruise holiday reached a record high, with 42,886 Kiwis heading to sea last year, according to new figures released yesterday. "These latest figures show that New Zealanders are responding enthusiastically to the expanding range of cruise holiday options in local waters and overseas," Mr Jardine said.
Statistics revealed 54 per cent of passengers cruised in local waters last year, with 42 per cent (18,153 passengers) opting for a South Pacific holiday,9 per cent (3862) sailing in Australian waters and 3 per cent in New Zealand.
Further afield, Europe was the biggest drawcard attracting 20 per cent of New Zealand passengers (8390) while Alaska appealed to 5 per cent (2281).
Six per cent of passengers (2372) chose a river cruise.
In other trends, the popularity of shorter cruises (seven days or less) increased by 25 per cent and longer cruises (15 days or more) decreased to around 15 per cent in 2010, down from 26 per cent in 2009.
Pacific Dawn
Capacity: 2020 passengers.
Number of decks: 11.
Length: 245m.
Weight: 70,310 tonnes.
Built: 1991.
Maximum speed: 22.5 knots (41km/h).
Features: Two swimming pools, five restaurants, nine bars and lounges, library, duty-free shopping, medical centre, gym and health spa and jogging track.
