Insignia’s first Gisborne visit smooth sailing

Kite surfer John Lush adds action to an image of the Insignia. Photo by Paul Rickard.

THE luxury cruise liner Insignia made her debut visit to Gisborne yesterday and the latest cruise ship visit “could not have gone better” — especially when it came to getting 600-plus passengers ashore. The 180 metres-plus ship anchored in Poverty Bay at midday and departed again at about 7pm last night for Wellington.

“It was the easiest tendering process we have had with our cruise ship visits,” said Heart of Gisborne manager and cruise ship visit co-ordinator Lana Davy. “The Insignia had very quick and efficient tenders. They had unloaded just about all the passengers going ashore within the first hour.”

There were a lot of pre-booked tours organised yesterday and the free shuttle buses operated again. A kapa haka performance in Treble Court at 4pm was well attended again.

“The passengers we spoke to were really happy to be here,” Ms Davy said. “It was a great day all around.”

Some of the passengers on board were on a six-month “around the world in 180 days” tour.

“What a beautiful city you have — we love it here,” two American tourists on that world tour told The Herald.

Following port tradition, Eastland Port made a presentation to the ship’s captain on board yesterday to mark the Insignia’s first visit. The skipper received a framed ceremonial bone fish hook, carved at the Stone Studio, that signifies strength and safety in the water.

The cruise season rolls along, with the Emerald Princess due in the bay on Sunday at 10am. She is the largest cruise ship to call here so far, with 3000 passengers on board.