The Silver Nova arrives next on December 14, followed by the Noordam on December 15, Norwegian Spirit on January 1, Silver Nova again on January 11, Azamara Pursuit on January 17, Norwegian Spirit on January 30 and Seven Seas Navigator on February 4.
Last summer, Gisborne was scheduled to host 21 cruise visits, but some were cancelled because of poor weather.
More than 5600 passengers came ashore over the cruise season.
“It’s disappointing to see the drop-off in the number of visits this season,” a ship agent’s spokesman said.
Cruise ship companies have cut back on their visits to New Zealand this summer because of the costs involved and the regulations.
“Hopefully there will be more visits next season.”
The cruise industry in New Zealand was earlier this year described as “the canary in the coalmine for tourism and right now it’s seasick”.
One New Zealand-based operator told the NZ Herald the country was over-regulated and overpriced and this was discouraging the big overseas cruise lines from coming here.
Disney Cruise Line confirmed its exit from New Zealand, saying it would not return. Costs in this region were blamed.
Industry group the Cruise Line Association said while Government ministers understood the importance of the $1.3 billion-a-year industry, cost increases and difficulties operating here mean it was in the doldrums for two years at least.
