Ten cruise ships carrying a potential 19,200 passengers are scheduled to call at the Port of Napier this month - among them a true giant of the oceans.
The 90,090 gross tonne Radiance of the Seas is due to arrive in port on November 27 - the same day as
the 70,000 gross tonne Pacific Dawn. Both ships are set to arrive, and depart, within an hour of each other.
At 293m in length and able to carry 2501 passengers, the Radiance of the Seas is the largest cruise liner to call into the Bay over the summer season. Also among the luxury visitors will be the Dawn Princess, due to arrive on November 22.
Its previous planned visit to Napier last Wednesday was foiled by a mechanical problem.
Tourism economists have estimated that the average sea-borne visitor to the region spends about $85 a day - which, if the ships were to arrive at capacity and the passengers eager to spend, would mean a $1,615,000 November windfall for the region.
