The Anthem of the Seas was due in Napier on Friday. Photo / Royal Caribbean
The Anthem of the Seas was due in Napier on Friday. Photo / Royal Caribbean
Shops and eateries in Napier city centre have missed out on a big day of trading, after an enormous cruise ship skipped its visit to the city on Friday due to large swells.
The Anthem of the Seas, which has capacity for almost 5000 passengers, was due to berth inNapier Port on Friday morning and leave late afternoon.
A Napier Port spokesman confirmed swell conditions on Friday morning meant it was unable to safely berth.
It was the largest cruise ship scheduled to visit the city this summer cruise season, which started in November and runs through until April.
A silver lining is the huge vessel has three more scheduled visits to the city – in January, February and March.
Napier Port has 60 cruise visits scheduled for the 2025-26 cruise season. Photo / Supplied
“This Napier call has been cancelled for this itinerary. The vessel is due back to Napier on Friday, January 2,” the port spokesman said.
“It’s disappointing for visitors and local operators, but from time to time the weather does cause disruptions, and the decision was made in the interests of safety.”
The cruise season got underway relatively late this year in Napier, and shops and eateries were looking forward to a big day of trading.
Adore Collection, which has two stores in Napier CBD, co-owner Sally Holyer said the missed visit would have a big financial impact.
“We stock up tremendously beforehand, [and] it is also the knock-on effect to our local suppliers, our local artists, etc, because they also want to be paid.
“So it is just such a shame to lose 5000 people coming into town.”
The Emerson St shopping precinct in Napier during a previous big cruise day. Photo / Paul Taylor
She said, unfortunately, there was nothing that can be done about the weather.
“We still have another 58 or so [cruises] to come.
“There is a huge one in again next Friday, and there is a small one in tomorrow [Saturday].”
She said when there was a big cruise ship in Napier, the city was booming.
“Town absolutely thrives and is bustling when there are 5000 extra people in.
“Any of the big ships are phenomenal financially for the town.”
Napier City Business, which advocates for businesses in the city centre, posted on social media encouraging locals to support shops and eateries.
“With [Friday’s] cruise ship unable to berth due to large swells, many of our CBD eateries and cafes were up early preparing extra food for what was expected to be a huge day – the Anthem carries nearly 5000 passengers.
“Help avoid food waste and support local. Grab lunch or a treat in the city today!”
There were 60 cruise visits scheduled for Napier this summer season, about a 30% drop from a record 89 visits in the 2023-24 season. Ports across the country are experiencing similar, or even worse, declines this season.
