Call for volunteer guides

More volunteer ambassadors are needed to help cruise ship passengers get an enjoyable experience in Wellington this summer.

Adele Fitzpatrick, who manages marketing for the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, expects 86 cruise ships this season.

In the last cruise season 76 ships and 230,000 passengers got a taste of Wellington.

Fitzpatrick said it was important to have enough friendly cruise ambassadors on the ground to ensure passengers got a warm welcome as soon as they disembarked.

‘‘With cruise numbers growing all the time, we need to find enough volunteers to welcome passengers to the city,’’ Fitzpatrick said.

For the upcoming season, starting in October, 40 new ambassadors are needed to help the 117 already on the books.

The Wellington Cruise Ambassadors team is made up with people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages – from enthusiastic students to retirees eager to showcase the city.