Ovation of the Seas welcomed
The Bay of Islands welcomed Ovation of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship to visit Northland, last Thursday.
Almost 5000 passengers disembarked at the Waitangi wharf from the cruise ship which docked between Tapeka and Waitangi at 7am.
Port speaker Albert Kake-Tana says most of the ship’s passengers were Australian nationals.
‘‘The Bay of Islands is one of the most popular ports of call, with the most popular being the Milford Sounds. People love the scenery here and love to meet the locals.
‘‘Also the fact that this is where the nation was born with New Zealand’s first capital - they love the historic part. Some come back year after year.’’
The Royal Carribean’s
is 348-metres long. If stood up, the cruise liner would be 20m higher than the Sky Tower.
Observer Mazz drove over two hours to see the ship.
‘‘I love ships, I got up at 5am, but it was worth it. It’s the biggest ship I’ve ever seen and I couldn’t miss this opportunity.’’
Sydney passengers Dennis and Lesley Mann were keen to see a ‘‘beautiful part of the world’’.
While Lesley had visited 90 Mile Beach and sailed around the Bay of Islands, it was husband Dennis’ first trip to New Zealand.
The pair had booked a local tour and were set to visit local wineries.
‘‘We are sailors so we look at that [ship] and think oh my God,’’ Lesley says.
The pair were also in search of a good coffee.
‘‘Instead of drinking coffee, we have been drinking cocktails - non alcoholic ones before lunch.’’
Royal Carribean sales manager Mark Kinchley says the response to the eight-month-old state of the art ship’s visits to New Zealand have been beyond their wildest dreams.
‘‘It has a huge effect on the local economy, which is great to see. The weather is unbelievable.’’
Ovation of the Seas will return on February 5 to Waitangi.
‘‘That will be quite special for guests and we are also due back next season.’’
From Waitangi the ship is destined for Tauranga and would also make stops in Auckland, Wellington, Picton, Dunedin and Milford Sound before returning to Sydney after what would be a 14-day voyage.
The last tender returned passengers to the ship at 6pm.