Cruise lines begin the post-Covid comeback
The first cruise ship to enter New Zealand waters since borders closed due to Covid-19 docked in Auckland yesterday, to much fanfare.
P&O’s Pacific Explorer entered Auckland harbour about 7.30am, after sailing from Sydney. The ship was met by support vessel Peretu, and tug boat Sparky, which gave a water cannon salute greeting.
Pacific Explorer docked at Queen’s Wharf for eight hours, before setting sail for Lautoka, Fiji.
Welcoming festivities included a private po¯whiri, kapa haka performance, and speeches from officials including the president of P&O Cruises Marguerite Fitzgerald, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, and P&O cruise director Julie McEwen.
“It’s been a hell of a ride the last couple of years,” Goff told the crowd of invited guests. He said he was looking forward to the “sheer joy” of having cruise tourists back in the city.
Pacific Explorer has 999 guest rooms and 11 guest decks, with a maximum capacity of 1998 passengers.
On July 31, New Zealand’s borders fully reopened to include cruise ships for the first time since March 2020.
The next ship due to visit Auckland is Majestic Princess, which arrives in October, kicking off the busy summer cruise season.
Pre-Covid, the cruise ship industry brought about $500 million into the New Zealand economy.