Wind prevents cruise ship from entering port

It was to have been the biggest week on Dunedin's cruise ship calendar, but the late cancellation yesterday of a visit by a large cruise ship has left a tourism operator reeling.

The 2000 passengers on board Pacific Jewel were scheduled to arrive at Port Chalmers yesterday morning, but strong gusty winds at the entrance to Otago Harbour prevented the ship entering the harbour for its scheduled 6.45am berthing.

The visit was cancelled at 10.30am.

The cancellation could not have come at a worse time for an already struggling tourism industry, Taieri Gorge Railway chief executive Murray Bond said.

A Taieri Gorge excursion train was scheduled to pick up 350 passengers from Pacific Jewel, but its cancellation cost the company "tens of thousands of dollars".

"We will take a massive hit from this," he said.

In addition to cancelling catering orders, dozens of volunteers were sent home early, he said.

Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours owner-operator John Milburn said one pre-booked vessel had to be cancelled, during what is traditionally the busiest month for tourists.

"The down-side is that we had to turn other business away for the scheduled cruise ship trip."

Larnach Castle marketing manager Deborah Price said the company was "disappointed" by the cancellation, which impacted on revenue and made it difficult for staff and management.

"We hate it when this happens."

P&O Cruises spokesman David Jones said the Port Chalmers visit was called off solely because of the strong prevailing winds.

The vessel's management, in consultation with the Port Otago pilot, made the decision to cancel after facing 30-knot winds, with gusts between 40 and 50 knots.

A 25-knot maximum was the safest level a vessel could enter the harbour, he said.

"P&O Cruises is always disappointed when a call has to be cancelled, but the safety and security of our passengers, crew and ship come first."

Mr Jones said it was "relatively uncommon" for a visit to be cancelled, and terms and conditions stated compensation was not available for any weather-related disruptions to cruise ships.

Dunedin City Council Visitor Centre team leader Louise Van De Vlierd said with seven vessels expected in the city over a six-day period, it was the busiest cruise ship week this season.

In recent years, it had been rare for Dunedin to have a cruise ship cancellation.

The arrival of Dawn Princess from Sydney on Christmas Day was delayed because of poor weather, she said.

Two large cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in Dunedin this morning.

A MetService spokesman said gusty southeasterly winds were predicted to die out by this morning, and be replaced with northeasterly winds up to 27kmh at Taiaroa Head.

Pacific Dawn, with 2000 passengers is due to arrive from Milford Sound at 7am and Sun Princess, with 1900 passengers, is expected to arrive from Lyttelton at 7.30am.

Both are due to depart at 6pm, Pacific Dawn for Lyttelton and Sun Princess for Milford Sound.

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz