The start of Dunedin's cruise ship season has been delayed by two weeks, with the news the first scheduled visit has been cancelled.
The city's visitor industry is disappointed Sea Princess, which can carry up to 2056 passengers and 930 crew, is in dry dock and will not be stopping in Dunedin as scheduled on October 8.
But all going well, it will still be the first cruise ship for the season, as its next visit is scheduled for October 22. Eighty cruise ship visits had been scheduled for Dunedin and Port Chalmers this season.
The Australian newspaper reported nearly 2000 passengers due to set sail on Sea Princess were told on Monday their New Zealand cruise had been cancelled because of technical issues.
The newspaper said the cancellation was the latest in a string of problems to beset the ship, including technical problems affecting its ability to sail at full speed and illness on board.
A company spokesman apologised and said all passengers would receive a full refund of their cruise fare, air costs, taxes, fees and port expenses and a future cruise credit equal to the cruise fare paid for the voyage.
Dunedin City Council visitor industry business development adviser Sophie Barker said the cancellation would also hit Dunedin. Each visit by Sea Princess was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city's businesses.
The news was ''massively disappointing'' for Dunedin, especially as she had just spoken with businesses at the weekend about the coming season and everybody was ready and excited.
''At least we still have 79 to go. Let's hope for smooth sailing for the rest of the season.''
Taieri Gorge Railway chief executive Murray Bond said the railway had already increased its staff levels and pushed its maintenance forward to be ready for October 8.
It had been expecting 500-600 customers that day on three special trips, in addition to the public train trip.
Living Light Candle Dunedin manager Jude Sleeman said it was sad news, as many retailers would be relying on the income.
''It's been very quiet, retail-wise, over winter.''
Speight's Brewery tour manager Chris Snow said cruise ship business was very important to the city but the nature of the business meant there would be the odd cancellation.
''We've just got to look forward to the next one.''
