The world's second-biggest cruise company says it will be bringing its largest number of passengers to Dunedin this summer, a bright spot in a season that is predicted to be slightly smaller overall than the last.
A Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) New Zealand spokesperson said the line was set to bring 34,000 passengers to Dunedin during the 2014-15 cruise season. The was the company's largest local season yet.
The first Royal Caribbean ship in port will be Celebrity Solstice on November 10 with more than 2500 passengers.
Cruise New Zealand has calculated that during the previous cruise season, cruise tourism brought about $365.3 million into the New Zealand economy. It is estimated that, on average, international cruise passengers spend $100 to $150 a day in port.
Booking data shows the period between October and December 2014 will be a peak time for international guests.
RCL Australia and New Zealand commercial director Sean Treacy said the season represented ''a real investment'' in the local tourism economy by the international cruise line.
''Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are committed to New Zealand and Australia and we're very excited to be bringing the latest in world-class innovations to attract guests to NZ shores,'' he said.
The combined fleet meant 82 cruises were available with the company throughout Australian, New Zealand, Asian and South Pacific waters.
The 2014-15 season was initially expected to bring 136,000 passengers to Dunedin across all cruise companies.
It has got off to a rocky start with the first cruise ship of the season, Sea Princess carrying 1950 passengers, cancelling its visit scheduled for October 8.
Dunedin City Council Economic Development Unit business development adviser Sophie Barker said the prediction was that the season would be 1% smaller than the last even before the cancellation.
''Royal Caribbean will be bringing the most passengers they have ever brought into Dunedin, which is fantastic for the city. They have had NZ 600% growth from 2010-11 to 2015-16. New Zealand delivers very high satisfaction to passengers, so this is obviously showing in their growth figures,'' she said.
Cruise NZ predicted the 2015-16 season would see a greater level of growth, up 13% to 154,000. This would contribute $42 million to the New Zealand economy.
The Star understands 2017 could also be a big season with next-generation Quantum class cruise ships capable of carrying more than 4000 passengers expected in Dunedin.
Port Otago manager Peter Brown said the port's pilots would be carrying out computer simulations to determine whether these ships could safely dock in Dunedin. These were due to be completed by the end of the month.
- by Jonathan Chilton-Towle
