Huge month for cruise-ship visits

The arrival of more than 4500 cruise passengers in Dunedin today will herald the start of a veritable cruise ship armada arriving during February.

Sixteen cruise ships with an estimated combined capacity of more than 25,000 passengers are expected to arrive during February in what is believed to be the busiest cruise ship month on record.

The cruise ships range in size from the boutique 72-passenger Oceanic Discoverer to the 2500-passenger Diamond Princess, which arrives today.

Tourism Dunedin chief executive Hamish Saxton said the city was becoming an increasingly popular destination and its attractions were rated highly by cruise ship passengers.

More Australians were travelling on cruise ships than ever, and they often treated the trip as a "reconnaissance" for future trips, he said.

Port Otago commercial manager Peter Brown said it was looking like a very busy month for the port company.

"Cruise ship activity is an important part of our business."

Arriving today was Diamond Princess, along with first time visitor Pacific Jewel and its more than 2000 passengers.

Also of note this month is the expected arrival of a gays-only cruise, on the Volendam, on February 21.

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz