‘Ovation of Seas’ to stay in city an extra day

Ovation of the Seas visited Dunedin in January. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Ovation of the Seas visited Dunedin in January. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
A forecast of rough weather means cruise ship Ovation of the Seas  will spend an extra day in Dunedin.

The roughly 5800 passengers and crew of the largest cruise ship to regularly enter New Zealand will disembark at Port Chalmers about 11.30am tomorrow, a day earlier than scheduled.

Royal Caribbean International, which owns the ship, said the change was due to forecast "inclement weather".

It would mean the passengers would miss out on excursions in the Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds.

Dunedin i-Site visitor centre manager Louise van de Vlierd said businesses were notified as soon as possible yesterday.

"We all have a day and a-half to prepare, which is a bonus."

The early arrival was "fantastic news", she said.

It would mean eight days in a row of cruise ships, which was "great for the town".

She was confident the city could handle the early arrival.

"We’ve made all the plans to make sure volunteers will be at the port to greet them as soon as they arrive."

The Bronz Toy Run motorcycle fundraiser was scheduled to arrive at the Octagon at 2.45pm.

Ms van de Vlierd said alternative plans had been made to drop off the passengers in Moray Pl instead.

The  Bronz Toy Run would be an exciting addition to the day for the cruise ship passengers, she said.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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