Dunedin is a charming city with gorgeous architecture, if a bit "claustrophobic", a pair of visiting Australian tourists say.
Carnival Splendor arrived in Port Chalmers from Fiordland about 7.30am yesterday to mark the start of the 2025-26 cruise ship season.
The 290m-long vessel is estimated to carry a capacity of 3012 guests, along with 1150 crew members.
Among the hundreds of tourists arriving in the city yesterday were Deb Young and Gordon Collett, of Queensland.
It was the pair’s first time in Dunedin, and Mr Collett said his first impression of the city was "claustrophobic".
"Too small.
"Everything’s on top of each other."
"The architecture is gorgeous."
Neither were aware they had arrived on the first cruise ship of the season.
Dunedin Railways general manager Rebekah Jenkins said about 750 travellers were expected to pass through Dunedin Railway Station over the long weekend.
"With Carnival Splendor arriving as the first cruise ship of the season and the Southerner pulling into Dunedin, the railway station has been buzzing all weekend."
Its Taieri Gorge and Seasider services had both operated on Saturday, Mrs Jenkins said.
Two trains accommodated independent travellers, locals, a tour group, cruise passengers and guests arriving on the Southerner yesterday.
Dunedin i-Site Visitor Information Centre team leader Izumi Nakamura said they experienced "an exceptionally high volume of inquiries" yesterday.
"For local tour bookings alone, we processed reservations for over 350 individuals."
Till records showed they sold more than 600 retail items yesterday, Ms Nakamura said.
About 20 protesters representing Climate Liberation Aotearoa and Extinction Rebellion gathered at the railway station and in Port Chalmers yesterday to meet cruise passengers.
Global Cruise Activist Network Dunedin branch spokesman Bruce Mahalski said they were wearing masks and distributing information about the cruise industry.
"We just want people to make informed decisions."
