Port Chalmers will be New Zealand's first port of call for the maiden season of the $1.4billion cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
The largest cruise ship to visit New Zealand will deliver an estimated $2.5million to Dunedin during three calls in 2016-17.
Capable of carrying almost 6500 guests and crew, Ovation will arrive for its inaugural day stay at Port Chalmers from Sydney, via Milford Sound, on December 22 next year.
Ovation is still being built in Germany, the third of the Quantum class of ships.
Its sister ships have already been launched.
Port Otago expects cruise ship visits to increase more than 20% during the 2016-17 season.
Royal Caribbean Asia and Pacific commercial director Sean Treacy said Ovation would inject $15million into New Zealand's economy in its first cruise season.
It was scheduled to make 18 calls in the country during the three cruises.
Port Chalmers would host the ship once in December 2016 and twice in January 2017.
Each day call would last about 8-10 hours.
Of all the Australasian cruises on offer, New Zealand was the most popular destination, because of its diversity, he said.
''Dunedin's the jumping off point for experiencing the iconic South Island dream, which people want to experience for themselves,'' Mr Treacy, in Sydney, said yesterday.
During 2016-17, there will be 21 Royal Caribbean cruises for New Zealand, including 10 from vessels with sister company Celebrity Cruises.
''Dunedin has one of the most highly rated ports in the world,'' he said.
Each passenger was expected to spend ashore $172 on average, he said.
Mr Treacy said Royal Caribbean's marine team had been working closely with Port Otago to ensure the Ovation could be accommodated up the lower harbour channel.
Port Otago chief executive Geoff Plunket said the harbour had a six-hour arrival window for Ovation, due to tides.
It could depart on any tide.
Most cruise ships would be able to arrive and depart during all tide phases.
While next season's's cruise ship numbers will decline from 75 last season to 70, more passengers would arrive at Port Chalmers, he said.
In 2016-17, 85 visits were expected.
Port Otago would not bring forward recent proposals to widen the lower harbour channel near Harington Point, Mr Plunket said.
Channel widening would require new consents.
