It wasn’t because they were terrified. It was because they could see Santa Claus and one of his elves approaching, on a jet ski.
It was the last thing they expected on their short story-telling cruise down the harbour to the Ravensdown fertiliser works and back.
Elf (Brendan Dorman) pulled up alongside and his passenger, Santa (David Chronican), clambered aboard with a bag of presents.
He was mobbed by the children and the screaming subsided as the distribution of presents began.
The excitement continued when they arrived back at the Harbour Basin, because a fire engine was there to whisk Santa away.
Mr Chronican, who also works as a Monarch Wildlife Cruises tour bus driver, said he was delighted to be selected for the role of Santa, because he got to put a smile on the children’s faces.
But he was not a fan of doing it on a jet ski. Fortunately the harbour was calm.
Clearly taking his role as Santa very seriously, he said: "I would have much preferred my sleigh, but the reindeer have been in training and they need to rest up before they start their big journey around the world on Thursday night".
Monarch Wildlife Cruises owner Neil Harraway said the Christmas Kids’ Cruise was a way to recognise the service given to the community by some of the essential workers and their children, who were on board the cruise.
"They are a big part of keeping New Zealand safe during this crazy year, and we really appreciate their work."
He said the visit was also to thank Dunedin for supporting the business in the wake of the lockdown.
"Despite a huge drop in business from last year’s busy cruise ship and coach tour summer, local people have supported the Monarch well in the lead-up to Christmas."
