Port Otago general manager commercial Peter Brown said the port itself was busier than usual yesterday morning because of the extra cruise ship visitors.
The 285m Noordam, which can carry more than 1900 passengers, did not leave until shortly before 1pm yesterday instead of its earlier scheduled departure for Akaroa late on Sunday afternoon.
Some visitors did some sightseeing and shopping in the port, while others visited the Port Chalmers Regional Maritime Museum.
Dunedin i-Site visitor centre manager Louise van de Vlierd said some other passengers travelled into central Dunedin by shuttle, and she understood some set out early in the morning and visited Larnach Castle, on Otago Peninsula.
Forecast bad weather means another cruise ship, the 2600-passenger Golden Princess, will not come to Dunedin today as earlier scheduled.
But Dawn Princess, which can carry 1998 passengers, is due to arrive at 7.30am today, leaving at 5.45pm.
