Cruise desination - New Zealand

Cruise New Zealand, the body for the cruise industry in the islands, has noted a threefold increase in cruise visits over the past decade. The industry has grown from 27 cruises and 19,400 passengers in the 1996/97 season to 98 cruises and 116,200 passengers last year. New Zealand’s cruise season runs from the end of September to April and last year it earned more than $204 million for local businesses. Americans were the most prolific cruisers, making up 39 percent of international passengers. There may be problems ahead though: CNZ says ports are already feeling the strain of such rapid growth, and infrastructure and tourist services were struggling to cope at a number of passengers and larger ships are causing delays in disembarkation for trips to wineries, or to ‘Lord Of The Rings’ country.