NZ community celebrates P&O arrival

AN EARLY morning start to greet the arrival of P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer into Auckland Harbour today couldn’t wipe the smiles off the faces of those who turned out to celebrate the restart of international cruising in New Zealand (CW breaking news).

The first passenger ship to sail into Auckland in more than two years was enabled by the reopening of New Zealand’s maritime borders (CW 14 Jul), with Explorer met with a traditional Maori welcome after berthing at Queen’s Wharf.

Among those greeting the vessel were a number of local business operators which have been languishing during the cruise hiatus, along with Carnival Corporation President Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald, Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff and New Zealand Cruise Association head Debbie Summers (pictured).

The welcoming party also included Julie McEwen, a Kiwi who has been building an international reputation as a cruise director with P&O, while restaurateurs, providores and accommodation operators also hailed the expected economic contribution of cruising’s return.

Fitzgerald paid tribute to the country’s Government for “enabling cruising to be a part of New Zealand’s move to reconnect with the world following the challenges of the pandemic”.

“Explorer’s arrival in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland today is a signal that cruise tourism is poised to make a significant contribution to the restoration of the tourism economy,” she said.

“Looking further afield to the reopening of maritime borders in other parts of the Pacific, it is entirely appropriate that Pacific

Explorer is on an itinerary that includes calls in Fiji.

“We are looking forward to our ships also being able to return to beautiful destinations in New Caledonia and Vanuatu and to the progressive return to New Zealand ports of ships from our other cruise lines as the tourism sector continues to rebuild,” the Carnival chief added.

Fitzgerald noted P&O Australia was also preparing for Pacific

Explorer’s return to Auckland next year, where she will undertake her first homeported cruise season in three years.

“This is an exciting day for P&O and an exciting day for cruising and we thank New Zealand for today’s warm welcome,” she said.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Joel Katz said the New Zealand cruise community could now begin rebuilding an industry that was previously worth almost NZD$570 million a year to the country’s economy.

“We now have an opportunity to revive a sector that previously supported many thousands of jobs in communities right around the New Zealand coast,” he said.

Explorer will continue to make history next week, when she becomes the first international cruise ship to visit Fiji since the pandemic.