Call to greet first cruise ship of season as it docks tomorrow

The Sea Princess is one of the 84 cruise ships visiting Tauranga during the 2014/2015 season.

The Bay's biggest cruise ship season kicks off this weekend when the Sea Princess sails into Tauranga on Saturday and the whole community is being urged to put out the welcome mat.

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said it was vital the estimated 168,000 cruise passengers and 30,000-odd crew visiting during the 2014-2015 season were made to feel welcome.

New figures showed about 40 per cent of cruise ship passengers would return to a place they liked while on the cruise, creating huge opportunities for the area, he said.

"Even if each of our cruise ship visitors spent an average of $300 a day in cash or added value, it's hell of lot of money and extra wealth coming into the local community."

It is estimated more than $45 million will be injected into the Western Bay economy over the 2014/2015 season.

Three of the 84 cruise ships visiting Tauranga this season will be making their maiden voyages to the Bay for the first time - The MV Deutshland, MS Albatros and L'Austral.

Mr Melgren said Mainstreet ambassadors, retailers, tour operators and Tourism Bay of Plenty were all gearing up the start of the season.

It was vital the rest of the community also played their part in helping to make this summer's cruise ship a bumper success, he said.

"These people land on our doorstep, a place they love to come and it's important we show them the welcoming mat. We are all ambassadors and we all need to promote this place."

Downtown Tauranga is also preparing to welcome cruise ship passengers and they will be invited to hop on board the City Centre Express shuttle.

Tauranga Cruiseabout manager Nicola Edgecombe said this year would definitely the biggest cruise ship season on record, with a huge increase in the number of ships that had Sydney and Brisbane as their home ports.

The Sea Princess will berth in Tauranga at 4.45am on Saturday and sail for Napier at 4.30pm the same day.

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