Cruise ship overnighter to get magic Mount welcome

Celebrity Solstice is here overnight and is getting a magic Mount welcome. Photo/Andrew Warner

Cruise ship passengers are set to get a magical Mount Maunganui welcome for their overnight visit tonight.

The Celebrity Solstice would cruise into port today at 10am bringing 4350 passengers and crew into the Bay for the second ever overnight visit.

To celebrate and ensure passengers have a memorable time here, Mount Mainstreet has planned something special for both visitors and residents.

Tonight restaurants would offer al fresco dining and retailers would be open until 7pm.

There would be buskers on the street, a free photo booth, fire dancing at dusk and games and lollies for the kids.

"Restaurants and retailers have been very supportive, there's been a big uptake for businesses to stay open. It's a big deal because usually retailers close around 3pm on Saturdays," Mount Mainstreet manager Ingrid Fleming said.

She hoped the street would have a great atmosphere for both visitors and residents.

It was an opportunity for some late night Christmas shopping before or after dining outside, she said.

The first overnight visit in November fell on a Monday and Ms Fleming said nothing super special was done, though the Little Big Markets were held and turned out to be popular.

But as this was a Saturday night Mount Mainstreet had upped their game - "we'll see how we go tonight, it's the first time we've ever done something like this.

"We're giving it our best shot," Ms Fleming said.

Magic on Mainstreet
- From 5pm on Maunganui Rd
- Stores open until 7pm and street entertainment until 9pm
- Celebrity Solstice will be lit up like a Christmas tree