Record influx of cruise ships expected

By SIMON HENDERY

Despite fears that the US terror attacks could sink New Zealand's booming cruise ship industry, Auckland will host a record 38 calls by 16 ships this summer, compared with 36 calls by 22 vessels last season.

A Commonwealth Bank of Australia survey of New Zealand tourism industry managers says that while the predicted national number of cruise ship port visits dropped from 385 to 338 after the September 11 attacks, that was still 40 per cent up on last year's total of 240.

Cruise New Zealand chairman Craig Harris said only one ship call to Auckland had been cancelled.

The city's cruise season begins on December 13 when the Regal Princess will become the first liner to use the new overseas passenger terminal at the Hilton Hotel on Princes Wharf.

Ports of Auckland has spent more than $300,000 on a passenger airbridge for the terminal.

The season will peak on February 6 and 7 when three cruise liners the Pacific Sky, the QE2 and Regal Princess are scheduled to dock in Auckland.

The CBA survey says that while people are cancelling trips on United States and British cruises scheduled to visit New Zealand, their places are likely to be taken by passengers from other markets.

An August report commissioned by Cruise NZ that predicted ship visits will pump $60 million into the Auckland economy this summer is still valid, the industry believes.

The McDermott Fairgray report says ship operators, crew and their 48,000 passengers are expected to spend $171 million in New Zealand this year.

That spending will generate $613 million in economic activity, adding $108 million to the country's gross domestic product and supporting the equivalent of 3000 fulltime jobs.