Napier Port will be host to a real slice of shipping diversity over the next fortnight with a sailing ship, a Navy ship and a cruise liner set to tie up amid the more traditional cargo traffic.
On Thursday the three-masted Spirit of New Zealand will arrive in port about 4pm to prepare for a 16-day voyage to and around the Chatham Islands before returning to Auckland.
The sailing ship, built in 1986 and which has made several calls to the Bay, is operated by the Spirit of Adventure Trust and was last here two years ago.
It will depart for the voyage on Saturday.
Four days later, on November 1, the giant Australian Royal Navy logistics and support ship HMAS Choules will stop by for another two-day goodwill visit.