Ovation of the Seas cruise ship visit to Hawke's Bay a success

Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to ever dock at Napier port did so successfully yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Hawke's Bay was abuzz yesterday, when one of the largest cruise ships in the world docked at Napier Port.

The Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas made its only visit to Napier this season, its final inaugural port of call on its New Zealand tour.

Hundreds of onlookers flocked to the hills above Napier in the morning to see the fourth-largest cruise ship in the world glide through choppy seas into port.

Berthing the 18-storey, 168,666-tonne ship had not been easy, Ovation of the Seas captain Henrik Loy said, with Napier the smallest port they had visited on the tour.

But "being dealt a good hand" with the weather, and hours of training, meant they could berth alongside the port "without a bump".

While many of the ship's 5000 passengers were land-bound yesterday, the mayors of Hastings and Napier boarded the vessel for the traditional plaque ceremony, conducted at every maiden port of call.

In a speech, Napier Mayor Bill Dalton stated while Napier was where the port was, the city was "simply part of Hawke's Bay, and Hawke's Bay is what it's all about".

The crew was thanked by Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule, who said while the cruise industry was "hardly known" in the region 10 years ago, it had become a "fundamental part of our economy and way of life".

They were given a tour of the massive vessel, and an insight into what those passengers paying up to $4000 a night get to enjoy.

Passengers who remained on board yesterday could be spotted lounging on recliners by one of the ship's many pools, playing basketball at the SeaPlex, or enjoying a meal at one of the 18 diverse restaurants.

The ship's size means it is able to offer an "unprecedented variety" of activities for its passengers - from a surfing simulator and IFly skydiving experience at its stern, to the spa-like solarium offering panoramic views at its bow.

In between lie 2090 staterooms, theatres, designer stores, and attractions unique to the Ovation - including the North star - a capsule 90m above sea level offering 360-degree views, and Bionic Bar - a bar served by two robotic bartenders.

The ship's bulk, however, had meant a year's worth of planning and preparation was needed to ensure the ship could berth in Napier.

To host the largest cruise ship to sail Australasian waters - and other vessels of its size - about $400,000 had been invested in upgrading and strengthening the primary cruise berth.

As well improving infrastructure, Napier port chairman Alasdair MacLeod said the pilots and tugboat crews undertook simulation training specifically for yesterday's arrival -travelling to Auckland and Brisbane so they could guide the massive vessel into the port.

Although there had been "some genuine concern we had bitten off more than we could chew", Mr MacLeod said the immense planning, and preparation from those involved meant the Napier port was able to accommodate the ship - a feat Auckland port had been unable to achieve.

Locals took to Bluff Hill again yesterday evening to watch the ship's departure. Plans for its return to Napier are already under way.