"It's a very appealing town," he said. "This is a nice way to end the year - on a high note."
His mate Craig Stephenson, a 68-year-old Melbourne train driver, said he visited Tauranga every two years.
"I could live here," he said, when asked what he thought of the place.
"I won't do the walk because of my ankle," he said. "But there's a pub around the corner here, from memory."
The positive sentiments were echoed by a 25-year-old Portuguese crew member from the Crystal Symphony, who said the Mount was "beautiful", and she wanted to move there.
The next big day in the cruise season will occur on Boxing Day, when one of the world's largest cruise ships will visit. The 168,000 tonne Ovation of the Seas will arrive at 6.15am and leave at 6pm.
Today's Cruise Ships
Golden Princess, 108,000 tonnes, 8.15am-8.30pm
Crystal Symphony, 51,000 tonnes, 8.45am-10pm
Caledonian Sky, 4200 tonnes, 10.30am-11.15pm