The tourism, travel and aviation industries are disappointed the Government is pushing ahead with a travel tax on Kiwis and international visitors.

New Zealand will welcome a record number of cruise ships this summer, including an unprecedented six vessels making their inaugural visits to the country.

Stephanie Maskery boards a clipper to cruise the Amalfi Coast.

A cruise line boss says his company has been caught in the middle of the highly charged debate about the expansion of Auckland's port.

Royal Caribbean brings in some of the biggest ships in the world to New Zealand ports.

Ports of Auckland's inability to expand could push up the price of cars and freight, while cruise ships could bypass Auckland.

A cruise industry leader says the falling Kiwi dollar against the United States currency could be an impediment to growth in cruising by New Zealanders.

Tropical beaches, fine dining, cooking and dance lessons – Lynley Bilby finds her every whim is catered for on a Pacific island cruise.

New Zealanders will be able to travel to South America by cruise ship for the first time following the news that Princess Cruises will offer a circumnavigation of the region from Downunder in early 2017.

Kiwi David Reihana has carved out a career as a top chef with a major cruise line, writes Winston Aldworth.

A team is in New Zealand scouting shore experiences for the latest boutique cruise ship operator to arrive in this region.

The giant cruise liner Queen Elizabeth has docked at Auckland’s Queens Wharf this morning.

Queen Elizabeth proves that size does count. With its 12 decks housing more than 3000 guests and crew, multiple restaurants, bars and pools, it's no wonder cruising is so popular.

On the ship Orion, Jane Archer heads to Australia's Kimberley region to scale waterfalls, sample helicopter tours and spot man-eating beasts (from the safety of a rubber dinghy).

Auckland councillors will make a huge call behind closed doors on Thursday on whether to stand firm against further reclamation of the Waitemata Harbour for port use.

The ferry from Half Moon Bay is a kaleidoscope of Auckland on the water.

About 200 cruise ship passengers have been confined to their cabins after the norovirus bug struck the Dawn Princess while on a trip around New Zealand.

The Sun Princess arrived in Sydney this morning after returning to sea in an attempt to find a man lost overboard.

It was supposed to be an escape to the Caribbean sunshine for a week of parties, relaxation and sipping champagne. Instead Ebola crashed the party.

The cruise ship season started yesterday with the Radiance of the Seas arriving in Wellington.

Take a look at the German launch of a megaship so big that Auckland will expand its wharf for its visit

Queens and Captain Cook wharves may have to be extended at a cost of tens of millions of dollars to accommodate the new generation of cruise ships.

Building of Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas cruise ships at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Royal Caribbean boss Richard Fain is blunt about cruise ship economics - the vessels cost too much and the fares are too low.

Grant Bradley travelled to Papenburg courtesy of Royal Caribbean to tour Quantum of the Seas, the cruise company's newest ship nearing completion at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

New Zealand needs to be competitive to continue attracting cruise ship seasons worth more than $365 million, according to the national voice in the sector.

Passengers aboard the biggest ship based in this region will be able to go surfing onboard.

Auckland can expect a boost of millions to the economy with a record number of cruise ships hitting our shores.

Bus operator InterCity Group is launching overnight and day cruises from Auckland aboard a 44m vessel from September.

New Zealanders are taking cruise holidays in record numbers with the rate of increase higher than any of the main passengers markets around the world.