Two people are dead following two separate crashes involving passengers from the Celebrity Solstice.

The cruise ship came into port on Monday and was the first ship to stay overnight in Tauranga this season.

Around lunchtime yesterday, a 71-year-old American woman was killed while on a Freewheeling Tours' cycling tour in Tauranga.

She was involved in a crash with a truck on the Te Awanui Drive on-ramp at Dive Crescent.

Police say the woman died at the scene.

Freewheeling Tours director Susanna Shelton says the team are very shocked by yesterday's events.

'On behalf of the team of Freewheeling Tours, we wish to express our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. We are incredibly saddened to have something like this occur on one of our tours.

'We are working closely with the police to assist their investigation in any way we can, as well as offering support to all those involved.

'The safety of our visitors and guides is our number-one priority, and we are committed to providing a safe, professional service at all times.”

Freewheeling Tours will cease to operate its cycling tours while investigations are underway.

Tourism Bay of Plenty CEO Kristin Dunne was at the scene and is working with her team to ensure all those people involved are supported.

'Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences go to the deceased and her family at this time. Our focus is on doing everything we can to help the police with their investigations.”

In a second incident around 11.30am, a bus carrying cruise ship passengers back to Tauranga from an excursion was involved in a crash with a car on State Highway 29, east of Te Poi.

No cruise ship passengers were injured in the incident, but tragically a person in the car involved died.

The cruise ship passengers on the bus were transferred back to the ship by another bus and are currently being supported by the ship's victim support.

A second and separate police investigation is underway.

'The safety and wellbeing of tourists in our region is of the utmost importance,” says Kristin.

'Now, our concern is with the victims and supporting the investigations that are underway.”

Tourism Bay of Plenty is continuing to work with all stakeholders in relation to both incidents.