Tauranga’s cruise ship industry missed a much anticipated economic opportunity today due to an Australian cruise ship failing to meet NZ’s strict biosecurity requirements.

Thousands of passengers and crew on board the Pacific Adventure have been turned away from New Zealand shores, heading back to Australia instead of spending the day enjoying Tauranga.

P&O Cruises Australia runs a 13-day "Kiwi Adventure" voyage, taking passengers from Sydney, sailing around New Zealand and stopping at different cities.

In a statement to SunLive, the company says Pacific Adventure’s itinerary has changed and “unfortunately guests on this current voyage will no longer be visiting New Zealand”.

“Guests were notified before embarking on their 13-day Kiwi Adventure voyage that there could be significant changes to the itinerary, due to New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements,” says a P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson.

“The ship left Sydney on Monday for hull cleaning off the Bay of Plenty, however the weather didn’t allow this to happen, so we apologise that the itinerary has had to be amended.

“A change in the forecast conditions made it too dangerous for divers, and therefore we are unable to gain clearance to enter New Zealand.”

Unlike ships visiting our region from other parts of the world, Pacific Adventure only sails in Australia, NZ and the Pacific. 

Underwater cleaning opportunities in this region are extremely limited and can only be done offshore. 

“Unfortunately, Pacific Adventure has been unable to clean to meet the strict NZ standards on this occasion.”

Local Bay of Plenty tourism operators have been affected by the cancelled visit to Tauranga with tours to Rotorua, Hobbiton and Western Bay of Plenty cancelled.

The iconic Mount Maunganui Pepi Toot train which is looking forward to a summer showcasing Mount Maunganui to cruise ship passengers following the challenging Covid years is still out today, offering rides to locals.

Pepi Toot train leaves from its station at Salisbury Ave, Mount Maunganui, to take passengers on rides around Mount Maunganui. Photo: SunLive.

Passengers on board the cruise ship are unhappy with the change, posting their annoyance and frustration to social media.

"Get me off this boat and give me a full refund," says one passenger.

"This is just a turd covered in gold glitter. My husband has requested ET bring him home," says another in a post.

Most posts came thick and fast.

"We paid international fares and now end up for a domestic trip."

"Inexcusable. They have been caught out before. Not. Good. Enough."

"I honestly just want to go back home. Take me to Sydney," writes another passenger.

A local Tauranga person says her friend was on board.

"She had to cancel her wedding."

She says her friend was due to get married at Sulphur Point, Tauranga at 10.30am on Saturday.

P&O says in lieu of sailing around New Zealand, Pacific Adventure is now on its way to Tasmania instead.

“We hope guests will enjoy their time in Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden.

The almost 2800 guests have been offered additional compensation in light of this change to their itinerary.