Cruise ships have been piling into Tauranga harbour with passengers flooding Mount Maunganui streets bringing an abundance of business to the local shops.

Port of Tauranga is consistently voted by passengers as one of the best cruise ship destinations in New Zealand.

“We’re one of the few ports in the Southern Hemisphere where passengers can walk straight off their ship and into one of New Zealand’s top holiday spots within a matter of minutes,” says Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan.

“Tourism Bay of Plenty markets a wide range of scenic, cultural, and gastronomical tours to all parts of the coastal Bay of Plenty which passengers can start when they disembark from their ship.

“Tauranga is also the gateway to other popular day trip options, such as Rotorua.”

However, with weather like this, many passengers are deciding to stay, instead of jumping on bus tours.

Cruise ship passengers David and Loraine Wheatley. Photo: SunLive/ John Borren.

Cruise ship passengers David and Loraine Wheatley say the weather’s too good for a long tour.

“We’re not going to sit on a bus for two hours.”

They have booked a boat for a private tour to view the local scenery.

“We booked a trip round the bay on a boat, then we’re going to walk around the mountain and then we’re going to make our way to the main beach for a few hours.”

It’s the couple’s first time in New Zealand and they are very pleased to be out of the “wet, cold, below freezing, blowing a gale”, London weather where it was minus eight degrees when they left.

“It hasn’t stopped raining, everywhere is flooded. We picked the right time to be away.”

The pair were excited to get out and about especially since their Christmas break had them stuck in a bedroom with Covid.

“We just sat in a room on our own for Christmas.”

Cruise ship passengers Lynne and Philipp Krcutzer. Photo: SunLive/ John Borren.

Cruise ship passengers Lynne and Philipp Krcutzer from New South Wales say the views are fantastic and plan to climb to the top of Mauao.

“We need the exercise or else we would just eat,” jokes Lynne.

They were wondering where to get good coffee in Mount Maunganui.

“The coffee on the ship is disgusting,” says Lynne.

Cruise ship passengers Steven and Marianne Freney off on a V8 Trike Tour to see the sites. SunLive/ John Borren.

Wednesday's Majestic Princess passengers Steven and Marianne Freney were off on a V8 Trike Tour to see the sights.

“It’s a beautiful day, let’s go see it on a trike.”

It is the couple’s first time in Tauranga and they decided to stay local.

“We thought let’s explore the local area and support the local industry,” says Marianne.

Steven says they are getting into the local experience and immersing themselves in the culture and the local life.

“The weather is cracking, it’s nice and green and the scenery is pretty cool,” says Steven.

“It feels really calm and peaceful,” says Marianne

“There are 113 cruise ships booked to dock at the Port of Tauranga this season, between mid-October and mid-April,” says Oscar.

“We’re about one-third of the way through those bookings now, with 75 cruise ship arrivals to go.”

Oscar says these ships are expected to bring more than 290,000 cruise ship passengers and crew during the six-month season.

The influx of tourists is allowing local businesses to thrive.

“There’ll be a minimum of four cruise ships a week, of varying sizes, up until late March,” says Oscar.

“The final cruise ship of the season is scheduled to depart on April 17.”

These voyages originate from all over the world which means the world is getting a look at our beautiful coastal city.

“Tauranga has always been a popular stop on Pacific voyage itineraries," says Oscar.

Cruise ships have traditionally been a vital component of the summer vibe around the coastal Bay of Plenty.

“The return of cruise in 2022, after the Covid border closures, has been a real invigorator for our region.”

As a popular tourism destination, Tauranga has endured a lot since the beginning of Covid.

"It’s nice to see that tourism is starting to pick up from where we left off and businesses are starting to feel the thrill of visitor spending," says Oscar.

“The way that these passengers and crew explore while they’re onshore, even though it’s just for a short time, generates essential revenue for a whole range of interconnected visitor sector businesses.”

Oscar says the most recent national data shows that retailers reap the biggest benefit from onshore cruise visitor spending, followed by food and beverage providers, arts and recreation operators, and travel and tour services.

“Cruise generated more than $90 million in spending in our region during the pre-Covid 2018/19 season.”

It’s important to note that this data does not include the tour bookings that passengers organize before they arrive, so the actual amount spent on tourism activities in the region is far more, says Oscar.

“Anyone who can’t get on board to experience one of these magnificent vessels can still be part of the adventure by heading to Pilot Bay, Waikorire to farewell the ships as they depart.

“I’d invite people to check the cruise schedule on our website and plan accordingly.

“These farewells are a local tradition and they’re a big hit with the departing cruise ship passengers too.”

The large ships provide an incredible sight as they depart or enter the harbour.

“We’re blessed with a beautiful coastal and harbour entrance, dominated by the iconic Mauao, which provides a stunning vista for cruise passengers as they start or end their short visit to our region.”