Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits: Napier Port in New Zealand thrilled to greet the Silver Muse, marking a significant milestone as it welcomed the 1,000th cruise ship to visit. This event comes during the port’s busiest cruise season ever.
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
That’s quite an accomplishment! Celebrating the 1000th cruise ship visit is a significant milestone for any port. It signifies not only popularity of port as a destination but also the economic impact it has on local community. However, Such celebrations often involve special events, ceremonies. And sometimes even awards or recognition for the cruise line and passengers aboard the 1000th ship. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making the port a successful hub for cruise travel.
Additionally, Napier Port, located in the scenic Hawke’s Bay of New Zealand, celebrated the arrival of the Silver Muse, commemorating the 1000th cruise ship to dock at the port over its 30-year history.
Napier Port Celebrates Record-breaking Milestone:
On February 26, 2024, Napier Port celebrated the docking of Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse at 2 Wharf. Marking the port’s 1,000th cruise ship to visit the picturesque coastal city on New Zealand’s North Island.
Silver Muse, on a 32-night journey from Melbourne. Australia, to Benoa, Bali, made a stopover in Napier for an extended visit. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., enabling a complete celebration of this maritime milestone.
Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson emphasized the importance of the occasion, stating, “This cruise season is poised to be the port’s most bustling yet, with 72 cruise calls already scheduled and an additional 17 bookings confirmed through early April.”
“We’ve experienced an unprecedented number of double and triple ship stays, as well as welcomed numerous maiden calls from cruise lines,” he continued.
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
Moreover, The current season at Napier Port, remarkable in its scale, has brought over 130,000 cruise tourists to Hawke’s Bay. Additionally, This surge in cruise visits is directly attributable to the completion of Te Whiti (6 Wharf) in late 2022. This expansion enables Napier Port to host some of the largest cruise ships globally, including the Oasis-class liners, resulting in a 94% rise in cruise traffic.
This season, Ovation of the Seas, the largest vessel ever to dock at Napier Port, is scheduled for six visits, with nearly 5,000 passengers expected on each visit.
“The recent inclusion of Te Whiti as a versatile berth has significantly increased the port’s wharf capacity,” stated Dawson, further adding, “We are now well-positioned to accommodate even more cruise ship visits in the upcoming season.”
Cruise all Season Highlights-
In 2024, Napier is hosting some of the globe’s most prominent cruise lines, many of which are incorporating New Zealand into their world cruise itineraries.
Moreover, In February, Viking Ocean introduced Viking Sky to Hawke’s Bay as part of its 137-night. “World Cruise,” while Viking Neptune made a stop during its 120-night “World Journey,” and Viking Orion visited for its 92-night. “Grand Pacific Explorer” itinerary.
In February, Oceania Cruises arrived in Napier with Insignia docking at the port as part of its 196-night world cruise. Named the “Continental Majesty Miami to New York.” Additionally, Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduced Seven Seas Mariner to Napier Port during its 132-night. “Navigate the World” roundtrip cruise from Miami.
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
Napier Port Celebrates 1000th Cruise Ship Visits
Earlier this month, Holland America Line’s Volendam visited Napier as part of its 94-night “Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage.” This itinerary also included stops at Fjordland National Park, Dunedin, Timaru, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, and Bay of Islands in New Zealand.
Additional cruises visiting Napier in March include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Spirit. Viking Voyages’ Resilient Lady, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge, and P&O Cruises’ Pacific Adventure. In the following month, Carnival Cruise Line will join the festivities with the arrival of Carnival Splendor at the beginning of the month.
However, Napier widely renowned for its breathtaking Art Deco architecture. Which is a legacy of the city’s reconstruction in the 1930s after a devastating earthquake. Situated on the Pacific Ocean’s edge, Napier serves as a gateway to the Hawke’s Bay wine region. One of New Zealand’s oldest and most esteemed wine-producing areas.
