11,000 Princess tourists descend on Auckland as ship meeting marks NZ cruise recovery

• Discovery Princess and Crown Princess docked together in Auckland, for a historic meeting of the two ships.
• Adding more port visits the next day, including a visit from Coral Princess, more than 11,000 Princess guests visited Auckland in just two days.
• “A day like this showcases the incredible value cruising brings to New Zealand” said Jacqui Lloyd, chief executive of the New Zealand cruise association.

A Princess spectacular has been had in Auckland as Discovery Princess and Crown Princess came face-to-face. With more than 9000 guests and crew onboard across the two ships, Princess descended on the city of Auckland on February 20, binging about $1.5 million in tourism spending with it.

Auckland was even greeted by another 5000 guests the following day, including a visit from a third ship, Coral Princess.

For a country that was recently struggling to attract cruise ships to its shores, the arrival 11,000 Princess guests in only two days is no mean for New Zealand and is a strong reflection of its cruise industry’s recovery.

The New Zealand government has been working closely with the cruise industry to make cruising in New Zealand a more attractive prospect for cruise lines and passengers alike. This strategy has already produced instant results, particularly amongst the Carnival brands, like Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

The visit of Discovery Princess has been exciting for Aussies and New Zealanders alike, with the shiny new ship only having entered service in 2022, being a much younger ship than what you’d generally see on Aussie shores.

Jacqui Lloyd, chief executive of the New Zealand Cruise Association, who has been at the forefront of New Zealand’s cruise recovery, pointed to the significance of these ship visits.

“A day like this showcases the incredible value cruising brings to New Zealand. Princess Cruises is a highly recognised brand in New Zealand waters, and we love welcoming its ships and guests back each season. The economic contribution goes well beyond the Auckland waterfront, with visitors supporting local tourism operators, hospitality businesses and communities in ports right around the country.

“What makes Princess particularly special is that its connection to New Zealand runs deeper than visitation alone. Through its Princess Local Partnerships programme, they are helping support grassroots conservation and cultural projects, creating a positive legacy that extends well beyond a single port call.” 

Matthew Rutherford, Vice President Princess Cruises Asia Pacific said: ““Bringing two of our remarkable ships to Auckland on the same day, with a third arriving the following day, underscores Princess Cruises’ strong commitment to New Zealand.

“It also marked the first time Discovery Princess and Crown Princess have shared a New Zealand port.”

“Our international guests were excited to explore everything the city has to offer, from its world-class waterfront to local attractions, and we’re proud to support the New Zealand economy in the process.”