New Zealand's cruise industry is experiencing a strong revival, as passenger numbers in 2023 soared to 80% of pre-pandemic levels. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that approximately 86,300 New Zealanders embarked on ocean cruises this year, marking a substantial comeback after years of disruption.
Although these figures fall short of the 106,300 passengers recorded in 2019, they reflect global trends of recovery. CLIA Australasia's managing director, Joel Katz, expressed optimism, stating, “New Zealand was among the last countries to reopen to cruising, but New Zealanders began heading back to sea in significant numbers once ships returned. By the final quarter of 2023, the number of New Zealanders cruising had pushed ahead of the same quarter of 2019, suggesting demand is on track for recovery.”
The positive trend is evident in travelers’ preferences, with 77% of Kiwis opting for itineraries close to home, including routes in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
Wellington, New Zealand's busiest passenger port, welcomed around 200,000 passengers from more than 100 ships during the summer season between October and April. Other ports, including Lyttleton, Napier, and Auckland, also saw record-breaking seasons, with Lyttleton hitting a new high of over 1,000 port visits, Napier receiving 138,000 passengers, and Auckland seeing a 50% increase in cruise visits, bringing in 250,000 passengers.
Smaller destinations like Stewart Island/Rakiura and Bluff also experienced growth, receiving 7,500 and 6,000 passengers, respectively.
CLIA's 2023 Source Market Report highlights other emerging trends, including a decrease in the average age of cruise passengers to 49.3 years in 2023, down from 52.4 years in 2019. This shift signals a growing interest among younger demographics, with 30% of cruisers now under the age of 40. The average cruise duration has also slightly decreased to 9.2 days, potentially due to the busy lifestyles of younger travelers.
Globally, the cruise industry reached a new peak in 2023, with 31.7 million passengers, surpassing the previous record of 29.7 million in 2019. Despite this success, Katz emphasized the need for continued collaboration between governments, ports, and destinations to sustain New Zealand’s cruise market and ensure its international competitiveness.
As the summer season winds down, New Zealand will see a limited number of voyages during the coming months, with P&O Cruises' Pacific Explorer set to sail. The cruise season is expected to resume fully in October with the arrival of Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess in Auckland.
