All cruise ship arrivals into New Zealand temporarily banned.
New Zealand PM Jacinta Ardern has today announced that all cruise ships will be temporarily banned from entering New Zealand waters.
The ban is effective immediately and will be in place until 30 June 2019, with the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA) estimating a total of 141 ship visits and 45 voyages will be cancelled.
“This will have a significant effect on the New Zealand tourist economy and impact severely on NZCA members,” said New Zealand Cruise Association CEO, Kevin O’Sullivan.
He said following the shock announcement NZCA would be meeting with the government to ask that the ban be lifted earlier.
“We are deeply saddened for our cruise industry and we are thinking of every single one of our members, and of course all New Zealanders,” he said.
More details in Monday’s issue of Cruise Weekly.