Port News: Cruising into Lyttelton

 

Cruise is back and better than ever in Lyttelton, with vessels finally arriving at our new, purpose built cruise berth.

The first vessel, Celebrity Eclipse, brought more than 2,400 passengers to Lyttelton’s shores marking the return of cruise vessels to the town for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also the first time that large vessels have berthed in Lyttelton since the Canterbury earthquakes, following damage to the Port’s Cashin Quay berths.

LPC’s Chief Executive, Kirstie Gardener, says the return of cruise is a great milestone for the Port’s development and Canterbury’s growth.

“We’re really excited that cruise has returned to Lyttelton and LPC is ready to welcome passengers from all around the world,” says Kirstie.

“We’ve invested significantly to futureproof the Port and make this all possible. Our new $67 million cruise berth is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and we’re really proud to welcome guests from around the world onto our shores.”

LPC’s 148-metre-long, 10-metre-wide cruise berth can host vessels carrying up to 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew, and is built to withstand significant seismic events and ensure that vessels and passengers are safe.

“LPC’s dedicated team of contractors, project managers and engineers worked tirelessly for two years to build this cruise berth, using innovative techniques and ensuring as little impact as possible on the marine environment and community in Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour,” says LPC’s Chair, Margaret Devlin.

“The cruise berth will not only accommodate some of the largest vessels visiting New Zealand now, but some of the largest that will come in the future.”

This season the Port will welcome 85 calls from 26 different vessels from October to April 2023 – bringing around 170,000 tourists and 35,000 staff to Christchurch.

ChristchurchNZ General Manager for Destination and Attraction, Tracey Wilson, says cruise visitors will bring more than a $260 million boost to the local economy.

“We’re working hard with our city partners to help ensure a positive visitor and resident experience,” says Tracey. “I want to give a big thanks to the locals who have volunteered to be City Champions and help give a warm Canterbury welcome to our international visitors.

“We’ve got so much to be proud of as a city, much of which is brand new, so it’s vitally important we tell that story to our guests.”

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