Princess Cruises to double New Zealand port calls in 2028/29
The expansion is expected to contribute more than NZ$100 million to the country’s economy as Auckland prepares major cruise infrastructure upgrades.
Princess Cruises has confirmed plans to double its New Zealand port calls during the 2028/29 season. The additional visits are expected to generate more than NZ$100 million for the local economy.
The announcement followed the New Zealand Cruise Association’s August conference, where senior representatives from Ponant, Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean discussed future ship deployment. The association is seeking to shape deployment decisions for 2028/29 and later seasons while pursuing long-term biosecurity certainty, greater cost competitiveness and regulatory predictability, and improvements to the industry’s reputation.
In Auckland, the NZ$200 million Te Waharoa terminal is scheduled to open in 2027, with capacity to process up to 1,500 passengers an hour. Bledisloe Wharf is also being expanded to accommodate ships measuring as much as 350 metres. Together, the port projects are expected to attract an additional 100,000 passengers annually.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited has also presented a 10-year plan for the city’s cruise sector. Proposed measures include simpler transfers between Auckland Airport and the port, along with more Māori-led shore experiences for passengers beginning or ending cruises in the city.
