It’s great news that cruise ships have returned to the region after a two-year hiatus.

Over the course of the season, which ran from November 2022 to March 2023, Port Nelson welcomed a total of 7 cruise ships. The first ship to enter the port was the Seabourne Odyssey, which arrived on 23 November and welcomed 222 passengers to Nelson.

Hon. Dr Nick Smith, Nelson’s Mayor, greeted the vessels captain, welcoming the cruise ship to the city. The final vessel to dock at Port Nelson was the Europa, which arrived on 4 March after dropping off passengers in Kaiteriteri. The Europa brought a total of 296 passengers to the region, and over the course of the season, over 2500 passengers visited our smart little city.

During their stay, some passengers decided to explore the region on their own, while others took advantage of the many tours available. Tour options included visits to the Abel Tasman National Park, Wine Arts and Wilderness, Cable Bay Adventure Park, and a Nelson highlights walking tour, among others. Collaborating to organise the cruise ship season were Port Nelson, Nelson Regional Development Agency, and local tour operators.