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New Zealand’s upcoming 2024/25 cruise season is forecasted to experience a 20% drop in port calls, with just 898 bookings from 46 vessels—a notable decrease from the previous season. Higher operating costs, including increased port fees, government levies, regulatory risks, and fuel expenses, have been cited as key factors, alongside geopolitical concerns like the closure of Red Sea routes.
Cruise Association chief executive Jacquie Lloyd expressed concern about the outlook and says “New Zealand is one of the most expensive regions to visit, and with the additional government increases announced for IVL and border levies, we expect a similar decline for 25/26.”
While the season will still see visits to 21 ports across the country and welcome new vessels like the Scenic Eclipse II, the cruise industry remains alarmed by rising costs, which are affecting future deployments.
