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Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston says New Zealand’s cruise industry is set for another significant boost, with Carnival announcing a return to homeporting in Auckland for the 2027 winter season.
“I’m thrilled to hear that Carnival Adventure will drop anchor in Auckland for its 2027 winter season — the first ship to homeport in Auckland since 2023,” Upston says.
A homeport is where a cruise ship begins and ends its voyages, making Auckland a base for passenger boarding, provisioning, and crew operations.
“Having a ship homeported here over winter is a real vote of confidence in New Zealand’s tourism sector,” Upston says. “This decision by Carnival means more visitors, more jobs, and more opportunities for local businesses. That’s great news for Auckland’s hospitality, retail, and accommodation sectors.
“It also offers New Zealanders the chance to cruise from their home city on short break holidays.”
Carnival Adventure will be homeported in Auckland from Sunday, May 25, to Tuesday, July 29, 2027.
The announcement comes as New Zealand prepares to welcome an estimated 177,000 cruise visitors across nearly 40 ships during the 2025–2026 season.
Upston says the Government recognises the growing contribution of cruise tourism, which injected $1.37 billion into the New Zealand economy last financial year.
“Cruise is now extremely significant to tourism, which is why I led a meeting with cruise and port sector representatives in July to discuss how we could make the most of opportunities and remove barriers,” she says.
“We’ve worked hard to provide clarity on regulatory costs and support new ways to manage biofouling. Our Government has also established a Fast-Track Approvals process for key infrastructure, such as Port of Auckland’s new wharf and cruise terminal development.
“We’ve also confirmed ongoing cruise access to Milford Sound. Today’s news reinforces the significance of those decisions and reaffirms that New Zealand is open for business and committed to supporting the cruise sector’s growth.”
