Napier Port is the gateway to a one-of-a-kind tourist experience. Hawke’s Bay is a popular destination for both local and international cruises and our twin cities, Napier and Hastings, are known for sunny climes, fresh food, sprawling vineyards, and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Rebuilt in the Art Deco style after a devastating earthquake in 1931, Napier is one of the best-preserved examples of Art Deco architecture in the world today.
From October to April every year, Napier Port welcomes cruise ships from around the world. Passengers arriving at Napier Port are greeted in typical Hawke’s Bay style – by friendly locals, dressed with a touch of our Art Deco heritage.
It’s just one of the special touches that make Napier such a memorable port of call.
Cruise tourism brought an estimated $28 million into the Hawke’s Bay’s economy in the 2018-2019 season.
Our cruise business has been growing over the last few years, and we’re taking an increasing number of cruise ship bookings for the coming seasons. With the growing cruise business comes demand for larger cruise ships, and our proposed wharf development is designed to prepare Napier Port for the next generation of cruise ships, which will be 360 metres in length. You can learn more about our plans here.
In the 2018-2019 cruise season, we saw…
70 cruise ship
calls
Over 115,000
passengers
Approximately $243
daily spend per passenger
Source: Statistics New Zealand
Napier Port works closely with cruise ship agents, hospitality and tourism organisations, and the New Zealand Customs Service to ensure a smooth experience for all cruise passengers visiting our region.
Our team works with ship’s agents to provide berthage, pilotage, towing and mooring services for each cruise ship. Our coordinated approach allows us to welcome up to three cruise ships to Napier Port at any one time.
The largest cruise ship to berth at Napier Port is the Ovation of the Seas, which arrived at Napier Port for the first time on 5 January 2017.
At 348 metres long, it carries more than 4000 passengers and 1300 crew, and is the biggest ship to ever enter a New Zealand port. The visit went off without a hitch, with the ship’s arrival watched by hundreds of local spectators. Napier is now becoming a popular port of call for the Ovation, with six visits last season and more booked for the 2019-2020 season.