A luxury expedition cruise ship "hovering" outside New Zealand waters has been held at the border because most of the crew were refused visas. Le Lapérouse is a 264 passenger ship operated by cruise company Ponant. Owners French cruise company Ponant, said they had been granted the excemption last year to operate local expeditions with a maximum of 100 New Zealand guests at a time. Le Lapérouse is a 264 passenger ship operated by cruise company Ponant. If the ship does dock here, the 61 crew members would be sent home at their own expense.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 29, 2021 00:45 UTC