There were 90 cruise ships berthed in Akaroa the summer before the pandemic. Tourism operators are holding out hope for the return of cruise ships after more than a year without the reliable dose of tourist dollars. Cruise ships have been banned from entering New Zealand's waters since March last year. READ MORE:* Picton cruise ship market cancelled for 'the foreseeable future'* With cruise ships gone, the quiet turns to disquiet as Picton plans its future* Cruise industry says it's time to allow ships to sail againRNZ A tourism expert says if the government wants to "reset" the kind of visitors that come to New Zealand, the incoming minister should be banning cruise ships not backpackers. The cruise ships, I know a lot of people say 'cruise ship business is the cherry on top'.

Source: Stuff July 01, 2021 18:56 UTC