A world beauty bound for Timaru
A report in The Timaru Herald says that the Regent Seven Seas Voyager described as one of the world’s most luxurious cruise liners, is scheduled to call in to the Port of Timaru on Waitangi Day next year.
It is the second year in a row Timaru has played host to a liner, but none have been this luxurious, Pacific Journeys’ owner and director Julian Barton said yesterday.
The ship will dock at about 8.30 am and leaving about 2.30 pm.
In a twist of fate, Dunedin’s port is booked with two cruise ships on February 6, meaning a third vessel would make things crowded, Mr Barton said — hence the decision for the Voyager to dock in Timaru.
“It would have swamped Dunedin with three ships in one day.”
He said docking the ship in Timaru means it has exclusive use of the port.
Timaru will be the second-to-last New Zealand port the ship calls at on its world wide tour, before it moves on to Australia. It is also the first time the vessel has come to the country.
Mr Barton said the ship will be carrying about 650 tourists, mainly Americans and a number of singles.
About half of them will board buses in Timaru and be taken on a tour of the district, including Pleasant Point and Geraldine.
He said there is plenty to do in the district and hopes the future brings more cruise ships to Timaru.
“I would like to see (more cruises) come to Timaru in the future. It has a lot to offer, certainly for smaller ships it works well.
“(Passengers) like places that do not have a lot of ship visits,” though Mr Barton said he still hopes to see more voyages in the future.
His sentiments are echoed by Central South Island Tourism general manager James Smith.
Mr Smith said the liner will bring with it a number of benefits for the region.
“From a tourism prospect, to have any cruise ship in particular coming in to the Port of Timaru is fantastic, for the whole region.
“It also takes with it a broad tourism focus.” “It puts us on the radar as far as cruise ships are concerned.”
A Report by The Moel from the Timaru Herald
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