Cruise ships returning to Lyttelton Harbour in 2020!

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Cruise ships returning to Lyttelton Harbour in 2020

 

"More than 70 bookings are locked in for Lyttelton Port's new cruise berth, which will be up and running in November 2020. 

The new facility is expected to impact nearby Akaroa, though how far bookings will drop off for the visitor-dependant Canterbury town is still unclear.

When completed, Lyttelton Port Company's (LPC) $56 million cruise berth will allow large cruise ships to dock in Christchurch for the first time since the 2011 earthquakes. 

 

Piling work for the under-construction berth is on schedule for a November 2020 opening date – in time for the 2020-21 cruise season. 

Outgoing LPC chief executive Peter Davie said it would mean a large vessel could moor at the new cruise berth while smaller ships could still use the inner harbour, meaning the port could welcome all cruise ships......  https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/112390656/cruise-ships-returning-to-lyttelton-harbour-in-2020

 

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Good news for Lyttelton and Christchurch but Bad News for Akaroa 😥

[SinbadThePorter]

1 hour ago, Kiwi_cruiser said:

Good news for Lyttelton and Christchurch but Bad News for Akaroa 😥

 

Not everybody in Akaroa will be unhappy.

 

"We're going to have to survive next season with 120 ships. When there's hope that things are going to change, people will find ways of adapting. If we thought there's going to be 10 years like this... I think you'd find a lot of people packing up and moving out."

 

 

[MicCanberra]

Agreed, one place wins, the other loses.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Although I know it is more practical to have the ships docking in Lyttelton I will miss being anchored in Akaroa Harbour. It's so beautiful and peaceful there, and Akaroa is lovely to just wander around. Although Lyttelton Harbour is also lovely, Lyttelton is an industrial port so will be less peaceful.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Yes . Akaroa can return to the peace and serenity its residents sought when they moved there. Top marks to all the locals for stepping up and taking on the responsibility of hosting the ever increasing hordes of cruise ship passengers that descended on their tranquil harbour.

Local Tour operators will still be able to operate , they just have to run a shuttle from Lyttleton to Akaroa , an easy and scenic route.

The new dock at Lyttleton will make a world of difference and I really hope the powers that be have planned it well , so that easy access to the dock can be obtained without having to go through the cargo areas as before. Plenty of room for buses and tour operators should also be provided. 

 

 

 

[Porky55]

Well said Kiwi Kruzer 👍

Edited May 2, 2019 by Porky55

[MicCanberra]

1 hour ago, Porky55 said:

Well said Kiwi Kruzer 👍

Agreed, hopefully they have improved on what they had previously.

[Beejay4016]

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Although I know it is more practical to have the ships docking in Lyttelton I will miss being anchored in Akaroa Harbour. It's so beautiful and peaceful there, and Akaroa is lovely to just wander around. Although Lyttelton Harbour is also lovely, Lyttelton is an industrial port so will be less peaceful.

 

I'm just so glad that on our HAL cruise we stopped at Akaroa - such a beautiful town.

[Relaxing Robbies]

We loved Akaroa when we visited there last December. The people we spoke to were not sure how the new Lyttleton dock would affect their visitor numbers. Apparently the port charges at Lyttleton will be much more expensive than Akaroa to the point where some cruiselines might elect not to use Lyttleton.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Some cruise ships will still choose Akaroa as a feature stop. Lyttleton will have appeal for the likes of Ovation of the Seas. 

[VK3DQ]

Whilst we do love New Zealand and find the people friendly and hospitable , we have explored many of the cruise ports to the extent that its no longer important to get ashore in fact shore days with many passengers ashore is often the best time to enjoy the ship

 

 

Best Regards

John

[MicCanberra]

IMO, exploring NZ is still better than staying on a ship, there is always something else to see or do, even if it is just hiring a car and driving.

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 hours ago, VK3DQ said:

Whilst we do love New Zealand and find the people friendly and hospitable , we have explored many of the cruise ports to the extent that its no longer important to get ashore in fact shore days with many passengers ashore is often the best time to enjoy the ship

 

 

Best Regards

John

Except in the Bluff Oyster season. They don't serve them onboard so you have to go ashore! 🤣

[The_Big_M]

As with kiwi kruzer, this doesn't mean no more visits to Akaroa.

 

I was on a cruise that berthed in Akaroa Harbour, when we also had a stop in Christchurch.

[MicCanberra]

You can probably get a cab from Lyttleton to Akaroa if you really wanted to.

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

You can probably get a cab from Lyttleton to Akaroa if you really wanted to.

It takes a good hour or more each way by car. A taxi would cost a fortune. 

[tb4]

Lyttleton has changed a bit since the earthquake. Its got some lovely cafes and on Saturdays has the best market in the city.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

8 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

You can probably get a cab from Lyttleton to Akaroa if you really wanted to.

 

8 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

It takes a good hour or more each way by car. A taxi would cost a fortune. 

 

No it doesnt. 

We were on a cruise once that called into Lyttleton and we shared a top of the range Taxi from the gangway to Akaroa and back for $200.00. Only $50 each between 4 of us. 

We shared it with  a couple who were taking one of the craft sessions on the ship and they had be back by noon. It was a lovely drive there and back and we had ample time to walk around and enjoy the town. The driver also showed us some of the back roads and views on the way. When we got back to the ship the couple got off and the driver was heading back to the City so he he took us in the CBD showing us ore highlights on the way ,  We had the afternoon in Christchurch and caught the local bus back to Lyttleton .

[MicCanberra]

9 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

It takes a good hour or more each way by car. A taxi would cost a fortune. 

If you really wanted to, cost isn't an issue.

[MicCanberra]

38 minutes ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

 

 

No it doesnt. 

We were on a cruise once that called into Lyttleton and we shared a top of the range Taxi from the gangway to Akaroa and back for $200.00. Only $50 each between 4 of us. 

We shared it with  a couple who were taking one of the craft sessions on the ship and they had be back by noon. It was a lovely drive there and back and we had ample time to walk around and enjoy the town. The driver also showed us some of the back roads and views on the way. When we got back to the ship the couple got off and the driver was heading back to the City so he he took us in the CBD showing us ore highlights on the way ,  We had the afternoon in Christchurch and caught the local bus back to Lyttleton .

Sounds good.

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 hours ago, Kiwi Kruzer said:

 

 

No it doesnt. 

We were on a cruise once that called into Lyttleton and we shared a top of the range Taxi from the gangway to Akaroa and back for $200.00. Only $50 each between 4 of us. 

 

That's a lot less than I would have expected given the distance and driving time between Lyttelton and Akaroa. It is a lovely drive though. We did it many years ago as a day trip from Christchurch, going to Akaroa first then over to Lyttelton.

[Russell21]

I think some of the smaller ships will still go to Akaroa, as many of the larger ships can't get in there so will go to Lyttleton.

[The_Big_M]

If you really wanted to, and cost isn't an issue, you could always take a helicopter, or many other options.

[MicCanberra]

36 minutes ago, Russell21 said:

I think some of the smaller ships will still go to Akaroa, as many of the larger ships can't get in there so will go to Lyttleton.

Azamara and such will likely still go to Akaroa.

[DDG 41]

2 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Azamara and such will likely still go to Akaroa.

Princess is also Continuing to call there but will have call to Lyttelton too.

Edited May 3, 2019 by DDG 41