The cruise industry wants a ban on cruise ships lifted to allow Kiwis-only voyages around the New Zealand ports.
The Government suspended all cruise ship visits until the end of June and Cruise New Zealand Association chief executive Kevin O’Sullivan said they were anxious to prevent any extension.
Several cruise companies, including the small luxury Ponant line, had shown interest in running cruises for New Zealand passengers only, adding Australians when the trans-Tasman travel bubble opened up.
O’Sullivan said Cruise NZ was encouraging businesses who had previously benefited from port visits to lobby their local Members of Parliament about ending the port ban on cruise vessels introduced in March to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The initial plan was for ships return and lay up until they were permitted to take on passengers, with crews quarantining en route, O’Sullivan said
“We’re getting quite a bit of traction with various government agencies because it is very similar to commercial shipping arrivals.”
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