Kiwi_cruiser Posted May 1, 2019 #1 Share Posted May 1, 2019 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 Read more > Good news for Lyttelton and Christchurch but Bad News for Akaroa 😥 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinbadThePorter Posted May 1, 2019 #2 Share Posted May 1, 2019 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." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #3 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Agreed, one place wins, the other loses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted May 2, 2019 #4 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted May 2, 2019 #5 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky55 Posted May 2, 2019 #6 Share Posted May 2, 2019 (edited) Well said Kiwi Kruzer 👍 Edited May 2, 2019 by Porky55 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #7 Share Posted May 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Porky55 said: Well said Kiwi Kruzer 👍 Agreed, hopefully they have improved on what they had previously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beejay4016 Posted May 2, 2019 #8 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Relaxing Robbies Posted May 2, 2019 #9 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted May 2, 2019 #10 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Some cruise ships will still choose Akaroa as a feature stop. Lyttleton will have appeal for the likes of Ovation of the Seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VK3DQ Posted May 2, 2019 #11 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #12 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted May 2, 2019 #13 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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! 🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted May 2, 2019 #14 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #15 Share Posted May 2, 2019 You can probably get a cab from Lyttleton to Akaroa if you really wanted to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted May 2, 2019 #16 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb4 Posted May 2, 2019 #17 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Lyttleton has changed a bit since the earthquake. Its got some lovely cafes and on Saturdays has the best market in the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted May 2, 2019 #18 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #19 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 2, 2019 #20 Share Posted May 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted May 3, 2019 #21 Share Posted May 3, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell21 Posted May 3, 2019 #22 Share Posted May 3, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted May 3, 2019 #23 Share Posted May 3, 2019 If you really wanted to, and cost isn't an issue, you could always take a helicopter, or many other options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted May 3, 2019 #24 Share Posted May 3, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDG 41 Posted May 3, 2019 #25 Share Posted May 3, 2019 (edited) 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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