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Kiwi-only cruises will soon get the green light to set sail, as the first passenger ship to get a government exemption docks in New Zealand.
The Heritage Expeditions flagship Spirit of Enderby, based in Christchurch, arrived in the port of Lyttelton on Monday.
The arrival marked a trifecta of firsts: the first cruise of the summer to arrive in New Zealand, the first captained by New Zealand’s first and only marine pilot, Joanne Laing, and the first ship to dock on Lyttelton’s new 67-year-old cruise ship. millions of dollars. Rob.
Lyttelton Port Company CEO Phil de Joux said he didn’t expect a cruise ship to use the berth so soon.
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“Obviously, Covid has had a huge impact on the cruise market, so we are really excited.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
The Heritage Expeditions cruise ship arrives at the Lyttelton cruise pier, the first ship to use the new pier.
“We had been looking for other uses for it … A Korean Antarctic research ship will use it next week, but right now we have quite a bit of congestion in our port so it will be good.”
De Joux said that despite the buffer that Covid-19 had put on the cruise industry, he was proud that his team was able to finish the berthing on time and on budget.
“We are almost at the end of five years of rebuilding after the earthquakes. It is the end of an era and it is a great asset for the future ”.
Heritage Expeditions Director Aaron Russ said that as a small local business they were excited to have the cruises up and running again.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
The Russian crew members received another Covid-19 test Monday morning and have to stay on the ship for now.
The Spirit of Enderby sailed directly from Vladivostok in eastern Russia and the crew has been isolated for 43 days.
“They had two weeks and two Covid tests moored at sea, then 29 days of navigation.”
The crew had another test at 9 a.m. Monday and remains confined to the ship for now.
Russ said there had been a lot of support and interest from the locals.
“They are very interested in discovering the wilder side of our travel bubble.”
The 50-passenger ship will sail to Invercargill to pick up its first passengers on November 24.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
The ship will sail to Invercargill to pick up its first passengers for its exclusive kiwi cruise.
You will then embark on an expedition to Fiordland and Stewart Island.
Russ said that longer trips to the subantarctic islands are also offered and that the company expected to be able to travel to Antarctica in January or February.
“Six months ago, our cruises were completely booked by foreign passengers and we had to move them all to the next year.
“The Kiwis have already filled many of their spots … we are very happy with the amount of support.”
