A bit of Disney is coming to Taranaki
Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the gang will be sailing into Taranaki this summer.
In a surprise addition to the Taranaki cruise schedule, Port Taranaki General Manager Commercial Ross Dingle has confirmed that Disney-themed cruise ship Disney Wonder will visit on Sunday, 19 January 2025.
The 11-deck, 294m vessel, which accommodates 2,400 passengers and 945 crew, will arrive from Sydney at 10.15am and depart at 5.15pm, heading back to Sydney.
“Disney Wonder is one of the signature vessels sailing in Australasia, and there was a lot of hype around her first visit to New Zealand last November, so having her now come to Taranaki is fantastic and very exciting for the region,” Mr Dingle said.
He said a change of schedule had prompted the Taranaki visit.
“Disney Wonder was looking for a New Zealand port as an alternative stop following a change of schedule to its Disney Magic at Sea cruise. As a port of first and last call, and the only deep-water port on the west coast of New Zealand, Port Taranaki is uniquely positioned to quickly accommodate vessels coming from Australia,” Mr Dingle said.
“We put forward our interest and were able to provide the berthage and services the vessel required, so we’re thrilled to be able to make this happen.”
Port Taranaki has partnered with Te Puna Umaga Venture Taranaki in developing the Taranaki Cruise Strategy, which aims to sustainably grow cruise visits to the region.
The addition of Disney Wonder brings the number of cruise ship visits this season to six, and boosts the number of potential cruise visitors to more than 5,300.
Venture Taranaki GM Destination Brylee Flutey said Disney Wonder’s visit was fantastic for the region.
“Welcoming more than 2,000 extra visitors to Taranaki this summer will provide a real boost for our local economy, with local tourism, hospitality, and retail businesses in particular set to leverage this exciting new schedule addition,” Ms Flutey said.
“The passengers will have spent two or three days at sea since departing Sydney, and will be keen to get off the vessel, stretch their legs and explore all Taranaki has to offer.”
The Disney Magic at Sea cruises are generally two-to-seven nights, and family-oriented with a focus on the entertainment onboard.
The cruises include Broadway-style shows, such as Frozen, Disney Dreams, and Golden Mickeys, held at the Walt Disney Theatre, themed restaurants, fireworks at sea, Disney-themed parties, several pools, waterslides and splash zones, a massive outdoor LED screen on the ship’s funnel that screens movies and shows, and of course the chance to meet Disney characters.
For Disney-fatigued adults there are adult-only nightclubs and bars, and an up-scale restaurant.
Disney Wonder will be the equal largest cruise ship to visit Taranaki, alongside Queen Elizabeth and Island Princess, which both visited last season.
Other cruise ships visiting this season are Scenic Eclipse II (29 November), Silver Nova (15 December and 28 January), Azamara Pursuit (25 January) and Amadea (19 February).