Advertise at the Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre
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Over 75,000 passengers and crew will arrive in the city during the six-month season between October and May.
As Wellingtonians, let’s continue the tradition of being exceptional hosts. If you see a tourist or two say kia ora, offer directions or advise where to buy the best flat white, souvenir, or jumper.
Or, if you're keen to meet our visitors, join our vibrant welcome team as a Wellington City Ambassador. Find out more about becoming an ambassador below.
The cruise opportunity
With only a few hours in Wellington, cruise passengers have a small window (usually 8am to 6pm) to explore and experience attractions, shopping, and culture. As Wellingtonians, we need to help cruise passengers get the most out of their visit.
Stay up-to-date with the cruise schedule to keep track of arrival and departure times, as well as double days (when two ships are in port). The schedule can also change throughout the season at the last minute due to weather.
- The New Zealand Cruise Association provides detailed information on ship size and style. It also has passenger and crew numbers.
- CentrePort Wellington provides cruise timetables and information specific to Wellington.
- The Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre, on Cable Street, is the key information hub for all visitors to the city including cruise passengers. It is in the Tākina Wellington Exhibition and Convention Centre. Independent tour operators pick up and drop off from 217 Wakefield Street, outside Tākina.
- If you want information about last-minute cruise changes, contact the Tourism Trade team.
Celeste Fontein
Get your business cruise fit
Businesses can help build Wellington’s reputation as a cruise-friendly destination. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind to make the most of the cruise season.
- For the 2026/27 season, cruise shuttles will drop off and pick up passengers from Wakefield Street. Tour operators should use the pick-up / drop-off on the Wakefield Street side of Tākina. This is already signed for pick-up and drop-off, is close to the isite, and is labelled on city collateral. It is not a long-term waiting zone — drivers should not leave their vehicles unattended and please be respectful of other users. Shuttle stop location map (JPG, 555KB)
- Get exposure for your business: Invest in brochure pay and display at the Wellington isite as a key location to target passengers.
- Attract cruise passengers: Welcome each ship with window signage and potentially a special offer.
- Understand the cruise demographic: Different ships will carry different nationalities and age groups. About 60% of Wellington’s cruise passengers are Australian. During the Christmas period, expect to see more multi-generational families on board.
- Smile and say kia ora! Wellington’s reputation depends on our friendly locals. The NZ Cruise Association has more tips.
Note: Hawking for business is not permitted. It can be intimidating for passengers and create congestion and litter. Find out more: Wellington City Council’s Trading and Events in Public Places Policy.
Access to port
For the 2026/27 season, passengers can walk off the ship and straight into the city. Cruise shuttle buses or a pre-booked shore excursion pick up is also available at the port.
The last shuttle will leave the stop at Wakefield Street one hour before departure.
The collection point for independent operators at the port has been relocated back to the previous location, approximately 500m along Waterloo Quay, adjacent to the Stadium concourse. This is no longer at the ship. Access to this area requires operators to be registered with CentrePort.
Every driver will need:
- pre-approval from CentrePort
- to have completed CentrePort’s induction
- to carry appropriate identification.
Wellington City Ambassadors
Each season, a team of passionate volunteers welcome thousands of cruise passengers to the city. Positioned at key locations, they provide information, directions, and a friendly welcome to Wellington.
If you’re passionate about the Wellington region and want to become a Wellington City Ambassador, we’d love to hear from you.
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How we can help
Our Tourism Trade team works with a range of local tourism businesses. We can help you understand visitor markets and connect with travel sellers.
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