Future calls to New Zealand's South Island are potentially in danger of being canceled due to a lack of dedicated berth at Lyttelton port due to earthquake damage.
Royal Caribbean ground handler and representative Tony Petrie said the number of Voyager class ships that visit the South Island had dwindled given the lack of a viable port to call at in Canterbury. Royal Caribbean's ships could stop at Port Charmers in Otago but would not stop in Akaroa.
Earthquake damage to Christchurch in 2011 ruined the existing port infrastructure.
Essentially, Petrie said marketing cruises to Port Chalmers is more difficult because customers are unwilling to go on a longer cruise without a stop in Lyttelton.
Royal Caribbean had more than 30% of the overall New Zealand cruise market.
