Wind keeps cruise liners out of port | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The Sun Princess cruise liner was spotted a little closer than usual to Perfume Point in Ahuriri on Friday and the estimated 1900 passengers aboard had a good look at the Napier foreshore - which is all they got to see.

For the second time in seven days high winds got the better of the local cruise industry.

The previous Friday, the 77,499-tonne Sea Princess was forced to bypass the Port of Napier due to strong wind gusts.

It was the same situation last Friday when 75km/h gusts were recorded at Hawke's Bay Airport about the time the Sun Princess was scheduled to tie up.

It was the third non-arrival this season with the Dawn Princess having called off its visit on October 26 due to mechanical problems.

But the local tourism and hospitality industry was able to make up ground yesterday with the arrival of two of the biggest liners set to call during the summer.

Winds were light and the sun was bright as the 90,090-tonne Radiance of the Seas arrived with a potential passenger list of 2500 people, accompanied by the Pacific Dawn which can host 2050 people.

The streets of Napier were packed with people yesterday morning and into the early afternoon with cafes reporting big business.

Organised Art Deco tours were also popular.

There is a break in the cruise-ship schedule now until this Friday when the Sea Princess is set to return - and hopefully make it to the dockside after the wind-cancelled November 18 visit.

The Metservice long-range forecast for this Friday is for moderate northeasterly winds, although showers are expected.