New Zealand is back on the cruise map with the arrival of the first cruise ship since the closing of its borders at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The first cruise ship to visit New Zealand is the Pacific Explorer arriving in Auckland this morning with a fanfare welcome.

P&O's Pacific Explorer entered Auckland Harbor at around 7.30am after crossing the Tasman from Sydney. The ship was met by the aide ship Peretta and a tug boat, which saluted the vessel with a water cannon.

The Pacific Explorer will be docked at Queen's Wharf for eight hours before sailing to Lautoka, Fiji.

The welcoming festivities included a private power performance, kapa haka and speeches by officials including P&O Cruises President Marguerite Fitzgerald, Auckland Mayor Phil Gough and P&O Cruise Director Julie McEwen.

"It's been one hell of a ride the last couple of years, hasn't it," Goff told the crowd of invited guests. He said he was looking forward to the "pure joy" of returning cruise tourists to the city.

Pacific Explorer has 999 guest rooms and 11 guest decks, with a maximum capacity of 1,998 passengers.

New Zealand's borders reopened on July 31 to include cruise ships for the first time since March 2020.

The next ship to visit Auckland is the Majestic Princess, arriving in October, kicking off the busy summer cruise season.