Renee Goldup posted on January 12, 2010 09:59
In late December Stewart Island received an influx of visitors when the Holand America’s cruise liner; the Volendam arrived into Paterson Inlet.
The Volendam arrived on the 29th December and is possibly the biggest cruise ship to visit the island at almost four times the size of the Silversea vessels that Stewart Island usually gets.
The Volendam spent one day docked up in Paterson’s Inlet. The ship was full to capacity with 1,450 passengers and 600 crew onboard and an approx 800 guests came ashore onto Stewart Island.
It was an excellent opportunity for the islanders to show their southern hospitality and restaurants, slovenlier shops, local guides and suppliers of rental equipment including kayaks, bikes and scooters were busy keeping up with demand.
Toronto resident Hy Hirshberg watched his wife venture off for a guided kayaking trip and headed off on some short walking tracks. "It was like going on a treadmill for five hours. But the trails are beautiful and so well maintained. We’d been told it was untouched nature so hopefully it will stay that way."
Fellow passenger Mardi Hirshberg said the kayaking had been outstanding. "It got a little rough so we came back, but we stopped for tea in an inlet and had a seal swimming with us. It's more than we expected. It's so lovely here."
Stewart Island Promotions president Jon Spraggon said the town appeared to have coped with the extra visitors and businesses had done well. "Talking to the shopkeepers and they're quite happy. It's amazing to see the numbers walking around taking pictures."
Tourism New Zealand’s Cruise Market Development Manager Raewyn Tan was on Stewart Island during the visit and believed the stopover went very well.
In 2011 the Volendam will visit again as well as another Holand America cruise liner and other smaller cruise boats, so this was a good trial run for then.
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