IT’S been a milestone week for Napier Port after it accepted its 1000th cruise ship in what is looking to be its busiest summer on record.  

Silver Muse was the vessel that brought up 1000 cruise ship visits, 30 years after the first entered the port.  

Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson presented the ship’s captain with a gift to commemorate the milestone. 

“This cruise season is set to be the port’s busiest yet with 72 cruise visits already and another 17 bookings through to early April,” Mr Dawson said. 

“We’ve had more double and triple ship stays than ever before, and also welcomed a number of maiden cruise line calls.  

“That translates to more than 130,000 cruise visitors to Hawke’s Bay, which is a significant and timely boost to the local economy and our region’s ongoing post-cyclone recovery.” 

The new Te Whiti (6 Wharf) has boosted the port’s wharf capacity.