Royalty docks at Port of Tauranga

The Queen Victoria arrived in Tauranga at 4.15am. Photo: http://crew-center.com/queen-victoria-itinerary

Queen Victoria has made her way into Tauranga today.

The Cunard ocean liner docked at the Port of Tauranga around 5am.

Ocean liners are built to be heavier, with a thicker hull and greater draft so that they are more stable at sea.

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of consumer marketing Kath Low says a cruise ship in the modern cruise industry is usually seen as a destination in and of itself.

Cruise ships place an emphasis on ‘fun' and the range of activities and types of entertainment you can enjoy onboard.

Kath says Cunard is the leader in providing what is called an ‘ocean liner experience'.

The atmosphere aboard an ocean liner is more elegant, with historic traditions such as the Captain's Cocktail party, formal nights, and traditional shipboard games observed to this day aboard Cunard's three ships, which are the last remaining ‘ocean liners' in mainstream cruise service.

Activities onboard include daily afternoon tea served by waiters in white gloves, black tie and gowns most nights and ballroom dancing in the Queens Room Ballroom with a live orchestra.

'The tradition and feel of the glory days of ocean liner travel permeates through all the fleet,” says Kath.

Cunard is the only cruise line with a British Royal Family Connection.

All the Cunard ships in service, and their previous flagship ships in recent history, have been named by a member of the British Royal Family.

'Most of them by Queen Elizabeth II herself.

'The Royal Family often pay visits to one of the ships at high profile events related to an anniversary or celebration of significant Cunard milestones.”

When asked what is means having a ship like this in the Bay of Plenty, Kath says the glamour of Queen Victoria shows the Cunard line's commitment to continue showcasing the Bay of Plenty to their passengers.

'We're thrilled to welcome such a beautiful ship to our shores and encourage locals to come down to Pilot Bay to admire her.”

Queen Victoria's tonnage is 90,049 and she carries a maximum of 1988 passengers and 981 crew.

"This is Queen Victoria's first ever visit to the Port of Tauranga and the only visit that she will be making to our region this 2018-2019 cruise ship season," says Kath.

The ship is expected to depart at 10.45pm.

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