This section covers general questions on cruise arrivals and departures. If your question is not listed on this page, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Location
Where is the Cruise Terminal located?
Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf are conveniently located a few minutes' walk from Downtown Auckland and transport connections. Please note that you can access Queens Wharf only via left turn from Quay Street. See map at the top of this page.
How far away is the Airport from the Cruise Terminal?
The Cruise Ship terminals are located 22km from Auckland International Airport. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes by car, uber, or taxi outside of peak hour traffic. Sky Drive operates an Auckland City Express service for transfers between Auckland Airport and Auckland City. The nearest stop to Auckland Cruise terminals is Sky City Hobson Street. The service takes 45-60 minutes each way and operates all day, every day (departing every 12 minutes during peak times).
Where can I catch public transport?
Britomart Transport Centre for bus and train services is directly across the street from Queens Wharf, and only a five minute walk from Princes Wharf. The Downtown Ferry Terminal is located between Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf for ferries to Devonport, West Harbour, Half Moon Bay, Pine Harbour, Waiheke Island, and many tourist destinations. A taxi rank is also located at both Cruise Ship terminals.
Arriving Cruise Ship Vessels
Where can I find information about arriving and departing cruise vessels?
Click here for information regarding the arrival and departure dates, times, locations and other interesting information.
What time will the ship arrive alongside the berth?
The arrival time of the ship as noted on the Ports of Auckland Cruise Schedules page shows the Pilot boarding time. The ship then takes approximately an hour and a half to arrive alongside the berth. For example, if the Pilot boarding time is 5:30am, the ship should be alongside the berth and tied up around 7:00am.
What time do passengers start disembarking the cruise ship?
Passengers will generally start leaving around 30 minutes after the ship has arrived alongside the berth. This can vary between ships.
Vehicle access and parking at Queens Wharf
Am I able to drive onto Queens Wharf to collect passengers outside the terminal?
Yes, public access to the wharf is permitted. There is traffic control in place and you will be given directions on where to pick up or drop off your passengers. There is no public parking on the wharf.
Where am I allowed to park on Queens Wharf when a cruise ship is visiting
There is no public parking available on Queens Wharf. There are public parking facilities available at the Downtown car park, Viaduct car park, Britomart car park, and Fanshawe Street car park. It is recommended that you park and walk to meet passengers who will be at the passenger meeting point. See map at the top of this page.
Is there long-term parking available on Queens Wharf? A:
There is currently no long-term parking available at Auckland Cruise Terminals for passengers. However, please see below 'Car and Luggage Storage' section for options available nearby.
Vehicle access and parking at Princes Wharf
Am I able to drive onto Princes Wharf to collect passengers outside the terminal?
Yes, public access to the wharf is permitted for pick-up and drop-off only. There will be traffic control in place, and you will be given directions. Parking is restricted so you may not be able to stop.
Where am I allowed to park on Princes Wharf when a cruise ship is visiting?
There is limited car parking on Princes Wharf, and we advise you do not attempt to park here. There are public parking facilities available at the Downtown car park, Viaduct car park, Britomart car park, and Fanshawe Street car park. It is recommended that you park and walk to meet passengers who will be at the passenger exit/entry point. Click here to view a map.
Is there long-term parking available on Princes Wharf?
There is currently no long-term parking available at Auckland Cruise Terminals for passengers. However, please see below 'Car and Luggage Storage' section for options available nearby.
Contacting and meeting passengers on-board a cruise ship
Am I able to contact my family member/friend who is aboard the cruise ship?
You will be able to contact your family member/friend if they have a cellular phone. There is no communication available with the ship itself.
If you need to urgently contact a family member or friend, please refer to the shipping line's FAQ section on their website.
Where do I meet people who are disembarking the ship?
At Queens Wharf, the best place to meet passengers is at the entrance to Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.
At Princes Wharf there is only one passenger exit and this is outside Shed 21. This is indicated by the yellow star on the Princes Wharf map.
Am I able to pick up family/friends from the ship itself?
No - due to the Maritime Security Act 2004 and the Customs and Excise Act 1996, public access to the working areas of the port is restricted to those on port business.
Safety and security measures mean that access to ships is restricted to staff, passengers and crew only. Members of the public meeting passengers can do so outside these working and restricted areas.
I would like to board/visit the ship. How am I able to do so?
There are only two instances in which you will be able to board or visit the ship:
- If you are an embarking passenger in which case, please ensure you have your passport and ticketing information with you to gain entry to the terminal. Please have the passports for any children who will be accompanying you.
- If you are a pre-approved visitor to the ship you must have valid photo identification (passport, driver licence, 18+ card) in order to gain access to the ship.
Viewing the arrival/departure of a cruise ship
Where is the best place to view the arrival or departure of a cruise ship?
Any of the public areas on Queens Wharf and Princes Wharf, as well as along Quay Street near the Ferry Terminal will give good views of the ship. Other public areas that offer good views include the public walkway beside the helicopter terminal/Mikano restaurant, Fred Ambler Lookout, Mt Victoria, North Head, Devonport Wharf and East Coast Bays beaches.
Car and Luggage Storage
Can I drop-off my luggage at the Cruise Terminal?
Luggage drop-off is from 9:00am on the day of embarkation. Please note that no personal effects will be held. Once your luggage is checked in it will be taken directly to the ship and you will not have access to it until moving into your cabin.
Can I store my car and/or luggage at the Cruise Terminal
There are currently no car and luggage storage facilities available at the Auckland Cruise Terminals for passengers. However, please see below for car and luggage storage options available nearby.
Car Storage
Long term car parking/storage is available at Britomart Car Park on Quay Street and the Viaduct Car Park in the Viaduct Precinct. Click here to make a booking.
Platinum Parking provide car storage with pick-up from both Queens and Princes Wharves. Click here to make a booking.
Luggage Storage
Elockers are located at the Downtown Ferry Terminal - Pier 2 (next to the ferry boarding platforms) which are accessible 24/7 every day of the year.
The Luggage Hotel at Shed 23 on Princes Wharf offers short- and long-term luggage storage ranging from 0-2 hours up to 4 weeks. Click here for more information.
Tourist Information
Where can I find information on what to do in Auckland?
Visit Auckland i-site for tourist information on what to do and what is on in Auckland during your visit.
To see general questions asked about visiting Auckland, please click here, and for New Zealand, please click here.