Kiwi to build small cruise ship

InterCity Group Limited in New Zealand plans to boost tourism in Northland with a $7.3 million, fuel-efficient small cruise ship that will offer overnight cruises around the pristine waters of the Bay of Islands.

The 46 metre long catamaran, which is being designed to cruise at 12 knots with maximum stability, will take 18 months to complete. Building is due to begin early next year and to be completed by winter 2009, ready for summer sailings in and out of Opua.

Kings Dolphin Cruises & Eco Tours, which is part of InterCity Group, will operate the small vessel. Robyn Bolton, the manager for Destination Northland, said the Kings small ship cruises were an exciting new concept which would help boost tourism in Northland. “Visitors to Northland are interested in whatever they can do in, on or under the water. Kings small ship cruises will be a great new way for them to experience the iconic Bay of Islands,” said Bolton.

Sydney-based company Incat Crowther, which specialises in small ship design, has been contracted to design the Kings vessel. A state-of-the-art diesel-electric system for propulsion and power generation, which could reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%, is part of the design brief.

Two of the ship?s four decks will house 30 queen state rooms, all with en-suites and sea views. Four of the cabins will be able to be converted to sleep four people. The two other decks will include a sundeck and a 70-seat restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining and a bar which will be able to be converted into a conference space.

A range of small boats will ferry passengers around the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands for activities including beach walks, snorkelling, swimming and kayaking.

The newbuilding will also be available to sail to different parts of New Zealand and be used as a self-contained marine conference facility for up to 70 people.