Cruise line Ponant has been forced to scrap its short New Zealand season over an immigration dispute.
More than 60 crew members of Ponant’s Le Lapérouse ship were denied visas for New Zealand.
The crew were deemed by NZ immigration officials as non-essential and held roles that can be performed by Kiwis.
The line says it had been actively trying to appoint local Kiwis to take over the positions but has now conceded defeat.
The line had bookings for more than 600 guests on the short domestic voyages.
Cruises were only open to Kiwis under a special exemption granted by the NZ government.
"Guests are being contacted by their travel agents and individual arrangements being discussed with options of a cruise credit plus additional commercial gesture or a complete refund," said Sarina Bratton, Chair for Ponant Asia Pacific.
"Unless there is a change of Government policy it will be very difficult for any company to manage the commercial and operational risks in NZ," Bratton said.
Bratton says it is a huge disappointment and the cruise line ‘has invested millions of dollars promoting New Zealand internationally.’
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
