FAQs

During the cruise season, Port Otago operates two cruise terminals - Port Chalmers and Dunedin - to accommodate passengers’ needs. The majority of cruise ships berth at Port Chalmers, with smaller expedition ships berthing in Dunedin.

Please check the Cruise Ship Schedule to see where your cruise ship will be berthing.

The Dunedin International Airport is 40km from Port Chalmers. It takes approximately 45 minutes by car, taxi or shuttle.

Cruise ships provide shuttles to transport passengers into town. Costs vary, so refer to your specific ship's information for details.

There are public transport buses, situated on the main street of Port Chalmers. Please refer to the bus time schedules on the Otago regional Council (ORC) website.

Please see the Cruise Ship Schedule.

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.

See the next question for recommended meeting points.

Port Chalmers: We recommend meeting up with passengers on the main street of Port Chalmers. Popular locations are outside the Port Chalmers Maritime Museum, the public library or one of our local cafes.

Dunedin: You can collect passengers from immediately outside the cruise terminal on Fryatt Street.

You will be able to contact your family member/friend if they have a cellular phone. There is no direct communication available with the ship, itself.

Any of the Port Chalmers lookouts will give good views of the ship. 

When you arrive you, can visit the i-Site within our Port Chalmers cruise terminal, or the i-Site in Dunedin’s city centre, the Octagon. For more information about what to do in Dunedin and what is on during your visit, you can also check out http://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/

Please see our Tour Operators page for relevant forms, procedures and guidelines.