The arrival of the Royal Princess at the Port of Tauranga at 5.25am today means there are around 5000 visitors enjoying a day visit here. 

It’s a perfect sunny day at Mount Maunganui with the iconic coastal holiday town humming as visitors and crew members from the cruiseship wander the boardwalks and pavements, exploring shops and cafes.

Initially coming through the main gates, there is the milling around as people get themselves reoriented and find their direction for the day. 

“So where do we get the number five bus from?”

“Toe runga? I think it’s toe runga?

“Every day is a perfect day here.”

“Where’s the hop on hop off bus?”

And an Australian, pointing at the Port of Tauranga building - “I like the architecture.” 

Another, sitting by the port entrance on a wooden post, is enjoying the cool breeze and warm sun. 

“I’ve just got to wait for the boss to come through from the ship, then she’ll tell me where we’re going.”

There’s the usual confusion of getting sorted to either walk to the Mount Maunganui shops or catch a bus to Bayfair.

“Are there any shops here? How far do we have to walk to them? Oh there’s a sign - it says The Mall this way. Let’s go.”

“I’ve got 20 of their money so we can get on the bus.”

“I just want an icecream but the shop is closed? Are we too early?”

An I-site operates from within the NZ licensed customs controlled area providing information on activities for shore excursions and tours. Tourism Bay of Plenty also has a kiosk with information pamphlets available. 

Outside the port area, various tour buses wait.

Ian Holroyd, owner of Shore Trips & Tours and Cruise Tours Tauranga says their tours leave within two hours of the ship arriving in port.

“This is so they get back in time before the ship leaves.”

Todays his tours are booked by passengers heading to Rotorua to visit Te Puia and Whakarewarewa as well as tours to Hobbiton. The tours today leave at 8.30am, 9am and 10am. 

“The last one is 11am going to Hobbiton with the ship’s crew.”

Hundreds of passengers choose to stay at Mount Maunganui, strolling along Pilot Bay, up and around Mauao, along the ocean beach and back through the township. It’s a blue sky day, which the Mount is famous for and the vibe is relaxed and laid-back. The Nau Mai, Haere Mai, welcome is strong here.

The Royal Princess, which arrived from Wellington this morning has a gross tonnage of 144,216, is 330 metres long and has 3380 passengers and 1346 crew aboard. It leaves for Auckland at 7pm and will return to Tauranga on November 27.