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Cruise Sale Information From now for a limited time, you can enjoy savings of upto AUD$2,300 on 2025-2027 River, Ocean and Expedition voyages. While solo travellers can also enjoy a 25% saving across a selection of sailings. Has there ever been a better time to book your Viking adventure? Grand European Tour – Budapest to Continue Reading

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If you didn’t see our first post, go back and read this before continuing to read this update. Explora Journeys launched their first ship in August 2023, Explora Journey 1. They are owned by the MSC group and have Explora Journey ii joining the fleet in August 2024, then four more ships over the next Continue Reading

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Dunedin Roundtrip | 15 Days | from just USD$12,556.00 per person Welcome to Aurora Expeditions’ Subantarctic Discovery expedition. Discover the primordial beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Australian and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands on this in-depth exploration of a most rugged region of the antipodes. Witness richly endemic birdlife flourishing on Stewart and Ulva Continue Reading

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Cruises to Wellington, New Zealand

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Wellington New Zealand Cruise Port Guide

Windy Wellington has made many best-of lists recently from places like Lonely Planet, who tout New Zealand’s capital as one of the world’s most livable cities. But Wellington is also a great destination for travelers passing through on a cruise for its abundant nature, informative and quirky museums, and a burgeoning film industry that makes for exciting tours of faraway, fictional lands.

Start your day in nature at the Wellington Botanical Garden or at protected wildlife sanctuary Zealandia, just two special attractions that highlight New Zealand’s commitment to the natural environment and animal conservation. Learn the history of the Maori at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Hike the walking trails to the top of Mount Victoria in the afternoon, where the overlook offers a seaside and cityscape view that’s hard to beat but easy to photograph. Wellington is a delightful, walkable city, and the way that locals care about their city will certainly stand out while you’re traveling on your New Zealand cruise .

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Conservationists and animal lovers will rejoice when they go to Zealandia, a massive ecosanctuary dedicated to protecting endangered species that are native to New Zealand. It’s the only fenced-in urban eco-sanctuary in the world. Take a guided tour to spot rare birds like the spotted kiwi and the kaka, or the curious tuatara - an ancient reptile. If you have time, a night tour is a must to experience the nocturnal creatures there.

Wellington Museum

This former 19th century store is now a charming, small museum dedicated to the maritime history of Wellington and the history of the Maori who first lived in the area. It’s a good way to experience Wellington’s quirky personality in just one stop.

Wellington Botanical Gardens

Experience a full day in Wellington’s nature when you head to the Wellington Botanical Garden, a paradise in the middle of a compact metropolitan area. This is one of the most treasured green spaces in the city. Wander through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden or sip tea at the garden’s café.

Learn More About Wellington Shore Excursions

Top things to do in wellington, lookout from mt. victoria.

Mt. Victoria is one of Wellington’s most memorable sights, and it’s a tradition for travelers to climb the nearly 650-foot mountain paths on the way to a panoramic view of Wellington’s skyline and the sea. For accessibility, look for the No. 20 bus, which takes passengers up to the lookout point and back to the foot of the mountain. 

See a Show at the Embassy Theatre

Wellywood, as the locals call their version of Hollywood, is well within reach during your Wellington cruise, especially at the glamorous Embassy Theatre. This art deco style theater was built in the 1920s, and it’s still delighting movie goers today. Stay for a cocktail at the Black Sparrow bar in the back.

Tour Weta Cave

Weta Workshop is the birthplace of some pretty incredible movie magic, providing the special effects for many Hollywood blockbuster films. You can learn about their processes in a 45-minute tour of the props and costumes, check out the curiosities for sale in the Weta Cave, and take photos with the trolls at the front door. It’s a must-do experience for movie buffs and Hollywood fans. 

Top Food & Drink Spots Near the Wellington Cruise Port

Hippopotamus Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Address: 90 Cable St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Right across the road from Te Papa Museum, QT Hotel is the trendy, high-end destination for cocktails, shared plates and fine dining. Ground level Hot Sauce is the place for cocktails and shared plates with an Asian influence, or for a top dining experience check out Hippopotamus Restaurant & Cocktail Bar. Upstairs in QT Wellington Hotel, Hippopotamus offers breakfast, lunch, high tea, and dinner with views of Wellington Harbor from the windows. French-inspired menu items, from seared salmon to le filet de bœuf, a 55-day aged beef dish, are must-tries.

Address: 181 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Head to Loretta’s on Cuba Street for a casual lunch featuring local flavors and delicacies you wouldn’t expect, like rabbit risotto or a wild boar ragu. They also serve breakfast items and standard oven-fired pizzas. Top off your meal with ice cream or gelato for dessert.

Logan Brown

Address: 192 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6141, New Zealand

Logan Brown is the spot where you’ll want to go for a special occasion or when you’re all dressed up. The menu is creative and cleverly executed, and you can choose from the chef’s choice menu of five courses or go a la carte, where you can enjoy shucked-to-order oysters, onion tartlets, or gin-cured salmon with charred beets.

Address: 6 Swan Ln, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

This wine bar specializes in handpicked wines and the art of finding the perfect pairing. For wine lovers, this is a must in Wellington for its nearly 500 wines to choose from. The seasonally changing menu features charcuterie and cheese boards, oysters, or main dishes from wild venison to the comforting house lasagna.

Culture and History of Wellington, New Zealand

The Maori were the first residents in the Wellington area, dating back as far as the 11th century. Europeans colonized New Zealand in the early 19th century. Wellington became New Zealand’s capital in 1865 but the city was a bustling trade hub several decades before becoming the capital. Nearly half a million people live in Wellington today, and it’s grown in status and renown throughout the years. Beyond trade and international commerce, Wellington is also a center for the film industry in New Zealand. Today, Wellington consistently makes “top places to live” lists, and it continues to charm visitors despite its often windy weather.

Wellington Port Facilities & Location

Your Wellington cruise ship docks in Centre Port, sometimes at Queen’s Wharf cruise terminal or Aotea Quay. Bigger ships dock at Aotea Quay, and then travelers can take a free shuttle to Lambton Quay, or walk into downtown Wellington on foot, which is about a half hour’s walk away. The ports are typically equipped with standard amenities like Wi-Fi, an information desk, and an ATM.

Transportation in Wellington

There’s no shortage of ways to get around on your Wellington cruise. If you’re sticking to the city center, the major downtown destinations are walkable. Nothing is more than a 15 to 20-minute walk from one side of the city’s downtown to the other. The train system mostly caters to getting to the suburbs of Wellington, not for inner city navigation. Taxis are available and Uber operates in Wellington as well. There are also bike and car rentals for visitors. Bike tours are increasingly popular with tourists on a Wellington cruise.

Shopping Near the Wellington Cruise Port

Because the downtown area of Wellington only spans about a mile, shopping options in Wellington are easily walkable from one boutique to the next. From local wine stores to locally-made fashions, Wellington has a cosmopolitan shopping reputation. The best shopping in the area is called the “Golden Mile,” which includes the streets of Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Courtenay Place, and Manners Street. High-end fashions and international names rule the streets along the Golden Mile. For vintage digs, check out the independent shops and tiny cafes dotting Cuba Street.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

In New Zealand, the official currency is the New Zealand dollar. Credit cards are generally accepted in most places. Carrying extra cash isn’t necessary, but it can be helpful to have a little cash on hand for small purchases. The practice of tipping isn’t customary in New Zealand, but you can feel free to round up to the nearest New Zealand dollar (NZ$) if you had great service. There isn’t typically a service charge on any of the bills you’ll get when docked on your Wellington, New Zealand cruise.

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CentrePort is proud to play its role in the cruise industry, which provides a valuable boost to local businesses, and other economic benefits to the Wellington region. Ministry of Health and Maritime New Zealand Covid-19 protocols are in place for Cruise ship visits. 

Cruise Schedule - 2024-2025 Season 

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Welcome to Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Welcome to our cool little capital. The Wellington Cruise berth is approximately 1.5 kms (or 1 mile) north of the city CBD.

If you are a cruise passenger, you can not walk into the city from the wharf and can not be picked up at the port by a private car or taxi . Please make sure you factor this into your plans. You can only get into the city by booking a shore excursion through your cruise provider, by booking an independent accredited tour, or by catching a cruise shuttle.

The Cruise shuttle stop for 2023/24 is located on Lambton Quay in front of the Old Government Buildings

Please note that since the 2016 Kaik ō ura earthquake, our port has changed dramatically and now has a wider operational area, so passengers only have pedestrian access to designated cruise zones on the wharf.  

You can only pick up friends or family in the city

If you're a local and want to pick up a cruise passenger, please arrange to collect them from a cruise shuttle stop, or at a safe collection point in the city. 

No taxi access on port

Taxis are not permitted to pick up or drop of passengers at the wharf. If you need to catch a taxi, please arrange to be picked up somewhere safe in the city or from a cruise shuttle stop.  

Getting back to the ship

If your tour company is not dropping you off directly back at the wharf, please ensure you catch a cruise shuttle in time to get back to the ship. The cruise shuttle bus stops at the Old Government Building on Lambton Quay. Shuttle stop maps will be available on the wharf when you arrive.  

Tour companies

We have limited capacity for tourism operators to pick passengers up from the cruise berth. If you are a tourism operator, you will need to go through an approval process to gain access.

Passenger collection is not available in the city so it is preferred that you are an approved operator and collect passengers directly from port.

All official tourism providers including cruise ambassadors, cruise volunteers, and cruise shuttles must complete the cruise-specific online induction.

To access this induction, in the first instance please contact your managing organisation (e.g Tranzit). If you are unsure please get in touch with our cruise team. 

Cruise Contact

Online inductions must be read and completed by the person intending to access the port. The induction must not be completed by another person on their behalf under any circumstances.

Identification on port

Once you’ve successfully completed the cruise induction, you’ll be issued a CentrePort identification card within 5 days. This can be picked up from the Inwards Goods office on port.

Visiting us 

You must carry your identification card with you at all times when on port.

Cruise ship servicing contractors

If you need to be on port to provide a maintenance, delivery or other service to a cruise ship, you’ll need to complete our general induction. Examples of this include truck drivers, divers, painters, and maintenance contractors. 

CentrePort induction

If you fulfil a role such as tour guide, ambassador, or bus driver, please read the section above on Tour Companies. 

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 7:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm (AES/DT) Closed on Public Holidays.

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Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Wellington - Cruise Overview

View of Wellington from Mount Victoria, New Zealand

By Rob Suisted

Wellington is a sophisticated yet friendly city - and for cruise travellers has both urban excitement within and untouched nature spots.

Nestled between a picturesque harbour and forest clad hills, Wellington boasts museums, galleries, boutique shopping, trendy cafés and fine restaurants. The national museum of Te Papa is a favourite among visitors and locals alike. Wellington's compact size makes it easy to walk around and its proximity to the ocean and native forests makes it an ideal place to enjoy nature. It's no surprise Lonely Planet labelled Wellington “the coolest little capital in the world” in its Best in Travel 2011 guidebook.

Wellington City, Wellington

By Julian Apse

Popular onshore activities in Wellington

• Visit Te Papa , the new generation national museum. Interactive exhibits and technology tell New Zealand's stories and history.
• Experience chic café culture at one of Wellington’s many eateries. Coffee in Wellington is world-class!
• Ride Wellington’s iconic red cable car , see stunning views from Mt Victoria, and stroll through the Wellington Botanic Garden .
• Lord of the Rings location tours are available for those who want to visit sites around Wellington used during filming. Make sure you pop into the Wētā workshop .
• Take a step back in time at Zealandia , just 10 minutes from the cruise terminal– a 500-year conservation plan in action and a wonderful place to wander. If you have time, go and see endangered fur seals on Wellington’s South Coast.

Cable car, Wellington City , New Zealand

By Graeme Murray

Getting around

Ferries such as East by West (opens in new window) , travelling to Mātiu/Somes Island and crossing the harbour to Days Bay dock at Queen’s Wharf, right in the centre of the city.

Cruise ships arriving into Wellington berth at Aotea Quay. All passengers are shuttled on and off-port; there is no walk or taxi option available and rental cars should be booked for central city pickup.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by friendly volunteer Wellington City Ambassadors who can supply you with maps and important information such as what to do and where to find money changing facilities. Passengers are dropped off in downtown Wellington outside Parliament Buildings. If you’re looking for local assistance you can call into the Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre (opens in new window) .

Wellington is a compact city, ideal for exploring on foot. Great shopping can be found on Lambton Quay, while some of New Zealand’s best restaurants, cafés and bars are in Courtney Place, about 35 minutes’ walk from Aotea Quay, or 15 minutes’ walk from Queen’s Wharf.

Public buses

It’s easy to get around the inner city and surrounding suburbs on Wellington’s modern public bus network. A bus to locations in the central city will cost approximately NZ$2, while bus trips to the suburbs will be approximately NZ$3 - 5.

Freephone 0800 801 700 or visit www.metlink.org.nz (opens in new window) for timetables and fares.

Taxis are available to take you into the centre of Wellington from Aotea Quay or Queen’s Wharf. Corporate Cabs can be contacted on  (04) 387 4600 , or visit online at www.corporatecabs.co.nz (opens in new window)

Corporate Cabs accepts New Zealand dollars and major credit cards.

It’s a good idea to book rental cars in advance. Find a rental car  in Wellington.

The East By West Wellington harbour ferry provides a link between the city (Queens Wharf) and the seaside village of Days Bay on the north-east side of Wellington harbour, with an optional stop at Matiu/Somes Island, a predator free, scientific reserve in the middle of Wellington harbour. One way tickets cost from NZ$10.

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Wellington, New Zealand

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Cruise to Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in wellington.

See the Flowers on a Cable Car

The Wellington Cable Car in New Zealand

Called a cable car, this red train is an on-the-ground funicular rather than a gondola. Take it up to the Kelborn Lookout over the harbor and the botanical garden, the planetarium at the Carter Observatory or beyond via free shuttle to the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary.

Treasures at Te Papa

Docks near the Te Papa museum in Wellington, New Zealand

Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, with free admission. Its full name means "container of treasures" in Maori, and the museum has six floors of cultural and historical treasures with several interactive exhibits.

The Beehive

New Zealand's parliament buildings are nicknamed the Beehive, since the main building, Bowen House, looks like a skep beehive. Go inside for a free guided tour to see how New Zealand's government works with your cruise to Wellington. Does the building look familiar? It's on New Zealand's $20 bills.

Local Cuisine

At Karaka Cafe, try traditional Maori foods like rewena sourdough bread and Hangi, which is cooked in a pit oven using heated rocks. Wellington is New Zealand's craft beer capital, so have a pint if you can tear yourself away from New Zealand's fantastic wines. Wellington has its very own wine country, just an hour's drive or a picturesque train trip from the bustling central city. Wairarapa is a charming rural wine area that's renowned for its world-class Pinot Noir and warm hospitality.

The Golden Mile hosts lots of Wellington shopping, beginning at Lambton Quay and then along Willis Street. Lambton Quay also hosts David Jones department store. The historic Old Bank Arcade has the shops of several New Zealand designers. One of the main shopping thoroughfares in the capital, Cuba Street is famous for its bohemian spirit and quirky boutique shopping.

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Trip to Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand. It's scenic natural harbour and green hillsides adorned with tiered suburbs of colonial villas are popular with tourists. The city offers a blend of culture, heritage, fine food and coffee, together with lively arts and entertainment.

Surrounded by hills and a rugged coastline, it serves up a vibrant inner city experience with a slice of New Zealand scenery. And because of its compact nature, you can sample it all: boutiques, art galleries, trendy cafés and restaurants. Right on its doorstep is a network of walking and biking trails with beautiful wineries and vineyards just a few hours away.

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Wellington (New Zealand)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands

Local Time 2024-08-23 10:37

Port Wellington cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Wellington, New Zealand. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Wellington Harbour cruise port is located on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. The harbour is among the world's best harbor waterways and is the center of an extinct, flooded volcano. Wellington is also known as "Windy City" as winds and fog are common for the region. Wellington is NZ's 3rd largest containership port and also has a large-capacity tanker terminal. The city is served by Wellington International Airport (aka Rongotai Airport, approx 3,5 ml / 5,5 km southeast from city centre) and also by Interislander  ferries , with regularly scheduled daily crossings to  Picton .

The port's cruise ship schedule lists major companies ' vessels from the fleets of RCI (Royal Caribbean) , Carnival Australia , Cunard (visiting on world cruises ), P&O Australia , Celebrity , Holland America , Princess . The port benefits from the city's compact size, good infrastructure, popular among the day visitors activities and typical NZ vacation experiences on various shore excursions.

Port Wellington

CentrePort Wellington is jointly owned by Wellington Regional Council (77%) and Horizons Regional Council (23%). The port authority company also owns major inland freight hubs ( New Plymouth , Palmerston North, Whanganui, Blenheim) allowing it to handle over 1/4 ( 27%) of NZ's domestic product, with reported over 14,000 shipping movements annually. Port's cruising season runs April through October.

Season 2017-2018 started with the RCI ship Radiance of the Seas - among the largest liners ever visiting Wellington NZ. The cruise port handled 82 ship calls and around 320,000 tourists (passengers and crew). This was a 12% increase over season 2016-2017 (with estimated USD 65,7 million added to the local economy). The 2017-18's inaugural calls were from NCL 's Norwegian Jewel , Viking Ocean 's Viking Sun and NYK Line's Asuka II .

For season 2018-2019, the port had booked 110 ship calls (estimated 320,000 passengers+crew), with scheduled inaugural visits by Norwegian Jewel (NCL), Viking Sun (Viking Ocean) and Asuka 2 (NYK Line). Port's schedule had 24 "two-ship" days. On March 16th, the port celebrated its 100th handled cruise ship call (by Golden Princess ) made during 13-day NZ itinerary roundtrip from homeport Melbourne Australia .

For season 2019-2020 are already booked 120+ ship calls.

Wellington cruise terminal

Wellington cruise port has 3 main docking piers – Aotea Quay (largest), Queens Wharf and Overseas Terminal (smallest). For arriving cruise passengers, the port authority provides free shuttle bus service running between the terminal and downtown Wellington. Taxis are also available as an alternative transportation.

Aotea Quay Terminal

The port's most booked by cruise ships passenger terminal is Aotea Quay Terminal as it has capacity to handle larger vessels. The terminal is located between Inter-Island Ferry Terminal and the port's train station (approx 5 min walking distance). The station complex has cafes, small shops and bus terminal serving the line to the city.

The city center is less than 1,5 ml (2,5 km) from the terminal, or approx 25 min walking distance (8 min drive by car or bus). The nearest shopping complex (on Lambton Quay) is approx 1 ml (2 km) away. The airport is located approx 6 ml (10 km) from the cruise terminal. Aotea Quay is also close to Westpac Stadium (aka Cake Tin).

Queens Wharf Terminal

Queens Wharf is the closest to the city center cruise terminal (0,6 ml / 1 km away) but it can serve smaller vessels. The nearest shopping area (Lambton Quay) is at 10 min walking distance, and the airport is around 2,5 km (4 km) from the passenger terminal.

Overseas Terminal

This pier is very rarely used as it can handle only the smallest cruise ships.

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring New Zealand travel through photography

Wellington Cruise Port: 10 Must-Dos for Amazing DIY or Tours

Sailing into the Wellington cruise port greets visitors with vibrant charm. The city is nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour offering a unique blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication.

From the moment we set foot in the city, we knew we were in for an unforgettable adventure. Wellington offers a rich array of activities, whether you’re keen on DIY (self-guided explorations) or prefer the ease of shore excursions.

Below we share our top 10 favourite things to do with only one day in Wellington.

Map of Wellington cruise port highlights including the Dock location

Most cruise ships sailing into Wellington berth at Aotea Quay, which is about 1.5 km (just less than a mile) north of the city centre. Some smaller ships dock at Queen’s Wharf, which is even more centrally located.

Tour or DIY: What is the best way to Enjoy Wellington cruise port?

The answer to this depends on what you want to see, and whether or not you think a guide is worth the cost. We go into more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of shore options here .

That aside, the main Wellington cruise port terminal is relatively centrally located, and the small ship alternative is even better. It’s an easy city to walk, and so much is free to enter. We included our favourite self-guided walking loop below .

However, you will see more with a guide that has a driver, or on one of the many Wellington tours. When we cruise, we like to make the most of our one day in Wellington.

Walking distance from Wellington Cruise port

Te Papa Tongarewa (the National Museum of New Zealand) and several other museums.

Wellington Botanic Gardens

Cuba Street

Parliament Buildings

Transport needed from Wellington Cruise port

Weta Workshop and Weta Cave

Mount Victoria lookout (although I have walked up many times)

Zealandia Ecosanctuary

Wine tasting

Read next: how we choose the best way to see a cruise port .

What to do in one day in Wellington

We detailed 37 of our favourite things to do in New Zealand’s capital city here , but with only one day in Wellington, these are what we consider the highlights. Unlike many New Zealand cities, many of the best things to do in the capital are free .

1. Visit Te Papa Tongarewa (National Museum of New Zealand)

• What to do: The national museum is loaded with innovative, interactive, and engaging exhibits. I stop in every time I visit Wellington. It features diverse collections showcasing Maori and Pacific cultures, natural history, and New Zealand’s social, political, and cultural history.
• Why it’s great: It’s free, located along the Waterfront, and offers a comprehensive overview of the country’s heritage, plus cool things like the larger-than-life Gallipoli exhibit, the colossal squid (the only one on display worldwide), and the interactive areas for kids.

2. historic cable car

• What to do: Ride the historic cable car to the top stop at Kelburn Hill. Here you can’t help but enjoy the stunning views over the city and harbour.
• Why it’s great : Low price, stunning views, and it’s just fun.
• Pro tip : You can purchase a ticket at the Lambton Quay entrance, which is located down the end of a laneway right next to Countdown (grocery store).

3. Wellington Botanic Garden

• What to do : I love strolling through the beautiful 26-hectare Wellington Botanic Garden , enjoying native bush, exotic forests, and colourful flowers. There are also a variety of specialty gardens like the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House.
• Why it’s great : It’s a serene escape from the city, with lovely walking trails and a gorgeous view of the city at the cable car entrance.

4. Parliament Buildings

• What to do : Take a guided tour of the Beehive and other parliamentary buildings. Note that Parliament tours require booking at least 24 hours in advance. There is a dress code, and adults are not allowed to wear short pants to Parliament. No photos are allowed during the tour, and your camera will be securely stored during the tour. Check their  official website for tour options and booking details.
• Why it’s great : Learn about New Zealand’s political history and see the unique architecture of these iconic buildings.
• Pro tip : Even if you don’t take a tour, pass by if you can to check out the unusual architecture and understand why it is nicknamed the Beehive.

5. Weta Workshop

• What to do : Take a guided tour of the Weta Workshop, the five-time Oscar-winning special effects and props company known worldwide. Having worked on over 170 productions, they are most famous for movies like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Avatar.” Unfortunately, no photos are allowed on the tour.
• Why it’s great : More than just the impressive sets, costumes, armour and creatures that they have created, we got an insight into the creative process. This tour far exceeded my expectations.
• Pro-tip : While there is public bus access, with limited time from a cruise, we recommend either reserving a shore excursion that includes Weta Workshop or booking a Weta Workshop tour with pick-up from the city .

6. Mount Victoria Lookout

• What to do : The lookout at the summit of Mount Victoria offers impressive panoramic views of Wellington and its surroundings. If you walk up , you will pass the LOTR film location, but it’s not labelled, so without a guide, you will walk right by.
• Why it’s great : It’s one of the best vantage points in the city, perfect for photography and taking in the scenery.
• Pro tip : If you explore the city on your own, the  number 20 bus will take you up to the top. However, with limited time, I would choose the cable car to Kelburn for my city view.

7. Cuba Street

• What to do : Wander down this lively street known for its bohemian vibe, quirky shops, street performers, and diverse eateries.
• Why it’s great : It’s the heart of Wellington’s creative culture and a great place to soak up the local atmosphere.

8. Take A Lord of the Rings tour

• What to do : If you have seen the films, you already know New Zealand has amazing scenery. The Wellington area has several LOTR film locations and is home to Weta Workshop.
• Why it’s great : Fans know the answer to this.
• Pro-tip : Note that New Zealand required the landscape of filming locations to return to their natural condition. However, a good guide can easily paint the image of the scene and fire up your imagination. The exception is the Hobbiton movie set (accessed from the Tauranga cruise port).
• Check out these two options: Depending on what you want to see in Wellington and how much time you have in port, if you’re are a LOTR fan who came to New Zealand to see Middle earth, we recommend either this full-day tour , or this half-day tour . Both enjoy the Weta workshop tour and the LOTR sights on Mt. Victoria, but the full-day tour adds several additional stops.

9. Zealandia Ecosanctuary

• What to do : A nature lover’s paradise,  Zealandia  is an unspoiled urban eco-sanctuary that is only 10 minutes from central Wellington. Teeming with birdlife, it always feels to me like we are completely rural.
• Why it’s great : It’s a unique opportunity to see rare and endangered species in their natural habitat.
• Pro tip : A free shuttle from either downtown or the top of the cable car line makes Zealandia easily accessible for  daytime visits , but watch your return timing carefully.

10. Wine tasting and wild coast tour

• What to do : Martinborough, one of New Zealand’s and the Southern Hemisphere’s popular wine-growing regions, is a bit over an hour away from the Wellington cruise port via car. Located in the beautiful Wairarapa region, our recommended tour visits 3 wineries and takes 5.5 hours starting at 10 a.m.
• Why it’s great : Amazing scenery, wine.
• How to book: If this is the tour for you, be sure to read the port pick-up instructions. Reserve your Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington here .

Our favourite one day in Wellington itinerary for DIY cruisers

I tend to do the same thing every time I bring someone new to Wellington. Here is my basic day, rewritten to start at either Wellington cruise port. In total, it includes about 6km of street walking, one uphill cable car, plus walking in each venue. It hits many of the highlights and costs only the price of a one-way cable car ticket, which was only $6 the last time we did it.

Note that Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans may want to include a transportation-included tour of Weta Workshop, and leave something out.

• From the port, walk along the beautiful waterfront to Te Papa . The 2km walk there takes us about 25 minutes. Spend an hour at the museum.
• Next, walk along Cable Street to Lampton Quay and follow it to the cable car entrance . Enjoy the architecture, street art and sculpture, and shopping along the way. The 1km walk takes us less than 15 minutes.
• Ride the historic cable car to the last stop and enjoy the view from the top.
• If you have time, take a quick walk through the Cable Car Museum (free to enter) before strolling through the Wellington Botanic Garden . Follow the mosaic flower-marked path downhill to the Rose Garden , pass through the Bolton Street Cemetery , cross the overpass and then out of the gardens on Bowen Street.
• Next, follow Bowen Street for another two blocks to the Parliament buildings . The 2km downhill walk from the entrance to the gardens to Parliament will take about 30 minutes.
• Finally, walk the 1.2km back to the port. It should take about 17 minutes.

Take a Wellington tour: Shore excursions from the Wellington cruise port

While there are plenty of Wellington tours to pick from, these are the three that caught our eye, had great reviews, and hit what we feel are the best options if you only have one day in the capital.

Wellington Scenic Full-Day Tour

If you want a city tour that includes the Weta Workshop tour, this one is for you. This highly rated seven-hour tour includes spectacular views from the summit of Mt Victoria and a few other spots among its 12 stops.

Other highlights include parliament, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, a ride on the cable car, and a visit to Old St Paul’s cathedral. Reserve your full-day tour here .

Half-Day Tour of Wellington

This small-group tour picks up at the dock and includes passing by key sights and stopping at a few. It crams a lot into 3 hours and 20 minutes, including visiting Weta Cave (not a tour)and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral.

You will also enjoy two stunning views, the first after a ride on the Wellington cable car to the top of the city, then panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria. Reserve your half-day tour here .

Wellington Electric Bike Tour

Although electric, there is plenty of pedalling, making this an energetic five-hour tour of the capital city. From the starting point on Queens Wharf, the tour will ride along the waterfront, passing some key sights, including Te Papa. Then, with a power boost, it will head up Mt Victoria for spectacular views.

Note that you must be able to ride a bike on the street and a moderate fitness level is recommended. Reserve your electric bike tour here .

Where to next: What to do at each of the New Zealand cruise ports

If you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss our general tips for first-time visitors to New Zealand or our overview of cruising in New Zealand . We have written more on each cruise port here:

Bay of Island Cruise Port

Auckland Cruise Port

Tauranga Cruise Port (Rotorua, Hobbiton, Mt Maunganui)

Napier Cruise Port

Wellington Cruise Port

Picton Cruise Port

Christchurch Cruise Port (Lyttleton or Akaroa)

Dunedin Cruise Port

Check Cruise Direct for deals on New Zealand and Australia cruises

What to bring when cruising in New Zealand

Good news. We offer several free packing lists , including one for cruise travel. If you are like us and like to have everything you need, but not tons of extra stuff, check out these tips for packing light while cruising .

Don’t miss our best cruise tips

21 picturesque cruise ship ports around the world, repositioning cruises: are they right for you, 7 hidden benefits of cruising that might surprise you, 25 princess cruise tips and tricks you should know, avoid cruise weight gain: indulging onboard without worry, cruise port tips to help you choose the best shore options, more tips and resources for your cruise.

Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too. 

• Cruise : We find great deals at Cruise Direct .
• Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Set up private guides at the ports : Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often hire private guides .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.

LOTR or something else, what will you do at the Wellington cruise port?

Read more on the region . . .

25 Things to Do in Wairarapa: Fall in Love with the Region

Coffee Roasting in Wellington: Behind the Scenes at Mojo

Wellington Photos: 20 Reasons It’s My Favorite NZ Getaway

Interesting Animals at Wellington Zoo, with NZ’s Only Bear

Photo Credits:

All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos .

For more tips … join Explore New Zealand, the country’s largest NZ travel and photography group on Facebook (free).

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

June 20, 2024 at 1:59 pm

I’m hoping to visit New Zealand next year, so this was so helpful! DEFINITELY going to have to do an LOTR tour 🙂

June 17, 2024 at 6:39 am

I’ve never been to Wellington so I would probably want to do a guided tour to make the most of my time – because there’s so much to see and do there.

June 17, 2024 at 6:38 am

This all sounds great. Love a botanical garden, and my hubby and I are big LOTR fans. We have been passively planning a New Zealand trip since we saw the movies.

June 17, 2024 at 6:11 am

I would definitely want to do a LOTR tour when in Wellington. But wouldn’t want to miss Victoria lookout or the national museum.

June 17, 2024 at 6:09 am

I would definitely want to do a LOTR tour when in Wellington, but also would want to visit the national museum.

Lorraine Caputo

June 16, 2024 at 10:58 pm

Thanks for including information on how to get there with public transportation. It’s especially useful for those of us who would be arriving wthout a cruise.

June 16, 2024 at 9:01 pm

I will probably never go cruising in New Zealand, but I am keeping this pinned if and when I make it to New Zealand. Looks beautiful, a city surrounded by nature, definitely very attractive looking.

June 16, 2024 at 8:52 am

Your outlined walking tour looks great–a nice mix of shorter walks with museums, botanic gardens, government buildings.

June 16, 2024 at 6:31 pm

Great tips and info! Thanks for sharing

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Privacy Overview

Wellington cruise season: Tips for businesses and visitors

Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington is the perfect cruise destination. As a compact and walkable city, it allows passengers to see and do a lot in one day.

The opportunity

Between October and April, around 200,000 passengers from more than 100 ships arrive into Wellington Harbour. Most cruise ships berth at Aotea Quay, a five-minute shuttle ride from the city, but some smaller ships also dock at Queen’s Wharf.

Cruise passengers have a small window (usually 8am to 6pm) to explore our great city, so it’s important for us to be ready to help them get the most out of their visit.

Cruise information

For arrival and departure times and Wellington-specific cruise information, visit CentrePort Wellington .

For information on ship sizes, style, passenger and crew numbers, visit New Zealand Cruise Association .

Celeste Fontein

Get ready for cruise

Make the most of the opportunity and help us build Wellington’s reputation as a cruise-friendly destination. Here are some things to keep in mind during the season:

• Understand the demographic — around 60% of Wellington’s cruise passengers are Australian, but different ships may carry different nationalities. During the Christmas period, expect to see more multi-generational families on board.
• Be welcoming — Smile and say “kia ora” to our manuhiri . Say hello and offer directions or give advice on where to buy the best flat white, souvenir, or sweatshirt.
• Connect with the Wellington site — the isite is a key hub for passengers coming off the ship. Invest in brochure display to maximise your exposure, and keep the team updated on any new or special offerings for the cruise market.
• Personalise your welcome — welcome each ship with window signage noting their ship name and perhaps a special offer.
• Passenger pick-up and drop-off — access to the port is limited and passengers will need to catch a cruise shuttle to get from the port to the city. The 2023/24 cruise shuttle stops are yet to be announced.

Wellington City Ambassadors

Each season, a team of passionate volunteers welcomes thousands of cruise passengers to the city. Positioned at key locations throughout the city, they provide information, directions, and a friendly welcome to Wellington.

If you’re passionate about the Wellington region and want to become a Wellington City Ambassador, we’d love to hear from you.

Looking for more?

Transport and accommodation product updates

Find out what transport and accommodation has changed for the 2024/2025 tourism trade season.

Iconic Wellington dining experiences

A foodie paradise, Wellington has plenty of high-quality places to eat. If you’re looking for some of the most iconic, quintessential ‘Wellington’ hospitality experiences, then add these must-do spots to your list.

Restaurant suggestions for groups

Looking for a restaurant suitable for a group? Wellington has a number of dining options that can cater to your client’s needs.

City break itinerary: Two to three nights in Wellington

With plenty to see and do, Wellington is an excellent place for a city break. The city is compact, so your clients can fly in and explore without needing a car, and with a wide range of accommodation options, you will be able to find the perfect spot to meet their needs.

Self-drive itinerary: Two to three nights in Wellington

Let your self-drive clients see the best of Wellington with two nights in the central city and one night in Kāpiti Coast or the Wairarapa region. With a wide range of accommodation options, you will be able to find the perfect spot to meet your client’s needs.

Introducing Wellington

Wellington is a compact city with a compelling mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine, making it the perfect addition to your client’s New Zealand itinerary.

Asian restaurants for FITs and groups

Find information about a range of Asian restaurants in Wellington including their address, phone number, and website.

Travel trade training videos

Join us on a virtual tour of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. These videos are perfect for travel sellers wanting to learn about the vibrant art, food and nature experiences their clients can immerse themselves in.

Activity and experience updates

Find out what activities and experiences have changed for the 2024/25 tourism trade season.

How we can help

Our Tourism Trade team works with a range of local tourism businesses. We can help you understand visitor markets and connect with travel sellers.

Halal visitor guide

Information about accommodation, restaurants and more for halal visitors while in Wellington.

Wellington blurbs for tourism

Here is text about Wellington that you can freely use for your brochures or websites.

Top tips for travel sellers

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re promoting or selling Wellington as a visitor destination.

New Zealand tourism industry information and resources

There are several key players that make up the New Zealand tourism industry. Here’s everything you need to know.

Our Tourism Team is on hand to help you promote and sell Wellington to your clients, start or develop a tourism business or bring a new tourism experience to Wellington.

Cruise recalls robotaxi fleet to resolve federal safety probe

General Motors’ AV company, Cruise, has recalled its fleet of 1,194 self-driving cars to resolve long-standing trouble with unexpected braking. Cruise has shipped software updates to those vehicles that should mitigate the braking problems, and as such, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has closed its nearly two-year probe into the issue.

The recall and the conclusion of the probe takes one worry off Cruise’s plate at a time when the company is under great scrutiny. It is still under active federal investigation from the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission after one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian late last fall. (The pedestrian had been hit by a human-driven car before the Cruise robotaxi ran over her.)

Cruise has gone through a lot of change since then. It lost its permits to operate in California, grounded its entire U.S. fleet, replaced its founder and a number of other leaders and, most recently, has abandoned its purpose-built autonomous vehicle, the Origin. In June, Cruise reached a settlement with California’s Public Utilities Commission in order to take one step closer to resuming its robotaxi service in the state.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened its probe into Cruise’s hard-braking problems in December 2022 . Across the last two years, the regulator says it examined 7,632 hard-braking events, but only identified 10 crashes that Cruise vehicles “contributed to,” four of which involved a “vulnerable road user and resulted in an injury.”

The trouble appears to have happened when Cruise’s autonomous system inaccurately predicted the path of a car ahead of the robotaxi. Hard braking also occurred if other cars were too close to a Cruise AV’s sensors. Cruise’s software updates have improved its robotaxis’ perception, prediction and planning, according to NHTSA. In February, the regulator says, Cruise showed NHTSA that the rate of hard-braking events was “much lower than a human driver.”

This is not the first recall for Cruise’s AVs. In 2023, the company updated its autonomous software after one of its robotaxis crashed into a city bus in San Francisco. The year prior, Cruise recalled its robotaxis after one crashed while making an unprotected left turn .

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Travel to a Victorian past as you stroll by the city's Victorian Gothic buildings. Take the cable car up the mountain for a fantastic view, or grab some sunscreen and head to the beach. Great views abound in Wellington: Journey around the spectacular harbor and enjoy its amazing views. See some of the sites where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed. Shopping opportunities are plentiful, with arts and crafts, jewellery, fine woolens and leather goods on offer.

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American Liberty Christened, Sets Sail on Maiden Cruise

• August 22, 2024

American Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the American Liberty, was christened this week in Newport, the company announced in a press release.

The ceremony took place at Fort Adams State Park, where the 100-passenger ship was docked as part of its inaugural cruise.

The American Liberty’s christening celebration included cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport and Fort Adams State Park, as well as a small group of American’s executives and crewmembers.

Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO of American Cruise Lines, gave remarks as did American Liberty’s godmother, Clare Harington, vice commodore of the New York Yacht Club.

“We are honored to be able to host this event in Fort Adams State Park with our fantastic partners from the community and Sail Newport. We are especially honored to have Vice Commodore Clare Harington of the New York Yacht Club serve as godmother of the American Liberty,” said Robertson.

“We look forward to further developing our longtime partnerships in Newport and many other historic coastal towns along the Eastern Seaboard,” he added.

Brad Read, executive director of Sail Newport, and Lauren Carson, RI state representative, also spoke at the event, both commending American Cruise Lines for its commitment to sustainable cruising and the company’s introduction of new and environmentally friendly small ships.

The musical trio, The Victory Belles, were also on hand to entertain guests with patriotic music as everyone gathered on the ship’s top deck for the official blessing and ceremonial bottle smash, American Cruise Line said.

The christening was followed by a traditional New England Lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park where guests also took part in a discussion and live demonstration of the region’s ancient Native American cooking process.

As the third ship in American Cruise Line’s Coastal Cat series, the American Liberty set sail on its maiden cruise on August 15, 2024 .

Departing from Providence, the sold-out voyage explored destinations in New England, such as New Bedford, Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard.

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Norwegian cruise line holdings ltd. (nyse:nclh) is largely controlled by institutional shareholders who own 67% of the company, key insights.

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

A total of 18 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership

Recent purchases by insiders

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. ( NYSE:NCLH ), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 67% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

See our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings?

Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.

We can see that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.2% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.5% by the third-largest shareholder.

Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 51% of the ownership is controlled by the top 18 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. insiders own under 1% of the company. Keep in mind that it's a big company, and the insiders own US$48m worth of shares. The absolute value might be more important than the proportional share. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 32% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks for example - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about.

Ultimately the future is most important . You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company .

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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New ‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Concept Flight Tested By Silicon Valley-Backed Start-Up

Ares Industries, a new U.S. defense start-up, says it began flight testing of a compact and relatively low-cost anti-ship cruise missile concept within 11 weeks of its founding. This comes amid a new surge in interest in cheaper stand-off munitions within the U.S. military as it shifts its focus to preparing for conflicts with high-end fights, especially one against China in the Pacific , that could require massive expenditure of munitions. A growing consensus is also emerging within America’s armed forces that large established prime contractors will not be able to meet these demands alone and that more attention should be given to what smaller firms have to offer .

Ares announced its flight test and otherwise laid out its company vision in a press release yesterday . The news came via the powerful technology incubator Y Combinator , which is backing the start-up in its first-ever foray into the weapons sector. Founded in 2005, Y Combinator has become a Silicon Valley institution , having raised hundreds of billions of dollars over the years to help launch thousands of companies , including Airbnb, DoorDash, and Reddit.

“Ares is building a new class of anti-ship cruise missiles. We are going to deliver the capabilities that the DoD wants in a form factor that’s 10x smaller and 10x cheaper,” according to the release. “Our missiles will be compatible with existing launch platforms, deliver smaller payloads at high subsonic speeds, and take out ships hundreds of miles away. We’re focusing on ground and ship-launched variants to start but will expand into air-launched versions, as well as versions with extended ranges and different payloads.”

“We spent the summer building multiple prototypes and flight-testing them in the Mojave,” the release adds. “In 11 weeks, we went from starting the company to flight testing with our own design.”

Ares Industries, which builds cruise missiles, launched today out of YC’s current batch. This is YC's first weapons company, and this is an actual photo of their missile. Here is the story of Ares Industries and why we funded them. (1/10) pic.twitter.com/n8KR4bFaaN — Jared Friedman (@snowmaker) August 21, 2024

Details about that flight test and how much the design in question reflects the expected final product are unclear. A rendering the company has put out, seen at the top of this story and below, shows a stealthy-looking munition with a notable chine line that wraps around the front end, as well as pop-out main wings and tail fins. The design’s overall form has some very broad similarities to existing cruise missiles and other similar “air vehicles,” including Lockheed Martin’s air-launched Speed Racer drone .

Ares does not yet appear to have released any hard specifications, current or planned, but says that it is targeting a $300,000 unit cost for its missiles. The company has also drawn a comparison between this goal and current anti-ship cruise missiles that cost around $3 million apiece, which appears to be a reference to Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).

The AGM-158C is currently only in U.S. service in an air-launched configuration, but has also been successfully test-fired from a warship using the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The U.S. military’s current anti-ship cruise missile inventory also includes Tomahawks (including forthcoming types further optimized for the ship-killing role ), Naval Strike Missiles , and Harpoons , but these also all cost between $1 million and $2 million each. The video below from The War Zone ‘s YouTube channel explores these and other naval missile costs in more detail.

Ares’ release also says it is “on track to deliver early working missile systems to our first customers by mid-2025,” but does not elaborate.

The War Zone has reached out for more information about Ares’ work.

“A war with China in the Taiwan Strait would look nothing like what we’ve seen in Ukraine or the Middle East. Wargames within DoD and military experts are in agreement that the most useful weapons in such a conflict would be long-range anti-ship weapons or cruise missiles,” Ares notes in a section titled “Why we’re doing this” in yesterday’s press release. “The United States is not adequately prepared. In a potential conflict, our stockpiles will run out in weeks, and we currently don’t have the industrial capacity to build at a rate that could win a war, much less deter China.”

“When the US invaded Iraq in 2003, we launched 800 Tomahawks,” Jared Friedman, a partner at Y Combinator, wrote separately in a series of posts about Ares on X yesterday. “At today’s production rate, that would take us a decade to replenish.”

The other problem is that anti-ship missiles only come in one size: big. These missiles were designed to blow up huge destroyers but the frigates in the Chinese Navy are much smaller. And now we have drone ships! It makes no sense to take out a $200K drone ship with a $3M… — Jared Friedman (@snowmaker) August 21, 2024

U.S. military operations to protect commercial shipping and friendly warships in and around the Red Sea since October 2023, as well as the defense of Israel against Iran’s missile and drone strikes in April , have given new emphasis to concerns about munitions expenditure rates and the industrial capacity to replenish those stockpiles . The ships assigned to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group notably fired 153 Tomahawks while operating around the Red Sea between November 2023 and June 2024. At the same time, the Navy only has plans to buy 181 of those missiles over the next five years, according to its proposed budget for the upcoming 2025 fiscal cycle.

Furthermore, “recent conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have shown that our weapons are too large, too expensive for the wars of today. Existing anti-ship cruise missiles are low-volume, multi-million dollar, 3,000 lb behemoths meant to take out large cruisers and destroyers,” Ares release continues. “But Chinese shipbuilding capability is far superior to ours, and we can’t make enough anti-ship missiles to counter. In addition, huge missiles aren’t needed to take out the smaller corvettes and frigates that make up the People’s Liberation Army Navy. And $3M missiles make even less sense to take out swarms of $200k small, unmanned surface vessels.”

The War Zone has previously explored in detail the worrying disparity between U.S. and Chinese shipbuilding capacity , as well as the game-changing impact that swarms of uncrewed systems in the air and down below are likely to have on both sides of any future Taiwan crisis. U.S. officials have now publicly said that a key component of plans to help defend the island from an invasion from the mainland revolves around creating a “hellscape” for Chinese forces full of uncrewed aerial systems, boats, and underwater vehicles, as you can read more about here .

Not highlighted in Ares’ release are the ever-growing anti-access and area denial threats U.S. forces will face in any future high-end conflict against a neer-pear competitor, especially one against China in the Pacific. This, in turn, has been driving additional demand for new and improved stand-off strike capabilities like cruise missiles, and more of them. When it comes to air-launched munitions, specifically, interest has also grown in more compact designs that can fit inside internal weapons bays on stealthy aircraft , giving them improved strike capabilities and capacity while still being able to fly in the more low-observable configurations.

In any high-end fight against the People’s Liberation Army, the U.S. military could expect to be tasked with prosecuting tens of thousands of targets across a broad area. At the same time, not all of those targets would require the use of higher-end munitions like LRASM or the members of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family of land-attack cruise missiles from which it is derived.

The U.S. military is not unaware of these issues and multiple branches have been actively exploring new lower-cost cruise missile concepts and related technology developments for years now in response to this reality. Just in June, the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, announced that it had picked four companies to build and demonstrate so-called “Enterprise Test Vehicles” (ETV) that could be stepping stones to cheaper cruise missiles, as well as lower-cost platforms for launching electronic warfare attacks or to act as decoys. Since then, the ETV effort has also emerged as a prime example of how America’s armed forces are also looking to push beyond traditional defense companies to meet its demands not just for new munitions designs, but also the capacity to build those weapons in useful numbers.

A key component of the ETV project is exploring ways “to expand our industrial base into non-traditional suppliers that perhaps have not historically been large-scale munitions producers,” Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force Gen. James Slife explained during a virtual talk that the Air & Space Forces Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies hosted in July. “If the manufacturing techniques we’re able to leverage pan out we’ll be able to take advantage of a bigger part of the American industrial base to produce munitions for us.”

At another Mitchell Institute event in July, Tim Grayson, Special Assistant to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, disclosed that the Air Force is now working on a new Affordable Mass Munition concept, which sounds similar in many respects to the ETV effort.

“People… were thinking about how we do a better job of applying digital engineering and said you know, ‘if we built a software programmable, modular, but recoverable air vehicle that looks a lot like a missile and flies over most of the missile envelope that could greatly accelerate how we do test[ing],” Grayson said. “And it was sort of like chocolate and peanut butter coming together. …this modular thing for testing purposes, it’s very adaptable, one of the modules is a warhead, sure looks like a low-cost cruise missile.”

New, lower-cost, longer-range strike capabilities to engage threats at sea and on land are of growing interest to the U.S. Navy , the U.S. Marine Corps , and the U.S. Army , as well.

In addition, the need to not just accelerate the development of new munitions and other weapon systems, but also their production, all while keeping costs as low as possible, is becoming a more common topic of discussion across the Department of Defense. Currently, it can take years to go from a contract award to the production and delivery of higher-end weapons due to factors like needing to order system-specific high-tech parts.

In addition to cruise missile programs, this has been particularly apparent in relation to uncrewed systems. The Pentagon’s Replicator initiative , which has a goal of helping America’s armed forces field thousands of uncrewed systems with autonomous capabilities in 2025, is a prime example of this growing trend.

Helping to support foreign partners faced with similar demands for affordable stand-off strike capacity, as well as leveraging industrial capacity in those countries to help meet U.S. needs, are part of this equation, too. It emerged in July that the Air Force’s Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) effort is focused primarily on delivering that capability – a precision air-launched 500-pound-class weapon with a projected range of around 250 miles – to Ukraine .

Defense contractors, large and small, are clearly taking note. Anduril, which has become something of a poster child for new entrants into the U.S. defense sector, unveiled plans for a novel “hyperscale” production facility and accompanying manifesto about its vision for the future when it comes to affordable and scalable manufacturing earlier this month, as you can learn more about here .

“More More More Production” poster Anduril Industries, 2024 pic.twitter.com/daf2OIkx27 — Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) August 20, 2024

Much remains to be learned about Ares Industries’ new cruise missile and the company’s broader plans. At the same time, it reflects a clear and still growing demand signal from the U.S. military for new lower-cost stand-off strike capacities, as well as interest in expanding the available industrial base to produce those munitions at scale.

Together with the backing from Y Combinator, Ares’ arrival on the scene looks to be a sign of broader things to come in the U.S. defense sector.

Contact the author: [email protected]

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