A forecast of high winds triggered the last-minute cancellation of the 4000-passenger Ovation of the Seas due in Dunedin yesterday morning.
The ship was one of three scheduled to arrive yesterday on the city’s biggest day of the cruise season this year but did not enter the harbour.
The 3000-passenger Carnival Splendor and the 100-passenger National Geographic Orion did dock, and passengers who spoke to the Otago Daily Times said they enjoyed their brief stay in Dunedin.
Paula Goldmann, of Canada, said the buildings were "stunning" and the wet weather did not affect her too much.
Kissye Covik, also of Canada, said she enjoyed the architecture, particularly the railway station building.
"And the people here are so very friendly. We would come back in an instant," she said.
Maria, from Sydney, was impressed by the "beautiful art gallery" and the polite atmosphere.
It was her first time visiting Dunedin, although she had visited New Zealand before.
Mackies Hotel publican Wayne Sefton said there had been a few "extra faces".
"But every extra face helps."
Mr Sefton said the Port Chalmers Four Square Supermarket looked like it was especially busy with visitors yesterday.
"It looked like people were buying chocolate by the trolley-load," he said.
Digiart and Design Port Chalmers co-owner Anne Tamati said her shop had done a roaring trade, as passengers flocked to buy souvenirs.
"When I came into work, I thought it was going to be a quiet day because of the weather. It’s actually been the opposite.
"People just wanted to buy anything with New Zealand on it."
Union Co Cafe owner Pete Cole said it was still "flat out" despite one of the cruise ships not disembarking yesterday.
"People weren’t too afraid to walk about in the rain," he said.
