The vessel left in its wake a satisfied local tourism industry about to prepare for another record season.
A total of 117 vessels were scheduled this season, of which four were cancelled because of weather-related issues.
They carried about 230,000 passengers in total.
Next season will ramp that up further, with 130 cruise ships booked, carrying close to 300,000 passengers.
Last season there were 89 ships carrying 180,000 passengers.
Dunedin iSite visitor centre manager Louise van de Vlierd said the season had gone well, without long queues for transport or other issues that have dogged the season in the past.
That was down to plenty of planning.
"We were lucky the results of that planning paid off.
"We were prepared, and that's great."
Otago Peninsula Trust marketing manager Sophie Barker also said the season had been "great".
"I guess it's all the work we've put in over all the years to make things go smoothly.
"I think that's a fantastic thing."
The city was coping with the increase in numbers "with scarcely a murmur".
The numbers had translated to more tickets sold at the trust's operations, which include the Royal Albatross Centre.
Larnach Castle marketing and public relations manager Deborah Price said the castle had experienced its best cruise ship season yet.
The "sheer volume of ships" and plenty of good weather were behind that.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours owner Neil Harraway said the Port Otago cruise facility was "working really well".
"It was all good from our point of view."
The numbers attracted to his operation did not increase to the same extent as cruise passenger numbers had, but in the past it had taken time for numbers using his operation to match passenger increases.
"I'm hoping that the step-up will be more next year."
Olveston manager Bronwyn Simes said visitor numbers had been steadier than last year, with fewer peaks and troughs.
"There's obviously been more ships and fewer cancellations, so we've done quite well, thank you."
An annual debriefing for the industry is planned for May 7.
The season
Number of cruise ship visits
2017-18 season: 89
2018-19: 113
(four cancelled due to weather).
Next season (starting October 1): 130
