Ovation of the Seas and Celebrity Edge, with a potential 8000 passengers and 3000 crew, reached Dunedin on Tuesday.
To deal with the influx of people, 14 extra buses were arranged by the Otago Regional Council and retailers were told to plan for additional demand.
Brad Cunningham and Alice Walsh from Ovation of the Seas and said the ship was "busy", as New Zealand was a popular destination.
The couple, from Sydney, were on an end-of-year holiday.
"We’ve enjoyed Dunedin so far.
"The weather is not perfect, but at least it’s not raining," Mr Cunningham said.
Both agreed the Dunedin Railway Station had been their favourite site of the day.
Ms Walsh said it was a lovely building.
"Definitely something that we wanted to get a good look at while we’re here."
Retailers who the Otago Daily Times spoke to all shared a similar view — it was busy.
Both ships departed the same day they arrived.
