The cruise ship, with its 1450 passengers and 600 crew, will visit the island, which has a population of 400, on December 29 at 8am.
Cruise New Zealand chief executive Craig Harris, of Auckland, confirmed the 61,214-tonne Volendam was the largest cruise ship to visit Stewart Island.
Mr Harris said he was confident the island would cope with the large influx of visitors, as the people behind the Holland America Line vessel had "done their research".
"They are not expecting New York."
Bird-watching tours on Ulva Island, and island-cruise tours, had been promoted to passengers as relaxed days out, and had proven extremely popular.
Off-loading the passengers would be by "ship tender" or lifeboat, he said.
Mr Harris said the famed South Seas Hotel was likely to be a big attraction for some of the estimated 900 people who will visit the island.
"I think they could drink it dry."
When told of the expected influx of thirsty passengers, a hotel staff member said "We might need to order some more beer".
Venture Southland tourism marketing co-ordinator Kerryn Smith said tourism operators and restaurants had been briefed about the visit and would have extra staff and supplies available.
Stewart Island Promotion chairman Jon Spraggon said the visit would be a huge boost for the economy.
"We haven't seen ships with these numbers before, so it will be a great challenge for us all on the island, but everyone is as prepared as they can be for the event."
