New Zealand’s economy is set to receive a big boost this summer courtesy of a busier cruise season.

Carnival Australia will be making 394 calls in 12 New Zealand ports, an increase of 56% on last season.

This increase in numbers is expected to translate to a $200 million gain for the New Zealand economy.

But the biggest benefits will be felt in smaller ports with three ports receiving cruise ships for the first time. Individual visits are likely to be worth an average of $500,000 to individual ports.

Gisborne and New Plymouth will each see 1440 passengers when Holland America Line’s (HAL) Volendam visits their shores.

The Volendam and Zaandam, both HAL vessels, will visit the small Stewart Island port of Oban twice each during the season giving the small port four visits during its season debut.

When the Volendam visits Oban with it’s 1440 passengers, there will be more visitors then locals in the small town with a population of 400.

Picton receives 10 calls instead of one this season and Wellington has the largest increase of 69% with 54 calls.

Akaroa is perhaps the biggest winner this year as it replaces Lyttleton as the major port in the Canterbury region and will receive 51 visits from 12 vessels.

The largest vessel in Carnival Australia’s fleet is the Diamond Princess that carries 2670 passengers and any visits it make will have a Midas touch affect on the ports it visits.