Sparky, the all-electric tug, assists Celebrity Eclipse as it docks in Auckland
After an absence of 946 days due to the country’s COVID-19 lockdown, Celebrity Cruises made a return to Auckland on Tuesday with its 2,850-passenger Celebrity Eclipse.
All-electric tug
The ship, which carries a crew of 1,250, docked at the city’s Princes Wharf with the assistance of ‘Sparky,’ billed as the world’s first full-sized all-electric harbour tug boat.
Celebrity Eclipse, which sailed from Vancouver to Hawaii and French Polynesia on September 22, will visit Bay of Islands on Wednesday, before heading to Sydney where it will arrive Saturday.
Down Under season
The vessel will then undertake an extended season of cruises, visiting New Zealand and the South Pacific, before departing Sydney on April 22 for the return voyage to Vancouver.
Huge milestone
‘Today is a huge milestone for Celebrity Cruises and the local Auckland community with Celebrity Eclipse officially making her debut in New Zealand waters,’ said Celebrity Cruises VP and MD Australia, New Zealand and APAC, Tim Jones.
Jones said the company is ‘extremely grateful’ for the support it has received from valued travel partners and guests for the upcoming Australia and New Zealand season.
