Lyttelton is the principal cruise gateway for Christchurch and Canterbury. Its dedicated Cruise Berth was completed in November 2020 and is described by Lyttelton Port Company as New Zealand's first purpose-built cruise ship facility.
The berth itself measures 148m long by 10m wide, but its mooring arrangement allows much larger ships alongside. LPC publishes a maximum vessel length of 362m and maximum vessel draft of 9.5m.
The main navigation channel is maintained to 13.3m at chart datum, while the outer turning basin is approximately 615m wide. Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 500GT or 40m LOA unless an exemption applies, and LPC uses a Dynamic Under Keel Clearance system.
There is no independent walk-off access through the secure working port. Dedicated cruise-day shuttles carry passengers to Lyttelton township and central Christchurch, which LPC describes as approximately a 20-minute drive away.
The wider port contains coal, container, general-cargo, cement and oil/LPG facilities. None have been reclassified as cruise berths. Te Ana Marina's nearly 200 recreational berths have also survived the Deck7 inspection intact.