Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands Photo: RNZI
The manager of the Cook Islands Ports Authority, Bim Tou, says bad weather stopping cruise ships from dropping off tourists is nothing new.
Last year Rarotonga and Aitutaki had eight cruise ships which were unable to unload hundreds of people due to high swells, or undesirable conditions.
Mr Tou said some businesses rely on tourists for income, but cyclones were just a reality of living in the Pacific.
"The cruise ship season in the south Pacific is also our cyclone season," said Mr Tou.
"We don't make those final calls when the cruise ship arrives in front of our harbour, and that's a challenge for all of us small island countries in the Pacific are faced with."
Bim Tou said 26 ships were due to arrive in the region this season.
