Akaroa is one of three locations which has made it into the top five cruise destinations in Australia and New Zealand.

It came in third, just ahead of Wellington and Tauranga in the annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice awards.

ChristchurchNZ Destination manager Caroline Blanchfield says it's not the first time Akaroa has won an award.

"We are always consistently in the top three, so it really is a testament to the community, and their welcoming to the cruise passengers."

Akaroa, along with Lyttelton's new cruise ship berth, will cement Christchurch's position as a premiere cruise destination, with work already underway on Lyttelton's new purpose built cruise ship berth.

"Lyttelton is going to accommodate those ships Akaroa can't have like the Oasis of the Sea, which can put 5000 passengers onto the wharf in an hour and a half, so both Lyttelton and Christchurch will be buzzing."

It is hoped that Lyttelton will soon join Akaroa in accommodating the increase of international cruise passengers to the Canterbury region.