Extra buses are being put on in Dunedin today -- as thousands of cruise ship passengers converge on the southern city

The Ovation of the Seas, Carnival Splendor and National Geographic Orion are all arriving into Port Chalmers, on the second day of the port's cruise ship season.

Cruise ships provide a much-needed economic boost to the region, but also put pressure on bus services into the city.

Dunedin correspondent Callum Proctor says nine extra services are being put on between Port Chalmers and the city through the course of today.

He says the council is also urging locals to take an earlier or later bus today, if they can.