Picton is all set to razzle dazzle the Barmy Army.

The town will be central to the followers of the British and Irish Lions tour with the cruise liner Pacific Sun due to bring 1200 visitors to the Port of Picton on Monday, June 27.

The ship is scheduled to arrive in the port at 8am but, unlike most visiting cruise liners, will stay overnight, leaving at 7am the following morning.

This extra time in port is sure to benefit retail businesses, restaurants, cafes and bars.

To add to this will be the spin-off from the huge number of campervans that will pass through the town one way or the other during the Lions tour.

Port Marlborough manager passenger and ferry services Carmen Young said 1800 campervans, an average of about 350 a day were booked on Interisland Line and Strait Shipping ferries between June 26 and July 1 and 2.

Shortly after their arrival in Picton, cruise liner passengers are scheduled to travel to the Cloudy Bay winery in Jacksons Rd but they are expected to return to Picton between 1pm and 3pm.

So, while the afternoon and evening are still young, Picton will benefit from their visit making it essential that the town is painted red and white and, of course, black.

Port Marlborough is backing Beryl Karena to coordinate ideas and activities aimed at helping the town "dress up" for the occasion.

Beryl said that already Picton Sounds Paradise had come to the party providing black, and red and white heavy duty balloons for High and Wellington Sts.

She said Destination Marlborough was sponsoring a prize for best-dressed window in the CBD and musicians were expressing interest in playing throughout the town during the afternoon.

The Little Theatre will provide a warm inviting venue for stalls selling New Zealand made handcrafts during the afternoon of the Pacific Sun's visit with money to go towards the Picton Toy Library.