Delegates for the 2018 APEC summit are to be housed on cruise liners, due to Papua New Guinea's lack of accommodation.

"We are bringing in three cruise ships because we don't have enough hotel rooms," APEC 2018 chief executive officer Chris Hawkins told local media Friday.

"We knew from the start when the Prime Minister announced that we would host APEC in 2013, that planning would have to begin early."

"They are floating hotels that will make up the gap that we will have in terms of how many hotel rooms are required."

The small nation and its capital city, Port Moresby, was also struggling to find a large enough venue to host the opening night's gala dinner, to deal with the vast contingency of officials.

A new Hilton Hotel Complex is currently under construction for the proceedings and is due for completion in late 2017.

"The gala dinner that will be seen around the world is a big part of APEC," Hawkins said.

"All leaders take part in this event where they enjoy a presentation that will showcase all parts of the nation."