Princess Cruises Leads the Way in New Zealand

Princess Cruises is preparing for another bumper season in New Zealand this summer, with latest figures confirming it’s the cruise line of choice for one in two Australians taking a transTasman voyage.

Offering roundtrip cruises to New Zealand on four ships sailing from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, the cruise line will make 210 visits to North and South Island ports in 2014, with the number rising by almost 10 per cent to reach 230 in 2015.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the cruise line’s New Zealand holidays had become a firm favourite with Australians over recent years.  

According to the latest Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia figures, a record 98,914 Australians took a cruise to New Zealand in 2013.  Mr Allison said the cruise line’s data revealed that half these passengers travelled with Princess Cruises.

“It’s a fantastic result and it shows that Australians really love Princess Cruises’ New Zealand itineraries as well as our great onboard product which features local cultural offerings and cuisine,” Mr Allison said.

The 2014-15 season will see Sun Princess and Diamond Princess sailing from Sydney, Sea Princess cruising from Brisbane and Dawn Princess from Melbourne.  Between them, the four ships will offer more than 30 New Zealand cruises, with fares starting from $1499* per person twin share for a roundtrip cruise on Sea Princess or Dawn Princess visiting seven ports.   

Mr Allison said the key reasons holidaymakers chose to holiday on Princess Cruises’ voyages to New Zealand included:

1. Great ports:  From the spectacular Bay of Islands in the north to scenic cruising through the remote Fiordland in the south, every roundtrip Princess Cruises’ itinerary features visits to seven or eight different ports across the north and south island.

2. Ease of travel: With more than 30 departures from three different homeports, Princess Cruises offers the easiest way to see New Zealand from top to toe without getting on a plane or hiring a car.

3. The onboard experience: Princess Cruises has tailored its New Zealand cruises so that guests experience the Kiwi touch from the moment they board. Menus and drink selections include plenty of New Zealand offerings, from local lamb to premium wines, while guests can enjoy New Zealand movies, Maori dances and cultural talks during their cruise.

4. Destination experts: Princess Cruises’ focus on New Zealand means it offers a great range of shore tours in each port which reflect its guests’ interests from sea kayaking to winery visits.

5. Value for money: With transport, accommodation, main meals and onboard activities included, a New Zealand cruise provides a great value way to see the land of the long white cloud.

“With its distinct culture and spectacular landscapes, which are vastly different to Australia’s, New Zealand makes for a great holiday and we’re pleased to be taking so many Australian cruisers there each year,” Mr Allison said.

For more information on Princess Cruises to New Zealand call 13 24 88, visit www.princess.com  or see a travel agent.

*Subject to availability, conditions apply. Upgrades to balcony staterooms are available from $49 pp during July and August 2014.

Information supplied by : Princess Cruises.

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