P&O Cruises boosts New Zealand sailings

Tuesday 20 July, 2004

P&O Cruises boosts New Zealand sailings

The 2005 New Zealand cruise season promises to be even bigger than 2004 with a record eight cruises to and from Auckland next winter on P&O Cruises' Pacific Sky.

In addition, the number of available berths on P&O Cruises ships based in Australasia will more than double with the October arrival of newcomer Pacific Sun, sister ship to Pacific Sky.

P&O Cruises' business development manager Shannon Currie said the expansion of the New Zealand cruise season reflected strong demand from New Zealanders for cruises from Auckland.

"When this year's record NZ season ends in August, nearly 60,000 passengers will have spent an estimated $43 million in Auckland with visitor numbers for 2003-04 up 5,000 [1] on last year. P&O Cruises and its' sister line Princess Cruises were the major contributor to these figures.

"New Zealanders have jumped at the chance to cruise on Pacific Sky from Auckland this year with more than 7,000 passengers booked on the ship's five cruises to and from Auckland.

"This demand has prompted P&O Cruises to extend next year's NZ cruise season to offer an unprecedented eight sailings to and from Auckland," Mr Currie said.

P&O Cruises has just released its new Take Me Away New Zealand brochure detailing Pacific Sky's season of cruises from Auckland to the South Pacific between June and August 2005.

The cruises range between eight and 13 nights and include two school holiday sailings for the first time ever. The brochure also details two four-night repositioning cruises on Pacific Sky as she sails between Auckland and Brisbane at the beginning and end of her New Zealand season.

Mr Currie says Pacific Sky's 2005 New Zealand programme also takes in new ports.

"Pacific Sky is a favourite of Kiwi travellers and with the growth in cruising we are very pleased to be able to offer new ports of call. These include Apia in Samoa, Luganville in Vanuatu and the aptly-named Emerald Bay in New Caledonia.
"There's no doubt it's going to be our biggest year in New Zealand by far. With two school holiday departures from here, cruising makes great sense for a winter family getaway especially when you consider all main meals and entertainment are included in the fare."

P&O Cruises has also released the new bumper 68-page Australasian brochure - the biggest ever produced by the company. It details cruises from two to 13 nights to the South Pacific and tropical Queensland between September 2004 and October 2005 on both Pacific Sky and newcomer Pacific Sun.

The new programme sees P&O Cruises visit an unprecedented 25 destinations - a 40 per cent increase over last year - with Pacific Sky sailing from her new base in Brisbane and Pacific Sun, operating from Sydney.

To mark the release of the full 2004-05 cruise line-up, P&O Cruises is offering 20 per cent Funside Saver discounts for bookings made before October 31, 2004.

Funside Saver fares on a seven-night cruise start from NZ$1095 per person in a four-person cabin and from NZ$1785 per person in a twin cabin, including all main meals and entertainment (conditions apply).

Fares include breakfast, full buffet lunch, five course dinners and theme nights as well as access to the ships' many bars and lounges. There's a variety of live entertainment every night aboard ship and each cabin has its own steward.

The 46,000-ton Pacific Sky features three pools, a health spa, gym, ship-top jogging track, show lounge, cinema, casino, internet centre, nightclub, library, 24-hour pizzeria and a children's centre.

Details on the new, Funshine four berth fares are available through travel agents or P&O Cruises on 0800 44 17 66 or visit www.pocruises.co.nz

ENDS

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