High seas for Santa

Monday, 16 August 2004, 1:36 pm
Press Release: Pead PR

News release
August 16, 2004

High seas for Santa

Busy Santa will perform a triple funnel feat in the South Pacific this year - the first time P&O Cruises has offered three Christmas cruises in Australasia.

The jolly man in the red suit will drop down the funnels of popular Pacific Sky, newcomer Pacific Sun and P&O Cruises luxurious Pacific Princess during special festive cruises sailing from Sydney and Brisbane.

The three liners will be decked from bow to stern with tinsel and decorated trees while passengers will be treated to traditional Christmas feasts - with all the trimmings - carols by candlelight, visits by Santa, presents for the kids and inter-denominational Christmas services.

But the biggest treat of all for passengers is they can leave the cooking and washing up to the hundreds of 'Santa's helpers' that make-up the ships' crews.

P&O Cruises' latest year-round South Pacific liner, the 1,900-passenger Pacific Sun, will sail from Sydney on her maiden 'Downunder' Christmas cruise on December 17. The 10-night itinerary incorporates five destinations in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, including the new port of Emerald Bay.

The 1,550-passenger Pacific Sky will sail from her new base in Brisbane on December 18 on an exotic 11-night Christmas cruise bound for six ports in Vanuatu and New Caledonia, including the ex-cannibal island of Wala and beautiful Champagne Bay.

Meanwhile, P&O Cruises' deluxe boutique liner, Pacific Princess, will pamper her 680 passengers on a 10-night Christmas cruise to tropical North Queensland, departing Sydney on December 18. The voyage includes the destinations of Port Douglas and the remote Coral Sea bird sanctuary of Willis Island.

Until August 31, P&O Cruises is offering special savings of up to 25 per cent on Christmas cruises aboard sisters Pacific Sky and Pacific Sun.

The discounts mean the 11-night Coral Christmas cruise package aboard Pacific Sky from Brisbane is now available from NZ$2225 a person (in a complete quad cabin) that includes return airfares from Auckland, Wellington or Brisbane and return Brisbane port transfers. The 10-night Christmas Spirit cruise aboard Pacific Sun from Sydney is now available from NZ$1,839 a person (complete quad cabin) cruise only. There are also special discounts for groups and singles on Pacific Sky and Pacific Sun.

Meanwhile, the indulgent 10-night Christmas cruise on Pacific Princess is available from NZ$2,842 a person twin share (complete twin cabin) cruise only.

Details are available through travel agents, by calling P&O Cruises on 0800 95 12 00 or visiting http://www.pocruises.co.nz/ .

ends

Issued for P&O Cruises by Pead PR

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