Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

New Zealand Farewells Pacific Pearl at end of Record Season

June 23, 2016

New Zealand Farewells Pacific Pearl at end of Record Season


P&O Cruises’ record New Zealand season has come to a close, with Pacific Pearl setting sail for Sydney today following an unprecedented five-month Auckland deployment.

To mark her transition back to Australia, Pacific Pearl’s four-day cruise across the Tasman will feature a range of friendly Aussie versus Kiwi battles as well as a “Crossing The Line” ceremony as the ship passes from New Zealand to Australian waters.

Onboard antipodean challenges will include a jandal-throwing competition (that’s thong-throwing to Australians), touch footy, deck tug-of-war and a Marmite versus Vegemite bake-off, while guests of all nationalities will be encouraged to join in plans to take the largest selfie at sea.

During P&O’s biggest ever New Zealand season, Pacific Pearl has carried more than 34,000 guests on 20 cruises, contributing close to $20 million to the economy in guest and crew expenditure, supplies and port charges.

Regional visits have also injected hundreds of thousands of dollars to local economies, with Pacific Pearl’s season including a special 10-night circumnavigation of New Zealand, featuring the cruise line’s maiden call to Stewart Island, as well as a themed cruise to Napier’s world-famous Art Deco festival.

Pacific Pearl also chalked up a maiden call to the Cook Islands and completed a colossal Running Man challenge at sea, involving every crew member (including the captain).

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Returning to Auckland for its final two-month season in February next year, Pacific Pearl will be replaced by the larger Pacific Jewel for a second New Zealand season from September until October 2017.

The move to include an extra season next year reasserts P&O’s commitment to the local market, and is a direct response to the growing demand for cruising by New Zealanders.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said P&O was thrilled with Pacific Pearl’s success this season.

“There’s no question that our increased presence in New Zealand this year has helped build Kiwis’ appetite for cruising so we look forward to another big year in local waters in 2017,” Mr Myrmell.

For more information and 2017 bookings, please see a licensed travel agent, visit pocruises.co.nz or call 0800 780 716.

ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.