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Cockatoo Takes a Cruise: As Family Prepares for Australian Cruise Vacation Pet Bird Escapes from Home – Lands on Different Cruise Ship and Sails to New Zealand
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 6, 2018) –Having flown the coop for a cruise adventure of her own, Harri the stowawaygalah, a rose-breasted female cockatoo native to Australia, has been returnedto her family by Princess Cruises forajoy-filled reunion at the Portside Cruise Terminal in Brisbane.
The adventure all started as Michelle andBrett Cozzi along with four-year-old daughter Georgia were packing for a cruisevacation. The Cozzi's beloved bird, Harri, was accidentally set free from hercage and flew away from the suburban town of Nundah, Queensland, Australia andpresumed never to be seen again. The family was devastated, but little did theyknow, Harri was about to take a cruise vacation of her own.
Sea Princess, one of PrincessCruises 17 ships, was sailing the Tasman Sea when crew members came across thebeautiful bird. Officers had Harri scanned for a microchip, and discovered thebird was family pet. The officers made her an honorary crew member with her ownlaminated crew identification card. Harri enjoyed the remainder of her cruisevacation on Sea Princess complete with her own stateroom, daily meals andworld-class service.
Meanwhile, as the Cozzi family was enjoyingtheir cruise on sister line P&O's Pacific Aria off Queensland, word wasreceived from Australian Agriculture Department officials that Harri had beenfound, and to the entire family's shock, was on her own cruise adventure to NewZealand.
Once back on land and awaiting her return,the Cozzi family learned of Harri's fantastic journey. During her 14-day New Zealandcruise odyssey, Sea Princess Environmental Officer Tibor Filipovic was Harri'sfriendly onboard guardian under the watchful eye of the ship's Master, PrincessCruises Commodore Giuseppe Romano, as they followed the strict biosecurityguidelines that enabled fully fledged Australian bird citizen Harri to returnhome.
Commodore Romano and Environmental OfficerFilipovic said they were pleased to be able to care for Harri during her stayon Sea Princess, and looked forward to returning her to her Brisbane family,despite the crew who has grown fond of their Aussie shipmate.
"The entire ship's company has come to loveHarri and she has been a very good shipmate and no trouble at all," CommodoreRomano said. "But we could also see that Harri was missing her human family, soit was a great pleasure to be able to reunite them."
As the journey came to an end, the Cozzifamily delivered Harri's birdcage to the terminal where Sea Princess docked,and then waited patiently while Harri received a pre-disembarkation veterinarycheck, which, as expected, she passed with flying colors.
"We are very excited to have Harri homebecause she is a much loved member and indispensable part of our family,"Michelle Cozzi said. "We'd hoped for her safe return but after Harri had beengone for a few days, it wasn't looking good. It was amazing to discover she hadbeen found on another cruise ship. It was just the best news possible."
Harri's return is the result of a jointeffort by Princess Cruises, the Sea Princess crew, and government authoritieson both sides of the Tasman Sea. The groups worked together to ensurebiosecurity requirements were strictly followed so that Harri could comehome.
"We are pleased to contribute to such apositive outcome in a story that has captured the imagination of so many peoplehere and around the world," said Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises senior vicepresident."The Sea Princess team set the scene for today's family reunionwith the professional way in which they responded to Harri's discovery on theirship."
"It has also been a great pleasure to workcooperatively with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and theAustralian Department of Agriculture to happily resolve Harri's stowawayadventure."
This story goes to show that not only people‘flock' to Princess Cruises.
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About Princess Cruises:
One of thebest-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tourcompany operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships renowned for theirinnovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment andamenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional customer service. Arecognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries two million guestseach year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150itineraries ranging in length from three to 111 days. The company is part ofCarnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).
Newsroom:
Additionalmedia information is available at princess.com/news.
For further information contact:
Negin Kamali,661-753-1539, nkamali@princesscruises.com
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