Content Section

P&O Cruises Celebrates First New Zealand Circumnavigation and Maiden Call to Stewart Island

P&OCruises’ Pacific Pearl will sail into history today as she sets off on thecruise line’s first circumnavigation of New Zealand, featuring a maiden call toStewart Island.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

The10-night cruise is expected to inject more than $3 million into the localeconomy as Pacific Pearl calls at Napier, Wellington, Christchurch (Akaroa),Picton and Stewart Island, with her 1800 guests also enjoying scenic cruisingthrough Fiordland’s stunning landscapes.

PacificPearl’s voyage around New Zealand is one of the highlights of her recordfive-month season of cruises from Auckland, which commenced early February andwill run through to June.

P&OCruises President Sture Myrmell said the circumnavigation offered a great way forNew Zealanders to explore their backyard, while generating significant returnsfor the economy.

“Notonly will guests and crew be busy spending money in each port, P&O isbuying fresh produce from local suppliers throughout Pacific Pearl’s NewZealand season, injecting more money into the local community,” Mr Myrmellsaid.

“Eachcruise requires significant quantities of food - for example on a 10-day cruisefor guests and crew the ship will take on about 300kgs of fresh local fish, 3000dozen eggs and around 30,000kg of fruits and vegetables.”

Intotal, Pacific Pearl will visit 11 different New Zealand ports during theseason, which features 20 cruises to New Zealand and South Pacificdestinations.

MrMyrmell said each cruise ship turnaround in Auckland was estimated to deliverclose to $1 million to the local economy in passenger accommodation, dining,transport and shopping as well as crew expenditure, supplies and port charges.

Meanwhilevisits to regional cities can contribute up to $500,000 in passenger and crewspending.

Aftersailing from Auckland this afternoon/evening, Pacific Pearl will visit Napieron 3 March, Wellington on 4 March, Akaroa on 5 March, Picton on 9 March andwill make her maiden call to Stewart Island on 6 March. Guests will spend theday on the island exploring its natural beauty and stunning features on aseries of different tours.

Other itineraries on offer during the season include:

·Athree-night Food & Wine themed cruise sailing from Auckland on June 10,2016, priced from NZ$399* per personquad share

·A10-night South Pacific roundtrip cruise from Auckland, departing May 16, 2016with visits to Santo, Pentecost, Vila and Mystery Island priced from NZ$899*per person quad share

For more information and bookings seea licensed travel agent, visit pocruises.co.nz or call 0800 780 716.

Forfurther media enquiries, please contact:
Chloe Delamore, Campbell + Co, chloe@campbellandco.nz, 09 368 5100

Kaleidoscope powered