Last chance to cruise on the giant Star Princess

30 September 2003

Last chance to cruise on the giant Star Princess in New Zealand

P&O Cruises is offering New Zealanders a final chance to sail on one of the world's biggest moving objects - the mega liner Star Princess - when she makes her maiden visit to New Zealand this November.

An unprecedented bookings splurge from Americans, Australians and New Zealanders means the spectacular $1 billion cruise ship will carry more almost 18,000 passengers during a series of cruises in Australasia between November and February 2004.

The figure includes a record 4500 Australasians - more than double the number of locals on any previous visiting Princess Cruises liner.

Cabins are still available on just two of Star Princess' cruises:

- A 14-night voyage from Auckland to Sydney on January 3. Fares start from $3,330 per person

- An exotic, great value 18-night cruise from Sydney on Valentine's Day, to Bangkok via Bali, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Fares start from $3,288 per person

Twice as big as LA's Rose Bowl and the legendary Titanic, three times bigger than Athens' Parthenon temple and equivalent in size to 280 jumbo jets, Star Princess will sail into the history books when she arrives in Tauranga on November 22. Her Tauranga arrival will mark the first of 23 calls to five New Zealand ports during a summer season of four cruises in our waters.

Far bigger than any liner to have sailed to New Zealand before, the luxurious 109,000-ton Star Princess will visit Auckland four times during her season. She will also make six visits to Dunedin (from December 4), six to Christchurch (from December 5), six to Wellington (from December 6) and one to Tauranga (November 22). Star Princess will also cruise through Fjordland National Park on six occasions from December 3.

"New Zealand has never seen anything like Star Princess - she will turn heads everywhere she goes," says P&O Cruises Australia Managing Director Gavin Smith.

"Clearly this massive liner has already captured the imagination of a record number of New Zealander's who have been quick to take advantage of our great value fares so they can experience the style and comfort of big-ship cruising close to home," Mr Smith said.

Carrying 2,600 passengers and 1,100 crew and too big to fit under the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Star Princess features a Star Trek-like bridge and a spectacular glass-walled nightclub suspended high above the ship like a sports car spoiler.

The luxurious Star Princess also has:

· a wedding chapel with a web-cam allowing friends and family to watch the ceremony live from home;

· nine restaurants and cafes serving 45,000 dishes a day;

· 12 bars and lounges plus an internet café and a casino;

· art gallery;

· nine-hole putting course;

· 1,300 cabins including 710 with private balconies; and,

· a wrap-around promenade that enables passengers to visit the tip of the bow, Titanic-style

Bookings and cruise brochures are available from travel agents or by calling the P&O Cruises freephone on 0800 441 766 or by visiting the company's website at www.pocruises.co.nz .

ends

Issued for P&O Cruises by Pead PR

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