Pacific Pearl Excitement Translates Into Bookings

Pacific Pearl Excitement Translates Into Bookings

P&O Cruises' superliner Pacific Pearl, due to join the fleet in December, is already breaking sales records as anticipation builds around her arrival in Auckland with a host of exciting onboard features.

In a recent four-week period, New Zealand cruise bookings were 30% higher than for the corresponding four-week period last year. And, in the week Pacific Pearl’s new features were announced -- including a massive top deck entertainment screen – cruise bookings were 70% higher than for the corresponding week last year.

P&O Cruises' manager in New Zealand, Shannon Currie, says Pacific Pearl cruise bookings remain available but the early demand is “an indication of the growing excitement about her impending arrival in Auckland and the growth of the New Zealand cruise market.

Shannon says: “It is also evidence of the way travel agents have embraced Pacific Pearl as a major sales opportunity to capitalise on the high level of interest in the latest addition to the P&O Cruises’ fleet. We really appreciate the trade’s fantastic support.

"Having Pacific Pearl based in Auckland will make cruising even more accessible to New Zealanders with greater choice of cruises and all the enjoyment of Pacific Pearl’s wonderful features.

“Just to name a few, there is the top deck ‘Big Screen’ to enjoy great movies and a host of on-screen presentations along with the swim-up bar in one of Pacific Pearl’s two pools, another first on a P&O Cruises’ ship, and, of course, a Salt Grill Restaurant by Luke Mangan."

Shannon says sales across the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 cruise schedules are going very well with some bookings being made 14-months in advance, which is quite unprecedented.

"Customers don't usually plan that far ahead for cruises, so it demonstrates the huge interest that Pacific Pearl is already generating in the market."

Prior to her arrival in New Zealand, Pacific Pearl will undergo a major refurbishment in Singapore including installation of the ‘Big Screen’ stretching seven metres wide and four metres high – the first entertainment screen on a P&O Cruises' ship.

Pacific Pearl is the first superliner to be based in Auckland and arrives on December 18. She departs on her maiden voyage from Auckland on December 22 after her official naming ceremony and launch party on December 21.

Passengers can get a sneak peek of Pacific Pearl’s highlights prior to her launch by following the ship’s blog at http://pacificpearl.pocruises.com.au. Cruises start from $1,449* per person twin-share for Pacific Pearl’s first cruise, an eight-night South Pacific cruise departing from Auckland on December 22, 2010.

For more information contact a TAANZ bonded travel agent, call P&O Cruises on 0800 780 716 or visit www.pocruises.co.nz

ENDS

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