P&O Cruises Boosts Local Suppliers and Bolsters NZ Economy

P&O Cruises Boosts Local Suppliers and Bolsters NZ Economy

P&O Cruises has announced it will expand its New Zealand wine and food offerings, with the selection of eight new suppliers for its latest ship, Pacific Pearl, which will debut in Auckland this month.

The new suppliers will complement the existing stable of 11 New Zealand companies that provide a range of produce for P&O Cruises, further bolstering the cruise line's contribution to the New Zealand economy.

The latest additions include four top New Zealand wineries - Cloudy Bay, Wooing Tree, The Sisters Winery and Blind River.

Meanwhile, Otakiri Springs will provide the bottled water on Pacific Pearl.

The cruise line has also chosen two local suppliers to provide meat. The award-winning Wellington based continental smallgoods producer Luscutto will supply the sausages and smallgoods, while Anzco will provide the ship with New Zealand lamb from around the country.

Finally, Chevalier Produce will ensure Pacific Pearl has fresh New Zealand fruit and vegetables selected from suppliers nationwide.

The produce will be included in menus onboard P&O Cruises latest ship, the 1,800-passenger Pacific Pearl, which will be officially named in Auckland on December 21, prior to her maiden voyage on December 22. Pacific Pearl is the first superliner to homeport in Auckland.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said that the cruise line's commitment to New Zealand suppliers would grow as the company continued to expand its fleet in Australasia.

"As the only cruise business to homeport in New Zealand, P&O Cruises already buys up to NZ$2 million worth of produce during each of our cruise seasons, so we're very pleased to be able to extend that commitment and make an even greater contribution to the local economy," Ms Sherry said.

From March to July alone this year P&O Cruises purchased 210 tonnes of fresh produce, 23,300 dozen eggs and more than 8,500 bottles of New Zealand wine to supply Pacific Sun as she sailed from Auckland.

"New Zealand has some of the best food and wine in the world. We are keen to find local suppliers because the food is fresh, the quality is great and it makes better business and environmental sense," Ms Sherry said.

The latest range of suppliers was selected after a rigorous procurement process spanning the entire country and involving many tastings. Criteria included ability to provide consistent and plentiful supply to the 1,800 cruise passengers and 700 crew on each Pacific Pearl voyage.

Stringent quality control measures and a strong Kiwi connection also featured highly during the process overseen by P&O Cruises Vice President Hotel Operations, Sture Myrmell.

"With up to 8,000 plates of food being served daily onboard Pacific Pearl it is critical that the food is not only high quality but also that our suppliers can keep pace with demand," says Mr Myrmell.

"Previously most food and wine on cruises departing from New Zealand was sourced from Australia. Now we can look forward to serving our passengers a selection of the best produce New Zealand has to offer and at the same time sharing the considerable economic benefits that cruising can bring to New Zealand."

ENDS

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