Cunard Sends Three Liners to New Zealand

MEDIA RELEASE

June 22, 2011

Multi-Million Dollar Tourism Injection as Cunard Sends Three Liners to New Zealand

Cunard Sends Three Liners to New Zealand

New Zealand is set to reap the benefits from its growing popularity as a cruise destination, with Cunard Line today announcing that all three of its liners will visit the nation in 2013 – including its flagship Queen Mary 2, which will sail on a history-making 12-night Royal Circumnavigation of the country.

Departing from Sydney in March 2013, Queen Mary 2’s New Zealand circumnavigation will see her visit Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Islands, sail through Milford Sound and make her maiden call to Christchurch, following the cancellation of her scheduled visit earlier this year due to the devastating earthquake.

The voyage is the highlight of Cunard’s 2013 world voyage program which features an unprecedented 10 visits to New Zealand ports by its three liners, which will collectively inject up to $10 million into the New Zealand economy.

Queen Mary 2’s sister, Queen Victoria will call at Auckland and the Bay of Islands in February 2013 during her world voyage, while Cunard’s youngest liner, Queen Elizabeth, will visit Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch later that month, during a 91-night Exotic Discoveries voyage.

Announcing Queen Mary 2’s historic New Zealand circumnavigation today, Cunard Line President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said the voyage followed strong bookings for Queen Mary 2’s circumnavigation of Australia in February 2012.

“It’s clear to us from the response we’ve received for our Australian circumnavigation that New Zealanders and Australians are very keen to travel on the legendary Queen Mary 2 in their own waters,” Mr Shanks said.

“After cruising around Australia in 2012, we thought we would try something a little different and sail around the beautiful North and South Islands of New Zealand.

“New Zealand is renowned for its stunning scenery and interesting ports and we think guests will love the chance to enjoy it all from the comfort of Queen Mary 2.

“We also expect that our New Zealand calls by Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria will be enormously popular.”

With interest in the New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation expected to be strong, pre-registrations for the voyage will open at 10am on Wednesday July 13, with two options available - a 12-night roundtrip voyage from Sydney departing March 7, 2013 or a 19-night New Zealand voyage from Sydney to Fremantle departing the same day. Fares will start from NZ$4269* for the 12-night voyage.

Meanwhile Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria’s 2013 world voyages will go on sale at midnight on Thursday July 14, with pre-registrations available from 7pm Monday July 4. All guests who book before December 31, 2011 will be offered discounts and onboard credits, while past guests will enjoy extra savings.

Queen Mary 2’s full world voyage will see her visit four continents in 106 nights with visits to the Mediterranean, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, as well as overnight stays in Dubai. Hong Kong, Shanghai and Cape Town. Fares for a 15-night cruise from Fremantle to Cape Town start from NZ$4959*.

Meanwhile, Queen Victoria will head west in a 105-night world voyage which will visit North and South Americas, the South Pacific, Asia and the Mediterranean with overnight stays in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Dubai. Fares for a 15-night cruise from San Francisco to Auckland start from NZ$4939.

Guests on Queen Elizabeth’s Exotic Discoveries voyage, which is already on sale, will spend 91 nights travelling from the UK to New Zealand via America and the South Pacific.

For more details on Cunard’s 2012-13 program, contact your local travel agent, call Cunard on 0800 543 431 or visit www.cunardline.com.au * Fares are cruise only, per person in a complete twin stateroom. Subject to availability and conditions apply.

DATES OF VISITS

Ship Port Date
Queen Mary 2 Milford Sound 10/3/2013
Lyttleton 12/3/2013
Wellington 13/3/2013
Auckland 15/3/2013
Bay of Islands 16/3/2013
Queen Victoria Auckland 19/2/2013
Bay of Islands 20/2/2013
Queen Elizabeth Auckland 20/2/2013
Napier 21/2/2013
Wellington 22/2/2013
Lyttleton 23/2/2013

ends

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