Around Australia in 36 Days

February 21, 2011

Around Australia in 36 Days

Australia is such a huge country that most visitors only get to see a small slice of the massive continent. However, luxury cruise company, Celebrity Cruises, is offering New Zealanders an unprecedented opportunity to cruise around the entire coastline of the Lucky Country.

Departing from Auckland on January 30 next year, the five star superliner Celebrity Century will sail a complete circumnavigation of Australia, as well as giving New Zealanders a fantastic opportunity to see more of their own country en route. On the first “Round Australia” voyage ever to set sail from Auckland, the ship will cruise down the east coast of New Zealand, visiting Tauranga, Christchurch and Dunedin before cruising up Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds.

The Celebrity Century will then visit Sydney for a 2-day, overnight stay – docked beside the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge – before proceeding on a full clockwise circumnavigation of Australia. As well as visiting the major cities of Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane, the superliner will also make calls at less visited ports such as Bunbury, Broome, Albany and Geraldton in Western Australia. After departing from Broome, Celebrity Century will also make a diversion to the exotic destination of Bali, before visiting Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane and completing its round-Australia circuit in Sydney.

The 36-night voyage is also available in two shorter segments: from Auckland to Fremantle along Australia’s southern coast (18 nights) or from Fremantle to Sydney via Australia’s ‘Top End’ (18 nights).

And while passengers will get the chance to appreciate at leisure the scope and beauty of Australia’s dramatic coastline, they will also have plenty of time to enjoy the innovative modern amenities on Celebrity Century.

When the five star Celebrity Century arrives in Auckland later this year, the elegant superliner will be the highest rated cruise ship* to be based in Australia and New Zealand. The stylish ship possesses classic ocean liner glamour blended with modern innovations, such as the first ever “ice bar” at sea (a liquid bar counter frozen into rock-hard ice), the Murano specialty restaurant (for the ultimate in fine dining) and museum quality art collections containing the works of contemporary artists of the calibre of Warhol, Picasso and Hockney.

The Celebrity-style service begins as soon as guests step onboard, where they’re welcomed with a glass of complimentary champagne, setting the tone for the deluxe experience ahead.

“New Zealanders are discerning cruisers, and this Circumnavigation of Australia cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to explore Australia with the convenience of sailing from Auckland.  We are delighted to offer our local passengers a new choice in upscale cruising, sailing conveniently from their doorsteps,” said Mark Kinchley, sales manager for Celebrity Cruises in New Zealand.

One of the fastest growing major cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises and its 10 ship fleet have won a stack of major accolades, including being rated as “Best Premium Cruise line” by the UK’s Travel Weekly in January 2011. Celebrity Cruises has also been rated as one of the top cruise lines in the world in readers’ surveys such as the elite Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Frommers Guide. It will be the first time in almost three years since the cruise line has sailed in New Zealand waters, when Celebrity Century arrives in Auckland on December 12 this year.

If you have wanted to explore a range of Australian destinations, from sophisticated Sydney to the exotic pearling town of Broome to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, now is your opportunity with prices for this unique Circumnavigation of Australia cruise starting from AU$2,599 per person for an 18-night segment, or AU$5,179 per person for the full 36-night voyage.

For more information or to book a cruise, speak to your travel agent, visit www.celebritycruises.com or call 0800 102 103.

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