Princess Cruises returns to New Zealand with a host of new experiences

The breath-taking beauty of New Zealand has always been close to the hearts of Australian cruisers.

As the country’s favourite line returns Down Under next year, it will do so with some of the most extraordinary itineraries to the Land of the Long White Cloud.

This unhurried corner of the world is what attracts Australian cruisers, who return year after year to experience its steaming volcanic lakes, intriguing Māori legends and magnificent fiords.

What makes a cruise to NZ so special?  Princess  has invested in its Across the Ditch shore excursions that take cruisers to the heart of Kiwi life – from watching glittering glowworms inside Auckland’s Waitomo Grotto to seeing delightful, white-flippered blue penguins and baby fur seals basking in the sunshine.

You will also be amazed by Tauranga’s Wai-O-Tapu thermal valley where you will see its mud pools, hissing geysers and rainbow-coloured lakes. And if you want to retrace the Tolkien’s mythical Middle Earth and walk in the footsteps of The Lord of the Rings movie in Wellington, then make your way to Peter Jackson’s Weta Studios. You will not be disappointed.

One of the amazing highlights of a NZ voyage is when the ship sails into Milford Sound, the heart of the Fiordland National Park in the South Island and watch with awe the rising cliffs and waterfalls.

The joy of Princess Across the Ditch program, is that the line will bring New Zealand culture on board so that guests can learn how to do the Haka Māori  War Dance or poi dancing. And after mastering the dances, you can tuck into a Hangi dinner, washed down with a glass of wine from Marlborough.

With five ships lined-up for her glorious season Down Under, Australians who are itching to cruise again will be spoilt for choice.

For the first time, Royal Princess  and Coral Princess  will cruise in local waters with Coral Princess  offering the first round trip world cruise from Australia in 2022. Emerald Princess, Sapphire Princess  and Pacific Princess  will also cruise here.

Sydney will be the homeport for the 3560-guest Royal Princess  and 3080-guest Emerald Princess  while Brisbane will be home for the 2000-guest Coral Princess  and Melbourne will be the homeport for Sapphire Princess .

Guests can choose from an eight-night cruise on Coral Princess  to Auckland calling at Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park (Scenic cruising) departing Sydney on 21 October next year. Prices start at $1609 per person twin share for an interior stateroom.

There’s also a 13-night roundtrip on Sapphire Princess  from Melbourne calling at the Fiordland National Park (Scenic cruising), Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland which departs on 5 November 2021. Prices start at $2099 pp twin share.

For a Christmas cruise next year, there’s a 14-night itinerary on Coral Princess  which departs from Brisbane on 20 December and visits Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Dunedin, Fiordland National Park (Scenic cruising) before returning to Brisbane on 3 January 2022. Prices start from $3059 pp twin share.

For more information, visit www.princess.com or call a travel agent at 132488.