Heavy weight of the seas sails for New Zealand

Heavy weight of the seas sails for New Zealand

One of the world's biggest moving objects, Star Princess, weighed anchor in Los Angeles on November 1 as she began her history-making voyage to New Zealand.

Seventeen years after the Concorde turned heads in Auckland during its first visit here, eyes around the country will turn seaward on November 22 for the first sight of the giant $1 billion megaliner - the largest cruise ship ever to sail here.

The 109,000-ton Star Princess will operate a sell-out three-month season of cruises between Australia and New Zealand from November to February.

More than 250 metres long, towering 18 storeys and more than twice the size of the legendary Titanic, Star Princess will be the biggest moving object ever to arrive in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Tauranga.

"The Concorde captured New Zealand's imagination in 1986 and we believe the massive Star Princess will also make big waves as she sails around New Zealand this summer," says P&O Cruises strategic business development manager Shannon Currie.

"Excitement is definitely building as Star Princess sets sail for our shores. New Zealand has seen nothing like her here before - a spectacular floating city that is an incredible 43 per cent bigger than the previous biggest liner to visit New Zealand - P&O's 76,000-ton Aurora in 2001. Star Princess has set sales records, confirming the international cruise boom has well and truly arrived in New Zealand."

Star Princess is cruising from LA to New Zealand via Hawaii and Tahiti and will make 23 calls to five local ports during her season here from November to February:

STAR PRINCESS VISITS:

Tauranga - Nov 22

Auckland - Nov 23, Dec 8, Jan 3 and Jan 31

Wellington - Dec 6, Dec 10, Jan 1, Jan 5, Jan 29 and Feb 2

Christchurch - Dec 5, Dec 11, Dec 31, Jan 6, Jan 28 and Feb 3

Dunedin - Dec 4, Dec 12, Dec 30, Jan 7, Jan 27 and Feb 4

Fjordland National Park, cruising only - Dec 3, Dec 13, Dec 29, Jan 8, Jan 26 and Feb 5

Sporting a Star Trek-like bridge, a glass-walled nightclub suspended above the ship and a promenade deck stretching all the way to the tip of the bow 'Titanic-style', the luxurious Star Princess will introduce to New Zealanders the trappings of big ship cruising. Within her 290 metres are nine restaurants and cafes, 12 bars, five pools, nine jacuzzis, a wedding chapel, two-storey theatre, mini golf course, art gallery, casino and spa complex.

Launched in 2002, Star Princess is part of the fleet of the US-based Princess Cruises, a sister line to P&O Cruises.

Bookings and cruise brochures are available from travel agents or by calling the P&O Cruises freephone on 0800 441 766 or by visiting the company's website at www.pocruises.co.nz .

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