Celebrate Christmas in style at sea this year

Auckland, February 10, 2011 - Are you still reeling from yet another frantic Christmas – from all that mass catering for the big family gathering on Christmas Day, before frantically loading up the car on Boxing Day just in time to hit the mayhem of the holiday motorway crowds?

Why not get away from all that stress during this year’s festive season by letting someone else take over all those catering and travel worries? Imagine enjoying a fabulous Christmas Day with family and friends and a New Year’s Eve to remember –all with an ocean view.

Celebrity Cruises is offering a special Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruise that’s ideal for Kiwis who are longing for an escape from those hectic Christmas celebrations, or merely fancy a totally different way to celebrate Christmas and new year - a luxurious 13 night cruise from Sydney to Auckland, which leaves Sydney on Christmas Eve.

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You will celebrate the holiday season in style with the finest festive food and wines onboard the five star Celebrity Century, which is the highest rated cruise ship in Australasia.* And there is no reason to disappoint the family – invite them along as well.

“Why not sit back and relax and let someone else pamper you for a change while you enjoy quality time with your loved ones?” says Mark Kinchley, sales manager for Celebrity Cruises, New Zealand.

“You’ll have tremendous fun on a Christmas cruise. Along with the usual host of activities, you will enjoy special festive touches such as Christmas themed entertainment, menus and carolling. Imagine beginning Christmas Day by opening your presents on your private balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean?”

Regardless of the age of family members, there will be plenty for everyone to do as Celebrity Century has dedicated kids and teen programmes. There’s lots of activities for parents, too – there’s a state of the art gym to work off those Christmas calories, or you can unwind in the spa, dance away the night, or enjoy lavish theatrical productions and shows in the two-storey Celebrity Theatre. Or, alternatively, you can totally relax by doing nothing at all and just luxuriate in shipboard life, from the comfort of your deckchair.

The stylish Celebrity Century possesses classic ocean liner glamour, blended with innovative modern features, such as the first ever “ice bar” at sea (a liquid bar counter frozen into rock-hard ice) – a suitably-chic venue for a New Year’s Eve drink, the Murano specialty restaurant (for the ultimate in fine dining) and museum quality art collections containing works by contemporary artists of the calibre of Warhol, Picasso and Hockney.

Celebrity Century’s special Christmas and New Year cruise leaves Sydney on Christmas Eve this year and prices start from AU$2229, per person. Plus you’ll receive up to US$200** onboard credit per cabin if you book before February 28, 2011.

After leaving Sydney, Celebrity Century will visit Melbourne, Burnie in Tasmania, and then Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds, before sailing to Christchurch (on New Year’s Day), Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and then to Auckland.

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. 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.

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

ENDS

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