Circle the Pacific on Australia's Longest Ever Cruise
Date: 05 Jun 2007
Princess Cruises has released details of the longest round-trip cruise ever offered from Australia – an epic 75-night voyage aboard its superliner Sun Princess, visiting 16 countries around the Pacific Ocean.
The largest cruise ship ever based in Australia year-round, the luxury 77,000-ton Sun Princess will sail on her ‘Grand Pacific World Cruise’ from Sydney on July 14, 2008, calling at 31 ports in two hemispheres.
Leaving mid-winter, the grand voyage will cross the equator twice, whisking adventure-seeking passengers off to the warmer climes of Tahiti, Hawaii and Vietnam as well as northern Pacific destinations such as Alaska, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea in mid-summer, returning to Sydney well into spring in late September.
While the spacious Sun Princess can carry 1950 passengers, interest in this unique extended itinerary is expected to be strong, especially with the line offering interstate passengers free return flights from any Australian state capital to Sydney to join the voyage as well as free return coach transfers to Sydney from Canberra and the NSW cities of Wollongong, Gosford, Goulburn and Newcastle.
Passengers booking the ‘Grand Pacific World Cruise’ before August 31, 2007, will also receive an onboard credit of A$750 per person* to spend on spa treatments, drinks or shore tours at the many exotic destinations. The onboard currency will also be in Australian dollars, adding to the savings.
According to Acting Managing Director of Princess Cruises in Australia, Dean Brown, record numbers of Australians are taking holidays at sea and showing interest in longer voyages offering diverse ports of call.
“We believe Sun Princess’ Grand Pacific World Cruise is the most exciting voyage ever offered from Australia for Australians,” Mr Brown said. “It’s a dream trip, showcasing so many amazing destinations around the Pacific and with no international flights required to see any of them. All passengers need to do is unpack once and relax aboard their big floating resort until a new port appears on the horizon. And with a total of 42 days cruising between ports, passengers will have lots of time to enjoy the good life at sea.”
“This memorable voyage of discovery will appear to both seasoned Australian cruisers searching for new destinations, as well as newcomers to cruising keen to explore the world in style and comfort.”
Destinations on the round-Pacific sojourn include New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tahiti and Christmas Island in Kiribati, which straddles the juncture of the equator and the International Dateline. Passengers then sail for Hawaii, San Francisco and Vancouver before enjoying a spectacular journey to Alaska where they will sail through the famous Glacier Bay and search for the famous bears on Kodiak Island. The Russian outpost of Petropavlovsk is next followed by calls to Japan, Pusan in South Korea, Beijing and Shanghai in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia. Visits to Singapore and Darwin and then five relaxing days at sea will see Sun Princess finally return to Sydney at the end of her circumnavigation of the world’s biggest ocean.
Based permanently in Australia from November 2007 and offering a premium cruise experience, Sun Princess features more than 400 balcony cabins as well as a grand four-storey atrium, eight restaurants and cafes, three pools, five whirlpool spas, seven lounges and bars, ocean-view gym, teak-line wrap-around promenade deck, library, spa sanctuary, internet centre and golf simulator.
Until August 31, fares for the 75-night cruise are available from A$13,495* per person with balcony cabins available from A$23,698* per person, including all main meals and entertainment onboard. See a travel agent, call Princess Cruises on 13 24 88 .
* Maximum credit of $1500 per cabin. Fares are based on twin share accommodation and conditions apply. Subject to availability.
