Princess Cruises has cemented its position as the leader in transTasman cruises, with a new program designed to immerse guests in the New Zealand culture from the moment they step onboard for their Kiwi holiday.
Launching on Princess’ New Zealand cruises this summer, the new program – aptly named Across the Ditch – will showcase New Zealand culture, food and traditions through a series of interactive and engaging onboard experiences and shore excursions.
Announcing the move, Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the program was a natural progression for Princess, which carries more than two-thirds of all Australian cruisers across the ditch.
“Princess is the leader in transTasman cruising, with one in three of our cruises visiting New Zealand, so we’re excited to offer a more immersive experience that will really bring the destination onboard. We hope that by introducing guests to all this amazing country has to offer, we will give them a reason to keep coming back to New Zealand with Princess,” Mr Allison said.
As part of the program, guests will be able to eat like a local with some of New Zealand’s most popular and traditional dishes including racks of lamb, hokey pokey and even a Maori hangi style dinner offered onboard.
Travellers can also take it one step further and learn the secrets behind the dishes, participating in a series of food-themed shore excursions from cooking classes in Akaroa to a gourmet walking tour in Wellington and a thrilling experience at a Waiheke winery.
No taste of New Zealand would be complete without wine, so Princess has brought onboard more New Zealand wines than ever before to develop the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail at Sea, including Pinot Noir from Central Otago and Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region.
New Zealand’s Maori culture will also be brought to life onboard with Kapa Haka groups performing the world famous haka and traditional poi dancing.
Guests will be able to uncover more of New Zealand via Princess’ partnership with Discovery, with regular presentations on the wildlife, terrain and history of the country, as well as exclusive shore excursions, including a penguin habitat and nature tour and the services of a National Park ranger during scenic cruises through Fiordland National Park. Whilst more adventurous cruisers may like to participate in an eco-zip line tour in Waiheke Island flying over pristine rainforest.
The cruise line will also feature returning favourites, such as the Matariki Festival – a traditional Maori celebration – New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, classic New Zealand films during Movies Under the Stars and onboard coverage of New Zealand’s national pastime – rugby. All New Zealand cruises will also feature a pop-up display from the Auckland Museum.
To experience a taste of the Across the Ditch program please see the video.
Emerald Princess cruises included an 11-night New Zealand cruise sailing from Sydney on January 10, 2017 priced from $1699* per person twin share plus an onboard credit of $75 per person
For more information visit www.princess.com, call 13 24 88 or see a licensed travel agent.
SOURCE: Princess Cruises