P&O Cruises has announced it will sail to Melbourne for next year’s opening State of Origin
blockbuster as part of its line-up of cruises to major Australian sporting events.
The first game of the 2018 Holden State of Origin series is expected to be played to a sell-out crowd at
the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground next June.
Rugby league fans are being urged to secure their ticket to the biggest sporting event in Australia now
on a special four-night roundtrip cruise from Sydney to Melbourne which includes sailing with league
legends, tickets and transfers to the game and footy-themed entertainment onboard.
The latest vessel in P&O’s five-ship fleet, Pacific Explorer, will transport more than 2,000 NRL
enthusiasts to the landmark fixture, providing the biggest single injection of interstate fans into Victoria
for Australia’s greatest rivalry.
Rugby league legend Petero Civoniceva said it was the third year that P&O Cruises, the official cruise
line of the NRL, had offered an Origin cruise.
“I’ve been on every one of these cruises because there’s such a great atmosphere on-board, heaps to
do, and is an easy way to get to and from the big game. It takes the hassle out of it,” Civoniceva said.
“As a former player, I know how important these games are. The atmosphere at The G will be electric
and the cruise will have a great mix of fans from both Queensland and NSW who will all want to see
their team get the first victory of the series.”
The last time Origin was at the MCG in 2015, the NRL made history after an unprecedented 91,513
fans filled the ground to the brink.
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was experiencing growing interest for sports
and rugby league cruises to main events such as the Holden State of Origin.
“We know our passengers love footy and we’re excited to offer them a memorable and easy way to
support their team live at one of Australia’s most iconic sporting grounds,” Myrmell said.
“This is the first time we’re offering footy fans a short cruise to the big game. As well as return
transport, accommodation, food and entertainment, they will have the hottest tickets in town – it’s
seriously great value.”
Rugby league fans can book now to join the 2018 State of Origin cruise, with fares starting from $624*
quad share for the four-night roundtrip cruise departing Sydney on June 4, arriving in Melbourne on
June 6 and returning to Sydney on June 8.
For more information visit pocruises.com.au, call 13 24 94 or see a licensed travel agent.
*subject to availability, conditions apply
SOURCE: P&O Cruises