Carnival New Zealand has come out on top for the second year in a row at the Travel Agents Association
of New Zealand (TAANZ) National Travel Industry Awards.
Awarded the title of Best Cruise Operator in NZ, Carnival New Zealand represents some of the world’s
best known cruise brands P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises World Cruising and Cunard.
Executive Chairman of Carnival Australia and New Zealand, Ann Sherry, said the accolade reinforced the
depth and strength of the company’s business in New Zealand and the potential for growth.
“Ocean cruising is increasingly becoming a holiday which appeals to New Zealanders and Carnival New
Zealand’s brands are leading the growth of the industry in this market and, indeed, the region,” Ms
Sherry said.
“Our brands, which are some of the best known in the world, are bringing more Australian tourists to
New Zealand than ever before as well as taking more Kiwis on cruise holidays both around New Zealand
and to Australia and the Pacific Islands.”
Illustrating the organisation’s commitment to the local market, P&O cruises has just completed its
biggest ever New Zealand season following the five-month Auckland deployment of the Pacific Pearl.
Highlights of the season included a special 10-night circumnavigation of New Zealand, featuring P&O’s
very first visit to Stewart Island, a themed cruise to Napier’s world-famous Art Deco festival and a
maiden call to the Cook Islands.
More than 34,000 guests were carried across 20 cruises, contributing an estimated $20 million to the
economy during the season.
“It is exciting to think about the potential for growth in this market as more Kiwis are introduced to
cruising,” Ms Sherry said.
Carnival will bring almost 80,000 cruise tourists across the ditch to New Zealand next year, with Princess
Cruises being the #1 operator. In fact, two out of three cruises to New Zealand on Princess ships.
P&O’s Pacific Pearl will also be returning to Auckland for its final two-month season in February next
year before being replaced by the larger Pacific Jewel for a second New Zealand season from September
until October 2017.
The move to include a second New Zealand season next year further reasserts Carnival’s commitment
to the local market, and is a direct response to the growing demand for cruising by New Zealanders.
Follow