UK passengers race to book Princess cruises to Australasia

Australia and New Zealand are bucket-list cruise destinations for a number of travellers, and when you take the amazing wildlife, spectacular scenery and adventurous activities into account, it is no surprise! And now, Princess Cruises has revealed just how popular cruises to Australia and New Zealand really are.

Ever more popular cruise destinations

Princess Cruises has stated that the number of UK guests embarking on Australia and New Zealand cruises will double year-on-year in 2018. This is based on the fact that sailings in Australasia are now higher than ever, and this region is the fastest-growing of all of Princess’ worldwide destinations.

Cruises from Sydney or Brisbane to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef have seen the biggest spike, with year-on-year bookings up by more than 750 per cent! Roundtrip sailings from Sydney or Melbourne direct to New Zealand are the next most popular, allowing guests to explore Auckland, Wellington and the Fiordland National Park.

So popular are these cruises, in fact, that 2019 bookings have already increased by 60 per cent based on bookings made this time last year for 2018. UK tourists now made up the fourth-highest number of visitors to Australia!

The enduring allure of Australia and New Zealand

One of the reasons cruises to Australia and New Zealand are so popular is the array of tours and excursions on offer. Sailings can be combined with land tours across multiple nights, which visit ports including Sydney and the wild and rugged Australian outback, while the opportunity to visit both Australia and New Zealand in one holiday is irresistible to adventurous cruisers.

If you would like to sail across Australasia in 2018 or 2019, you have five Princess Cruises ships to choose from, including the newest addition to the cruise line’s fleet: 3,560-guest Majestic Princess.

Enjoy shore excursions including:

• A ‘Lord of the Rings’ tour through the Wellington and Wairarapa regions, home to iconic filming locations.
• A visit to the Maori Matariki Festival in Auckland.
• A trip to the 100-acre Rainforestation Nature Park in Cairns, which is set in a World Heritage rainforest. Enjoy a guided rainforest tour and the opportunity to see crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, wombats and other native Australian animals.
• Camel riding along Cable Beach in Broome, Australia, bordered by the Indian Ocean.

An on-board experience to match

These unforgettable Princess cruises aren’t just about the destination – the experience continues even when you step back on-board your cruise ship.

Guests can take part in on-board activities like Haka lessons, and savour locally-themed menus made up of New Zealand lamb, Pavlova dessert and a traditional Maori ‘Hangi’ dinner. Complimented by authentic local beers, and wines like Australian Shiraz, you will be awed by the unique dining experiences.

Princess Cruises’ vice president UK and Europe, Tony Roberts, said:

“Australia and New Zealand cruises are booming as holidaymakers combine its striking destinations with the comfort and style of a Princess cruise. The sailaway from Sydney harbour is truly stunning, while other spectacular settings including the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park are equally not to be missed.

“Combining the trappings of a cruise with a longer stay on land before or after sailing is proving particularly appealing as more and more guests get on-board with Princess down under.”

Would you like to experience the wonders of Australia and New Zealand on-board a stunning Princess cruise ship? Call our Cruise Concierge team on 0808 1234 118 to find out more about the itineraries on offer and book your perfect voyage.