Arriba! Princess Cruises Sails Around South America

Kiwi cruisers are set to salsa around South America, with Princess Cruises announcing it will sail on its first circumnavigation of the colourful continent from Auckland in 2017.

The 76-night Circle South America cruise on Sea Princess will visit  26 ports across 17 countries including Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Uruguay, giving travellers ample opportunity to soak up the exotic cultures of South America, while enjoying all the comforts of a Princess cruise.

Departing Auckland on January 15, 2017, the cruise is priced from $17,849* per person twin share.

The voyage is the headline act in Princess’ new 2016-17 program, which maintains the cruise line’s reputation for offering destination-rich, longer voyages from Australia and New Zealand.

Also featured is a line voyage from England to Australia on the sparkling Emerald Princess as she sails south for her first ever season Down Under.  Departing Southampton on September 28, 2016, Emerald Princess will sail on a Four Continents Grand Adventure from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and Australia where she will make her maiden calls to Fremantle (November 8, 2017), Melbourne (November 13, 2017) and Sydney (November 15, 2017). Fares start from $7979* for the 48-night voyage from Southampton to Sydney.

On sale from April 23, 2015, the 2016-17 Australia and New Zealand program offers five ships providing record capacity to travellers on cruises from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Fremantle and Auckland over the summer months. Holidaymakers can choose from 120 cruise options with an unprecedented 112 destinations across 39 countries on offer.  Highlights include:

• An 11-night cruise on the 3082-guest Emerald Princess from Auckland to Sydney including calls to Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin, scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park and a full day in Hobart, from $1789*

• A 42-night Dawn Princess journey to Asia sailing from Sydney and Brisbane to visit China and Japan, with fares starting from $6929*

• Golden Princess’ second summer season from Melbourne, featuring 16 cruises including a record four sailings to the Pacific Islands as well as itineraries to Tasmania. Fares start from $2219* for a 14-night Pacific Islands cruise.

• Sun Princess’ second summer season of cruises from Fremantle, featuring voyages to Indonesia, more short breaks to Busselton for Margaret River and the popular Northern Explorer cruises between Australia’s west and east coasts. Fares start from $2629* for a 15-night Indonesia cruise.

• Ten cruises from Brisbane on Sea Princess from November 2016 to January 2017 and Sun Princess from January to March 2017, including an 11-night Papua New Guinea cruise from $2099*.

• Round Australia cruises on Sun Princess with departures from Sydney in October 2016 and March 2017 as well as the first roundtrip voyages from Brisbane and Fremantle. Fares start from $5039*.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia and New Zealand Stuart Allison said New Zealand travellers would be spoilt for choice with the new offerings.

“From unforgettable journeys across the world to shorter holidays exploring the beauty of the South Pacific and Australia, this program is packed with a record number of options which we think will really appeal to Kiwi travellers,” Mr Allison said.

Mr Allison said he expected the new Circle South America itinerary to be particularly popular.

“We know New Zealanders love our longer trips to Asia, Hawaii and Tahiti so we think they’ll jump at the chance to immerse themselves in the colour and excitement of South America as part of this landmark circumnavigation,” he added.

For more information, see a licensed travel agent, call 0800 451 133 or visit www.princess.com

*Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Fares are in NZD on a per person, twin share basis.