The schedule was one of the items touched on by Nick Ferguson, Sydney-based head of sales marketing and customer services when he presented to a trade audience on board Royal Princess in Auckland yesterday.

The update from Princess executives was followed by a ship inspection and royal themed high tea to mark the line’s official launch of its summer season in the part of the world.

Ferguson says this year will have 21 itineraries that either depart or arrive in Auckland, an increase of 35% on last year.

‘That means there is a lot of potential for agents to grow their commission earnings.’

He says that while only limited spots remain for 2023-24, there are plenty of options to get clients on the 2024-25 programme, with cruising ranging from four nights through to 123 nights around New Zealand travelling Sydney to Auckland or vice-versa, plus a 17-night round New Zealand trip that negates the need for flights.

Stuart Allison, senior vice-president Asia Pacific, UK and Europe says a third of Princess Cruises’ fleet will come to New Zealand this year to one extent or the other.

‘We’ll have five ships, 10 destinations, 186 port calls and 100,000 visitors. If we were a country we would be the fourth biggest source market of visitors to New Zealand based on figures for the past year.

‘Not only is New Zealand important as a destination, it is also a critical source market.’

He says more Kiwis will cruise around New Zealand than anywhere this year, but Europe and Alaska in particular remain extremely popular destinations from this market.