Australians will soon be able to cruise from New Zealand and the South Pacific after luxury French line Ponant revealed bubble sailings between November 2021 to early 2023.
The push to get Australians back onboard is an ingenious idea by Ponant, as Australia is yet to lift its cruising ban.
There are 14 voyages focused on New Zealand and beyond, varying from seven-to-21 nights.
One of the expedition voyages of the South Island visits the Snares Island, famous for its prolific birdlife. From there, the itinerary takes cruisers to the Subantarctic Islands with visits to the rarely visited New Zealand’s Enderby, Campbell and Antipodes islands.
Heading north of New Zealand on board Le Lapérouse, visit the former penal settlement of Norfolk Island en-route to explore the exotic sub-tropical isles of New Caledonia, including the dreamy Isle of Pines and picture perfect Lifou in the Loyalty archipelago.
“From the remote subantarctic islands to spectacular fiords and fascinating Maori traditions, these voyages offer an eclectic mix of culture and nature that makes travelling to this land of the long white cloud a unique experience,” said Deb Corbett, PONANT General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific.
“Besides, our exciting new itineraries allow for exploration beyond the beauty of New Zealand, such as neighbouring paradise New Caledonia and Antarctica’s seldom visited Ross Sea. Surely the question is not ‘will we go’ but, rather, ‘which voyage’?”.
Examples of the 14 New Zealand border-bubble voyages available:
NEW – 9 nights’ New Zealand’s Fiordland & the Snares Expedition – Dunedin/Wellington to Dunedin/Wellington
Departs Dunedin on 21 November 2021 or Wellington on 30 November 2021.
From $7,480 per person twin share in a Deluxe Stateroom on board Le Soléal.
Visit Antarctica from New Zealand! NEW – 21 nights’ Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic Ross Sea Expedition – Dunedin to Dunedin
Departs Dunedin on 13 January 2022 and 3 February 2022.
From $25,850 per person twin share in a Superior Stateroom on board Le Soléal.
NEW itinerary: 13 nights’ From New Zealand to New Caledonia – Lyttelton to Noumea
Departs Lyttelton on 27 January 2022.
From $9,630 twin share in a Prestige Stateroom on board Le Lapérouse.
