Pacific cruises prove popular

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 13

Pacific cruises prove popular

To cater for the swing towards leisurely holidays afloat, the P and O Line is offering Australians and New Zealanders 55 Pacific cruises in the coming 18 months.

The marketing manager of P and O Lines of Australia Pty, Ltd (Mr K. Lewis), said in Christchurch that of the 55 cruises, 38 had been specifically tailored to the New Zealand market. The majority of the 55 cruises would be of 12 to 15 days duration.

While increasing regional cruises in the Pacific, out of North America, South Africa, and in the Mediterranean, the company was in the same period reducing the number of long-distance or line voyages. From now on, there will be no off-season line voyages. Mr Lewis said that regional cruising was being provided to cater for what people were demanding. About 10,000 New Zealanders are expected to enjoy this type of holiday in the next 18 months, while a further 4000 will sail on line voyages over longer distances and for; longer periods. J

Passenger growth last year on Pacific cruises increased by 5 per cent. This year, and in 1974, a growth of 6 per cent in both years is forecast. Mr Lewis said that this was much in line with the rest of the world, although in the most heavily “shipped” area, the Caribbean, growth last year was 16 per cent. Most of the Pacific cruising will be aboard the company’s passenger lines Oriana, Arcadia, and the one-class Himalaya, which will sail out of Australia and Auckland.

Referring to the low “youth fare” of $349 from New Zealand to Britan, Mr Lewis said bookings for the three sailings in September, November, and next January showed that there were still plenty of young people ready to jump at the opportunity of a sea voyage of three to four weeks.

Candidate. — The Social Credit candidate for Franklin in the General Election will be Mr G. G. Morell, aged 46, a dairy fanner and Franklin County Councillor, who is married with five children. — (P.A.).