The roundtrip New Zealand voyage – a first for Cunard – is testament to the growing popularity of cruising in Australia and New Zealand.
The special itinerary is a highlight of the cruise line's new 2013 world voyage program, which features three Queens, with both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria visiting Australia.
During her 104-night world voyage, the 151,400-tonne Queen Mary 2 will call at Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle as well as Sydney – the departure point for her historic voyage around New Zealand.
Priced from $3329* per person, the New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation will see the Cunard flagship visit Auckland, Wellington and the Bay of Islands, sail through the beautiful waters of Milford Sound and make her maiden call to Christchurch.
Announcing the NZ circumnavigation today, Cunard Line President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said the voyage followed strong bookings for Queen Mary 2's Royal Circumnavigation of Australia in February 2012.
"It's clear to us from the response we've received for our Australian circumnavigation that Australians and New Zealanders are very keen to cruise on the legendary Queen Mary 2 in their own waters," Mr Shanks said.
"After cruising around Australia in 2012, we thought we would try something a little different and sail around the beautiful North and South Islands of New Zealand. New Zealand is renowned for its stunning scenery and interesting ports and we think Australians will love the chance to enjoy it all from the comfort of Queen Mary 2."
With interest in the New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation expected to be strong, limited bookings for the cruise will open at 8am on Wednesday July 13, with two options available - a 12-night roundtrip voyage from Sydney departing March 7, 2013 or a 19-night New Zealand voyage from Sydney to Fremantle departing the same day.
Meanwhile Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria's 2013 World Voyages will go on sale at 10pm on Thursday July 14, with pre-registrations available from 5pm, Monday July 4. All guests who book before December 31, 2011 will be offered discounts and onboard credits, while past guests will enjoy extra savings.
Queen Mary 2's full world voyage will see her visit four continents in 106 nights with visits to the Mediterranean, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa, as well as overnight stays in Dubai, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Cape Town. Fares for a 15-night cruise from Fremantle to Cape Town start from $3869*.
Her younger sister Queen Victoria will head west in a 105-night world voyage which will visit North and South Americas, the South Pacific, Asia and the Mediterranean with overnight stays in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Dubai. Fares for a 20-night cruise from San Francisco to Sydney start from $5139*.
Guests on Queen Elizabeth's Exotic Discoveries voyage, which is already on sale, will spend 91 nights travelling from the UK to New Zealand via America and the South Pacific.
For more details and bookings call Cunard on 13 24 41 or visit www.cunardline.com.au
* Fares are per person twin share and are subject to availability. Conditions apply.
