Height of luxury is 18 storeys

By REBECCA WALSH

You could get married in the onboard chapel, enjoy a cocktail in one of 12 bars, watch a movie on a two-storey-high movie screen or play a game of mini-golf.

But the real luxury of a cruise holiday is having to unpack only once.

Star Princess, the biggest cruise ship to visit New Zealand, docked in Auckland yesterday and attracted plenty of onlookers.

"It causes quite a sensation," said one of the 2600 passengers, Linda Barber of Canada.

"In Tauranga there were helicopters overhead and it was on the front page of the newspaper. I have to say it is absolutely stunning. There's beautiful stained glass, original works of art and each lounge or bar has a theme. It's fun."

The ship, which stands 18 storeys or 61m in height - almost the height of the top point of the Auckland Harbour Bridge - weighs 109,000 tonnes and is more than twice the size of the Titanic.

Jacuzzis, pools, restaurants, a casino and art gallery vie for passengers' attention.

But apart from the obvious onboard luxuries, what is it that is so appealing about a cruise holiday?

"It's a way of getting to see a lot of places without having to get off planes and you don't have to pack and unpack," said Carol Wuertzler of Chicago, a veteran cruise-goer on her 24th expedition.

"You know where your bed is and where you are going to be eating."

Ask any of the passengers aboard the Star Princess and they are likely to give you a similar response.

"I think cruises appeal to people who want to see a lot in relative safety and comfort," says Mrs Barber, who is on her third cruise with husband Greg.

"I've never been a backpacker. It's too much hard work."

If you are thinking it all sounds tempting, you will need the luxury of time and money.

The 26-day cruise cost the Barbers about $15,600.

As An Boverhoff, 67, of Holland says: "Most of the people are older than I am. Even when you are an invalid you can do this.

"So if you have enough money, why not?"

The Star Princess will make another three visits to New Zealand over the summer.

P&O Cruises New Zealand business development manager Shannon Currie said every one of the ship's 23 visits to ports here would generate more than $1 million, in spending, port fees, fuel and supplies.

Next year the even-bigger 113,000- tonne Sapphire Princess will visit New Zealand.

Star attraction

The Star Princess is the biggest cruise ship to visit New Zealand. It:

* is 290m long - the length of four 747 jumbo jets - and 61m high

* weighs 109,000 tonnes, the equivalent of 280 Air New Zealand jumbo jets

* can carry 2700 passengers and 1100 crew

* has 1300 cabins (700 have their own balcony)

* provides its passengers and crew with an average 412kg of icecream, 726kg of beef and 435kg of bananas a day.

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine