Superliner will make its home base in Auckland

P&O Cruises' Pacific Pearl will be re-christened in the Waitemata Harbour next year. Photo / Supplied

P&O Cruises plans to base its newest superliner in New Zealand.

The 1800-passenger Pacific Pearl will be re-christened in the Waitemata Harbour on December 19, 2010.

Auckland will be the ship's home port and from here it will travel to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Craig Harris, chairman of Cruise NZ, said basing the Pacific Pearl in Auckland "is a real coup for New Zealand".

He said the industry already had bookings for the 2010 summer season and expected around 135,000 passengers.

Mr Harris said cruise passengers were the fourth-largest group of inbound travellers.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia and New Zealand, said it chose New Zealand as the base because the country was driving much of the company's growth.

"Cruising has proven remarkably recession-resistant. As the world economy starts to recover, I believe we are in for sustained growth," she said.

"If New Zealand is to capitalise on that growth, it needs the right infrastructure and planning in place."

FACTS

Built: 1987, renovated for P&O in 2010.
Weight: 63,500 gross tonnes.
Length: 247 metres.
Width: 32 metres.
Decks: 11.
Speed: Maximum 21.5 knots.
Passenger cabins: 839.
Facilities: Three restaurants, six bars and lounges, spa, fitness centre and gym, two swimming pools, multi-level show lounge, cinema, casino, duty-free shopping boutiques.