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Cruise your way to the Rugby World Cup 2011

4th May 2010 Print

The Sport Division of TUI Travel PLC, the world’s leading leisure travel group, is chartering P&O Cruises’ 70,000-ton superliner Pacific Dawn to ensure 2,000 Rugby Union devotees do not miss the latter stages of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

The fans will be travelling with TUI Travel PLC’s Sport Division of leading sports tour companies including Gullivers Sports Travel supported by Sport Abroad, Thomson Sport and Sportsworld in the UK as well as We Love Rugby in Australia. Rugby supporters from Europe, South Africa and Australia will be able to experience a Rugby-themed cruise of New Zealand’s scenic attractions, in addition to all the drama and excitement of Rugby World Cup, 2011’s key knock-out matches in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Customers can combine an exciting cruise itinerary as well as Rugby themed floating clubhouse with a line up of former Rugby internationals as part of the experience. To cap off the cruise for these devotees of ‘the game they play in heaven’, Pacific Dawn will be in Auckland on Sunday, October 23, for the Final of Rugby World Cup 2011

The Sport Division is a unique collection of some of the most established sports travel and event brands in the world. Part of the Activity Sector of TUI Travel PLC, the Sport Division delivers exceptional services and logistics to major worldwide sporting events.

Darren Mee, Managing Director of TUI Travel Sport businesses, who negotiated the deal with P&O Cruises, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this unique cruise to solve the accommodation issues we face in the latter stages in New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011. Pacific Dawn is a superliner offering the best facilities for all Rugby fans. This is not the first time we have chartered a ship, in 2005, we chartered Pacific Sun for the British & Irish Lions Tour in New Zealand and it was a great success. Gareth Chilcott (former Bath, England, British & Irish Lions prop), who has been Gullivers’ MC on tour for the past 20 years will be taking to the high seas with the Rugby community on Pacific Dawn for the duration of the Tournament to keep all things ship shape. By taking on this commitment we can ensure that fans are able to experience the latter part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in an atmospheric and unique environment and experience the warm hospitality of New Zealand and its distinctive culture. We look forward to a very successful Rugby World Cup 2011, growing our relationship with P&O further and providing fans with a great experience”.

“Pacific Dawn will be far more than a floating hotel for Rugby World Cup 2011 with its nearly 200 balcony cabins and a host of exciting features, P&O Cruises’ first superliner; Pacific Dawn is complete with its own jogging track, pizzeria, nine bars and lounges, five superb restaurants, gym and a magnificent health spa. Pacific Dawn will be home for 2,000 passengers whose passion for Rugby will be satisfied both onboard and onshore during the course of the cruise.” said Ann Sherry AO, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises. Under proposed itinerary arrangements, Pacific Dawn will arrive in Auckland on October 4, 2011, after repositioning from Brisbane.

Package price starts from £5,295 for 20 nights with Gullivers Sports Travel or $4250 for 11 nights with We Love Rugby.