Those who would love to explore New Zealand in comfort and style will have the opportunity to do just that in 2013: Cunard Line has announced that their Queen Mary 2 will sail from Sydney on a grand New Zealand Royal Circumnavigation cruise holiday in March 2013. On its way the ship will dock at Christchurch, bring a visit to Milford Sound and visit Wellington and the Bay of Islands as well as Auckland.

Tour prices start at $3,329. This special itinerary forms part of the company’s new 2013 world cruise programme, with both Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 visiting Australia. On her world cruise lasting 104 nights, the QM2 will visit exciting cities such as Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Cairns and Brisbane.

Peter Shanks, the President of Cunard, says that the New Zealand decision was made after strong interest in their Australian circumnavigation tour in February 2012.

He 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.”

He added that it was clear that New Zealanders and Australians loved to have the opportunity to cruise on board the QE2.

Passengers will be able to choose from among a 12-night round-trip cruise that leaves Sydney on the 7th March or a 19-night voyage to New Zealand (Fremantle) that leaves on the same day.

Queen Victoria and QM2’s 2013 world cruise holidays are now on sale and passengers who book before the end of December will receive discounts as well as on board credits.