Onboard the highest rated* cruise ship to be based in Australasia August 3, 2010 - Celebrity Cruises has announced the cruise line's 2011-2012 Australia and New Zealand season for the most elegant superliner to be based in Australasia, Celebrity Century, and in a first for the cruise line, guests will have the opportunity to experience a rare 36 night circumnavigation voyage of Australia and New Zealand departing from Auckland.

The ship will make a total of nine sailings, comprising seven unique itineraries that range from 12 to 18-night cruises, calling at 30 ports in five countries. When she arrives in November 2011, it will be the first time in two years since the cruise line sailed in the region.

"The destinations and itineraries really show off the very best of this part of the world onboard one of the most beautiful ships to be based in the region," said Mark Kinchley, sales manager for Celebrity Cruises in New Zealand.

"With many cruises departing from Auckland we're delighted to now offer New Zealanders a new choice in premium cruising, sailing conveniently from their doorstep. Celebrity Cruises is a favourite around the world and is consistently recognised for its contemporary design, personal service and incredible dining options. We are excited to welcome Celebrity Cruises back to our waters and be able to invite New Zealanders to discover what makes this award-winning cruise line so special," he said.

New Zealanders will be able to depart from Auckland on selected sailings with Celebrity Century's programme including 12 and 13 night New Zealand cruises sailing between Auckland and Sydney. The cruise line offers maximised port visits on its New Zealand itineraries with fewer days at sea than any other comparable itinerary.

For the first time in the cruise brand's history, Celebrity Cruises will perform a circumnavigation sailing around Australia and New Zealand - departing from Auckland. This means it will be the first time that a Celebrity Cruises ship has called in at Geraldton, Broome, Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Albany and Bunbury.

Celebrity Cruises will also make a maiden call in Bali, Indonesia. On her maiden Australasian programme, Celebrity Century offers guests a selection of sailings which can be taken separately or joined together for an extended 'combination' voyage. Individual cruises range from 12 to 18 nights - combinable into voyages of 30 to 36 nights - departing from Sydney, Fremantle and Auckland.

Highlights are: Celebrity Century begins her programme with an 18-night Tahiti cruise from Honolulu to Sydney; From November 2011 to January 2012, Celebrity Century then sails four 12-night New Zealand cruises between Sydney and Auckland; Celebrity Century offers a special 13-night Christmas and New Year sailing from Sydney to Auckland; The season ends with Celebrity Century's 36-night circumnavigation of Australia with a pair of sailings that can be taken together or separately: an 18-night cruise from Auckland to Fremantle (featuring an overnight stay in Sydney) and an 18-night 'Top End' cruise from Fremantle to Sydney; and Celebrity Century then crosses the Pacific with an 18-night Tahiti cruise from Sydney to Honolulu.

Early birds can take advantage of some great offers - if they book by 31 December 2010, they can receive an early booking savings of up to AU$900 per person and onboard credit of up to US$250 per cabin on selected sailings. Prices for a 12-night New Zealand cruise departing Sydney on 30 November start from AUD$1,879 per person.

Offering 900 cabins, 45 per cent of which have balconies, the stylish Celebrity Century features great restaurants and bars, including the "cool" ice-topped Martini Bar; the massive 9,000 square foot AquaSpa offering almost every imaginable beauty and wellness treatment; a spectacular 1,000-seat theatre and the wonderful X-Club kids program for children aged three to 17.

Guests can also opt to stay in one of the 174 new Concierge Class balcony staterooms that come complete with fresh-cut flowers, a luxurious pillow menu and even personalised stationery.

* Berlitz Guide to Cruising 2010