P&O ships to start cruising out of Auckland over winter, with 22 round trips planned next year

The Pacific Jewel will be based in Auckland next winter. Photo / Supplied.

Cruise line P&O will operate winter voyages out of Auckland next year.

The cruise line has unveiled details of its largest New Zealand programme yet, with 22 round-trip cruises in 2018.

P&O's Pacific Jewel will now be based in Auckland between March and August next year, offering itineraries ranging from themed three-night cruises to a 15-night cruise exploring the islands of Polynesia.

The additional five itineraries now on offer in July and August include a 10-night cruise to Tonga departing in July next year and visiting four ports, including Vava'u and Nuku'alofa, with fares from $1206 per person quad share.

Also on offer is a new four-night comedy cruise sailing one-way from Auckland to Brisbane in August with fares from $383 per person quad share.

The cruise line will carry a record 40,000 Kiwis in 2018, 11 per cent more than this year.

P&O president Sture Myrmell said the cruise line had seen very strong demand for its cruises from Auckland this year, including its first New Zealand spring season of cruising.

P&O's record season was expected to inject about $25 million into the local economy in guest and crew spending, provedoring and port charges.

The 70,310-tonne Pacific Jewel can carry 1950 passengers and features almost 200 private balcony rooms and mini-suites.

Figures on the number of New Zealanders cruising on all lines will be out tomorrow.