Susan Gleeson of Taupo has won a cruise for two on the Queen Mary 2's maiden voyage from San Francisco to Auckland worth nearly $20,000.
Almost 20,000 entries were received in the competition but from the mountain of envelopes, Herald editor Tim Murphy drew Gleeson's entry. She hadcorrectly answered that Pago Pago in American Samoa was the ship's final port before Auckland, and the prize was hers.
"Oh, that is just so amazing," she said when told the news. "What fantastic news. It's just wonderful."
And who would she take with her. "Oh probably my husband. I think I should.
"As a matter of a fact when I sent the entry in we joked about what would happen if I won. I asked if he could get leave and he said, 'Oh, I think I might manage it'.
"But we didn't think for a minute that we really would win. It's incredible."
As a result Susan and Peter Gleeson will be among those on the Queen Mary 2 when the longest passenger liner in the world - but not the heaviest - enters Auckland for the first time on February 17.
Their prize includes:
Economy flights for two from Auckland to San Francisco.
Accommodation for one night in San Francisco.
Joining the Queen Mary 2 in San Francisco with accommodation in a premium balcony stateroom with private facilities, all onboard main meals and entertainment.
Cruising for 11 nights via Honolulu in the Hawaiian Islands and Pago Pago to Auckland.
* Further information
For information about cruising on the Queen Mary 2 call 0800 951 200, see your local travel agent or see website link below.
A 37-night cruise departing Fort Lauderdale January 10, arriving Auckland February 17 costs from $13,513 per person; 11 nights departing San Francisco February 5, arriving Auckland February 17 cost from $6831.
Fares are cruise only, based on twin interior staterooms, subject to availability and subject to conditions.
