Amber Lawrence is one of Australia’s leading female country singers. She has been awarded 6 Golden Guitars, her most recent being for Female Artist of the Year, at the 2023 Awards in Tamworth. She has also been inducted into the prestigious Galaxy of Stars, alongside legends such as Kasey Chambers and Lee Kernaghan. Amber has released 7 studio albums and 3 children’s albums. She has entertained the troops in Afghanistan, The Sinai & East Timor, and she considers these performances to be among the most rewarding moments in her career.
With stunning, heartfelt vocals, beautifully crafted songs, and world-class performances, there are few female voices in Australia to rival the class and style of Lyn Bowtell. An innovative songwriter, Lyn defies easy classification. With influences reaching from pure country to blues, jazz and pop, Lyn has her own distinctive voice and musical identity. Lyn is a ten-time Golden Guitar winner, Toyota Star Maker winner, MO award winner, and is the Artistic Director of the CMAA Academy of Country Music.
Craig Giles is one of Australia’s most popular entertainers. His rich singing voice, dynamic stage presence, and friendly personality have earned him a place as one of the top artists in Australian country music, rock ‘n’ roll, and rockabilly. He performs Australia wide, and has performed in America, Europe and New Zealand and on many music cruises. He has many successful albums, hit singles, and music industry awards to his credit. www.craigiles.com
The Crosby Sisters is an Australian country music duo consisting of Jodie and Kelly Crosby, from Tamworth. They are known for their outstanding vocal harmonies. In 2001 they won the Vocal Group or Duo of the Year Golden Guitar at the Country Music Awards in Tamworth. They have opened concerts and toured with many international stars, including Dr Hook, Charley Pride and Foster & Allen. They rate a tour with Slim Dusty as one of the highlights of their career.
Dave Prior is an outstanding Country singer, songwriter and comedian, from South Australia. For many years he worked in the commercial radio industry, as an announcer, program director and station manager. However, a mid-life career change saw him working as a singer/comedian, including touring with Adam Harvey, Doug Walters (cricketer), and Rodney Vincent. Dave has released many CDs, including an outstanding Merle Haggard tribute CD, Silver Wings and Haggard Things.
Gregory North is one of Australia’s finest, and funniest, bush poetry performers. He was the male Australian bush poetry performance champion in 2008, 2009 & 2010. He performs traditional Australian material in his own quirky, humorous, modern style. His recitals of Banjo Paterson’s The Man from Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow are unique, clever, and hilarious. Since 2003 he has travelled Australia, performing bush poetry.
Andy Toombs. Andy will be our bass player on the cruise, backing all our featured artists that require backing. Andy is currently based in the Northern Territory, having travelled and toured alongside some of Australia’s most respected music performers, including Kasey Chambers, Dave Gleeson (lead singer with The Screaming Jets) and Troy Cassar-Daley. Andy is an outstanding guitar player, bass player, & singer.
John was a secondary school music teacher for 23 years (taught Kylie Minogue). He and his twin brother, Graeme, perform as The Howie Brothers. John has been leading successful music tours for over 25 years.
DECK
PLANS
The Celebrity Edge stands as a pinnacle of modern luxury cruising, introducing a paradigm shift in design and experience. This innovative vessel, crafted by Celebrity Cruises, showcases a striking exterior with the iconic “Magic Carpet,” a floating platform that redefines onboard versatility. Inside, passengers are treated to spacious staterooms with Infinite Verandas, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Culinary excellence takes centre stage with diverse dining options curated by renowned chefs. The ship offers a myriad of entertainment, from theatres to a Rooftop Garden, providing a harmonious balance of relaxation and excitement.
During the day casual clothing is typical, although shorts and swimwear are not permitted in the formal restaurants. There are four nights at sea classified as formal for dress purposes. During the evening, you may like to dress in a dinner suit or dark suit for gentlemen and eveningwear for ladies for the main restaurants. Smart casual attire is required in the public lounges and restaurants.
About a third of people on the cruise travel alone. We will match people up in twin-share cabins when available, saving you the single supplement. John Howie will be looking after you, to ensure you are not left out. There will be group activities almost every day
Eight fabulous 1 hour country music concerts (one will be a bush poetry concert), plus 8 Pre-Dinner Drinks music sessions (one will be a bush poetry session), all available only to those who book on the Country Music Cruise to New Zealand.. The cruise is fully escorted and will be a great fun holiday with plenty of activities. Each evening you will dine with the group at our reserved tables. You will meet an interesting group of people and have a fabulous time.
The John Howie escorted New Zealand Music Cruise represents amazing value. There are no additional extras; port and handling charges, cruise taxes and gratuities are included in the one great price.
VIEW ITINERARY DAY 1 Tuesday 18 November, 2025
Departure
Afternoon: Board Celebrity Edge (sails at 6.45pm). Be on deck as we cruise spectacular Sydney Harbour.
Evening: Attend a colourful Broadway type show in the ship’s impressive main auditorium.
DAY 2 Wednesday 19 November, 2025
Cruising Tasman Sea
Our first day at sea. Morning: Free time for you to explore and enjoy the fantastic facilities and many
activities available on Celebrity Edge. Afternoon: Enjoy our 1st exclusive on-board concert, featuring
Craig Giles. Evening: We formally welcome our tour group with a Welcome Aboard Drinks Party. This
will be an excellent opportunity for you to meet and chat with our exclusive cruise performers, tour
managers and other tour group members.
DAY 3 Thursday 20 November, 2025 Cruising Tasman Sea
Morning: Enjoy our 2nd exclusive on-board concert, featuring outstanding bush poet, Gregory North.
Afternoon: Enjoy our 3rd exclusive on-board concert, featuring The Crosby Sisters. Evening: Enjoy our
1st exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring Amber Lawrence. Every evening enjoy a
fabulous group dinner in one of the ship’s opulent dining rooms.
DAY 4 Friday 21 November, 2025 Fiordland National Park
Today we enjoy scenic cruising in Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. This south-west part of the
South Island is one of the most beautiful wilderness regions in the world. Enjoy amazing scenery as
we sail into these spectacular Sounds. Morning: Enjoy a special Music Industry Forum (question &
answer session) with Amber Lawrence, Craig Giles, The Crosby Sisters and Gregory North. They will
give us some insights into their lives as entertainers and share some wonderful stories. Afternoon:
Enjoy our 4th exclusive on-board concert, featuring Amber Lawrence. Evening: Enjoy our 2nd exclusive
Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring Gregory North.
DAY 5 Saturday 22 November, 2025
Dunedin
We arrive in the city of Dunedin, at approx. 8am. Originally founded by Scottish settlers and known as
the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin has many beautifully preserved historic buildings, including the
impressive Dunedin Railway Station (1906) and the beautiful Jacobean style Olveston House (1904-6),
which contains a treasure trove of art and antiques. You will have free time, today, to explore Dunedin
and the nearby Otago Peninsula at your leisure. Celebrity Edge sails at 6pm. Evening: Back on the ship,
enjoy our 3rd exclusive Pre-dinner Drinks session, featuring Craig Giles.
DAY 6 Sunday 23 November, 2025
Christchurch
Today we visit Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city, arriving approx 8am. Christchurch is
considered a very ‘English’ city, with lovely parks & gardens and flat-bottomed punts gliding on
the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. Nearby is the spectacular Banks Peninsula,
including the village of Akaroa. Originally founded by the French, this charming town still has a
distinctly French ambience. You will have free time, today, to explore Christchurch and surrounding
region at your leisure. Celebrity Edge sails at 6pm. Evening: Back on the ship, enjoy our 4th Pre-Dinner
Drinks music session, featuring The Crosby Sisters.
DAY 7 Monday 24 November, 2025
At Sea
Explore the ship, participate in its many activities, & browse in the on-board designer boutiques.
Morning: Enjoy our 5th exclusive on-board concert, featuring Craig Giles. Afternoon: Our 2nd Music
Industry Forum (question & answer session), with Lyn Bowtell, Craig Giles, Dave Prior and The Crosby
Sisters. Your chance to ask our exclusive artists (2nd half of cruise) questions about their music careers.
Evening: Our 5th exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring Dave Prior.
DAY 8 Tuesday 25 November, 2025
Tauranga/Rotorua
8am: Arrive in Tauranga, a thriving port city on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Travel by
coach to the city of Rotorua, famous for its Maori culture & geothermal activity. If possible, view the
eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser. We then visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where you will see
incredible geothermal displays, including boiling mud pools, steaming craters, and amazing coloured
lakes/terraces. Afternoon: Sightseeing coach tour of Rotorua. See beautiful Elizabethan-style Bath
House, and have free time for shopping, before returning to Tauranga. Celebrity Edge sails at 7.15pm.
DAY 9 Wednesday 26 November, 2025
Auckland
6.30am: Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Known as the ‘city of sails’, Auckland is blessed
with a spectacular waterfront, a magnificent skyline, and beautiful beaches. Auckland Domain, the
city’s oldest park, is home to the excellent Auckland War Memorial Museum, and the outstanding
Domain Wintergardens (a complex of gardens including 2 large glasshouses). You will have free time,
today, to explore Auckland at your leisure. Afternoon: Enjoy an exclusive on-shore Afternoon Drinks
performance, in Auckland, featuring one of New Zealand’s outstanding country music acts. Afternoon
drinks, own expense. Celebrity Edge sails at 8pm.
DAY 10 Thursday 27 November, 2025
Bay of Islands
7am: Arrive in the spectacular Bay of Islands, one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand (the bay
is dotted with 150 scenic islands). Tender boats will take us to the main town, Paihia. You will have free
time, today, to explore the Bay of Islands area at your leisure. You may wish to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the treaty between settlers and Maoris was signed in 1840. You may also like to catch
a ferry over to the charming and historic village of Russell. Russell, NZ’s first European settlement, was
for many years a notorious whaler, sealer and escaped convict town. Celebrity Edge sails at 4.30pm.
Evening: Enjoy our 6th exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring Lyn Bowtell.
DAY 11 Friday 28 November, 2025
Cruising Tasman Sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea. Morning: Enjoy our 6th exclusive on-board concert, featuring The Crosby
Sisters. Afternoon: Enjoy our 7th exclusive on-board concert, featuring Dave Prior. Evening: Enjoy our
7th exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring Craig Giles.
DAY 12 Saturday 29 November, 2025
Cruising Tasman Sea
Today you are free to enjoy the wonderful facilities and many activities available aboard Celebrity
Edge. Morning: Enjoy an exclusive fun-filled Country Music Quiz. Excellent prizes for the winning
teams! Afternoon: Enjoy our 8th exclusive on-board concert, featuring Lyn Bowtell. Evening: Enjoy our
final exclusive Pre-Dinner Drinks music session, featuring The Crosby Sisters and our other ‘2nd half
of cruise’ artists.
DAY 13 Sunday 30 November, 2025 Sydney
Tour members will disembark the ship this morning and tour arrangements conclude.
| Grade | Description | Deck | Twin Fare | Single Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DI | Deluxe Inside | 7,8,9,11 | AU$6,495 | AU$9,860 |
| P1 | Deluxe Porthole with Balcony | 7,8,9 | AU$7,695 | AU$12,250 |
| E3 | Edge with Infinite Balcony (Partial) | 6,7,8 | AU$7,750 | AU$12,295 |
| E2 | Edge with Infinite Balcony | 6,7,8 | AU$7,850 | AU$12,450 |
| E1 | Prime Edge with Infinite Balcony | 7,8,9 | AU$7,895 | AU$12,595 |
| C2 | Concierge Class with Balcony | 9,10,11,12 | AU$8,050 | AU$12,850 |
| C1 | Concierge Class with Balcony | 11,12 | AU$8,150 | AU$13,000 |
| Included port & handling charges and taxes | AU$1,090 | AU$1,690 | ||
All cabins are subject to cabin availability. Please call for details, fares and information on other cabin categories on 1800 630 343.
It is important that all tour participants have a basic level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd (ABN 64 005 817
078) is the tour organiser. Celebrity Edge is operated by Celebrity
Cruises Lines and New Zealand music cruise arrangements are subject
to the terms and conditions and general information detailed in the
Celebrity Cruises brochure /website. All passengers must complete
the Celebrity Cruises online check-in and Travelrite International
booking form.
Deposit and Payment
A non-refundable deposit of $900 per
passenger should be sent with a completed Travelrite International
booking form that lists your requested cabin category. As soon as the
booking is confirmed, (usually within 24 hours), a cruise confirmation
advice will be posted to the client. The confirmation advice will contain
all details. Final payments are due to be paid to Travelrite International
90 days prior to the commencement of the New Zealand music cruise. A
1.5% administration fee applies to payments by credit card.
Cancellation ChargesNumber of days before sailing.
| Days prior to Departure | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| Over 90 days | $900 |
| 90 days or less | 100% of full fare |
| Non appearance/no written notice | 100% of full fare |
Refunds
This cruise is based on arrangements which do not allow
for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accommodation, meals or
other services not utilised after the respective tour has commenced.
Travel Documents
All passengers will require a valid passport. If
not an Australian passport holder, check with Travelrite International
for visa requirements.
Travel Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is highly recomm
ended to cover cruise members for the consequences of unforeseen
events during the cruise and for cancellation fees that could result
from events such as illness, accident, death etc.
Baggage
Passengers qualify for a 20kg free baggage allowance on
flights to join or return from the cruise.
Minimum Tour Numbers
The cruise arrangements have been
made on the basis of a minimum number of passengers travelling.
In the event that less than the required number of passengers
have confirmed their booking 90 days from the date of departure, Travelrite International reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a
full refund of monies paid, or offer arrangements to proceed with the
tour at a modified fare.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibilities
Travelrite International Pty Ltd is the tour
organiser. Travelrite International Pty Ltd, its agents, officers, affiliates,
and/or suppliers of services, pursuant to or in connection with these fly/
cruises, shall act only as agents in making arrange-ments for hotels,
transportation, including transportation by ship, restaurants, or any
other service and do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury,
damage, death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an
act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier, restaurant, company
or person rendering any services included in fly/cruises, terrorism,
acts of God, acts of government or any other authorities. Further, no
responsibilities are accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness,
pilferage, labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine,
government restraints, weather or other causes beyond our control.
No responsibility is accepted for any additional expense, omission,
delays, re-routing or acts of any government authority. Baggage is at
owners’ risk throughout the fly/ cruise. The passage contract between
the carriers concerned when issued, shall constitute the sole contract
between the carriers and the purchasers of these fly/cruises and/or the
passengers. The right is reserved to withdraw any fly/cruise and/or make
such changes in the fly/cruise as may be found desirable or necessary for
the convenience of the parties and the proper carrying out of the fly/
cruise. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Victoria, Australia and any action must be undertaken in the
State of Victoria. Attention is also directed to the terms and conditions
of the fly/cruise passage contract with Princess Cruises, detailed on
the back of the reservation form. If you do not have a copy of this form
please contact us and we will send one to you.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travelrite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accomm odation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite International may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite International reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite International any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite International in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a booking form
and sending it with a non-refundable deposit of $900 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
www.travelrite.com.au
www.musictours.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite International Pty
Ltd (ABN 64 005 817 078) is a well-established family-owned business
that’s been operating in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for more than
40 years. Travelrite International is a full member of the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), is fully Accredited with ATAS
(A10538) and IATA. As such they directly represent the major airlines
of the world and all major domestic and international hotel, tour and
transport operators.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
