Crystal Cruises is offering an exclusive new dinner experience this December on the “Hobbiton” set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and new prequel film. The shoreside opportunity will debut just days after The Hobbit opens worldwide, when Crystal Symphony calls in Tauranga during a New Zealand/Australia holiday cruise beginning Dec. 20. The Crystal Adventure will also be offered on a Jan. 29 voyage through the region.
The two local cultures of New Zealand and “Middle Earth” will come alive, starting with a private, after-hours, guided tour of the village movie set. From Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit holes to the Brandywine Bridge, guests will enter buildings and learn about the efforts undertaken to build the site. On the grounds of the hobbit-frequented Green Dragon Inn, with a sunset view overlooking the lake and Mill, guests will enjoy local wine and beer, a traditional Kiwi barbeque and other fresh fare served by wait staff in Lord of the Rings garb.
The Hobbiton dinner and village exploration fee is $265/person. A second Lord of the Rings-themed Adventure is also offered on both cruises, visiting Edoras’ home, Mt. Potts Station and Lodge and New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Christchurch.
Between the two cruises, Crystal Symphony will sail variously through Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Picton, Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney, Melbourne, and Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds, with single and double overnights in port throughout.
The December voyage– which also offers holiday cuisine, festive décor, a Master Photographer capturing memories and a complimentary New Year’s Eve extravaganza in Sydney Harbor -- overnights in Auckland before sailing through Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney (double overnight), Melbourne (overnight), and Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 16-day Christmas/New Year’s sailing start from $8,505/person.
The January cruise also overnights in Auckland, then overnights in Tauranga, and proceeds through Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin and the Sounds before concluding with an overnight in Sydney. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 13-day sailing start from $4,480/person, with $2,500 in savings if booked by Dec. 28.
For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.