:ann sherry word... Ann Sherry Last
Ann Sherry is CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises locally and represents five other international cruise brands in this region. She is certainly no stranger to New Zealand having led Westpac's operations here for four years. With cruising having emerged as a remarkable growth industry in New Zealand, Ann will be in Auckland on December 21 for the official naming ceremony for Pacific Pearl, P&O Cruises' latest superliner.
... WHAT'S IN A NAME WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING A WINE?
There's a lot to be said for New Zealand wine generally but being one of three sisters, I'm drawn to the Three Sisters Vintage – so appropriately named, I think. The imaginative names given to wines are always a source of wonder and speculation about what inspired them. I know there is a great story behind the Three Sisters name - and the wine is fantastic too.
www.threesistersvintage.com
... BEST WEEKEND AWAY TO ESCAPE THE DAY-TO-DAY?
Well, the day-to-day isn't so bad when you're looking after a fleet of cruise ships and helping passengers have memorable holidays. But if I couldn't be enjoying time out on a P&O Cruises holiday or on one of Carnival Australia's global brand ships, I'd like to be at Lake Tarawera playing 'mind games' with the trout, even catching one or two for dinner, if possible. Just to make it even more special, I'd ask Anne Thorp to prepare the meal, and add her fresh food touch to give it her signature taste.
www.annethorp.co.nz
... LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE SECRET ABOUT AUSSIES AND KIWIS?
... WANT TO BE INSPIRED BY A GREAT SENSE OF KIWI COMMUNITY?
Every so often, we all need a 'fix' of undiluted inspiration to be reminded there are some truly wonderful people out there. Our P&O Cruises' Unsung Heroes program in conjunction with the New Zealand Herald has recognised some fabulously selfless people. Each one is a hero but I am thinking particularly of Dean Gifford, a Wellington police officer, who helps children at home and abroad. Dean regularly sends shipments of toys and medical supplies to the Solomon Islands but when he suffered a brain tumour, he started visiting kids in the children's ward and organising special events for the youngsters. Like all the Unsung Heroes, Dean is always thinking of someone else, never himself.
144 | www.hermagazine.co.nz
... SOMEWHERE THAT SHOULD BE ON EVERYONE'S PERSONAL 'BUCKET LIST' TO DO BEFORE THEY, WELL YOU KNOW?
It has to be spending a weekend at Waiheke Island in the exquisite Hauraki Gulf. Breakfast on the beach to start the day and then do as much or as little as you like, while taking in some of the most beautifully panoramic scenery imaginable. Walking, swimming and eating are on the 'agenda' for me there. I stay at Breakfast on the Beach and wake up to a view of the gulf ... perfect!
www.breakfastonthebeach.co.nz
I know there is supposed to be this fierce rivalry between Aussies and Kiwis and it certainly does exist in a big way on the rugby field. But no matter what you've heard, Australians can't get enough of New Zealand. We know it from the way the cruise industry is growing here. When American cruise visitor numbers fell with the global financial crisis, guess who took their place? Australians in their thousands! Seeing New Zealand by ship can't be beaten. And the favourite shore tours for our P&O Cruises' Aussie passengers are the 'Taieri Gorge by Train' tour from Dunedin, the 'Trans Alpine Experience' from Christchurch and the 'Antarctic Centre' and 'Underwater World' combination in Auckland.
www.pocruises.co.nz
