Best cruise deals of the week
A ROUND the world trip taking in Europe's sights and a cruise visiting exotic ports along the Mekong River in Asia are some of the highlights this week.
A ROUND the world trip and exotic ports along the Mekong River in Asia are some of the highlights this week.
-- Fly and float
APT'S 2013 18-day Romantic Seine and Rhine river cruise holiday costs from $9695 a person, twin share, which includes cruising, a three-night stay at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe, 44 meals, visits to 14 towns, villages and cities, transfers, port charges and tipping, with "free return flight" deals for bookings before September 30 this year.
The free-flights deal also applies to another itinerary, the 21-day Rhine, Rhone and Moselle Treasures holiday. It costs from $10,995 and includes three nights in Paris, 48 meals, cruising on three of Europe's most beautiful rivers, visits to 21 towns, villages and cities, transfers, port charges and tipping.
Ph 1300 229 804 or see aptouring.com.au
-- Dine on Rhine
VIKING is offering 13 itineraries next year ranging from eight to 29 days, the majority in Europe, such as the new 11-day Rhine Discovery, from $3995 a person, twin share, which is an eight-day Rhine River cruise through Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland, with hotel nights in Lucerne and Zurich before and after to allow more time for exploration. Viking has a $1000 discount a couple for selected European, Russian and China 2013 trips booked by July 31 this year, and a $995 return airfare offer for European cruises.
Ph 1800 829 138 or see vikingrivercruises.com.au
-- Mekong revealed
VISIT a host of exotic ports along the Mekong River on Cruiseco's new Cruiseco Adventurer. An 11-night fly, cruise and stay package starts at $4499 a person, twin share, with early booking discounts, including two nights each in Saigon and Siem Reap, seven-night cruise and guided sightseeing.See cruising.com.au
-- Add US and Asia
AVALON Waterways has released an around-the-world holiday package combining stopovers in New York and Asia with a 15-day river cruise through Europe. Offering savings of up to $1618 a person on regular prices, the 23-day package includes round-world airfares with Star Alliance, a 15-day Avalon Waterways river cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam, a four-day stopover in New York and a four-day stopover in either Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok.
The package costs from $11,142 a person, twin share, from Sydney. Available for travel between April 1 and December 30 next year, it is on sale until September 30 this year or until sold out. Avalon also is offering earlybird savings on other 2013 European river cruises.
Ph 1300 230 234 or see www.avalonwaterways.com.au
Sparkling Europe Scenic Tours deals include the Paris to Prague and Jewels of Europe cruise, a 21-day tour from Paris to Prague, including the 15-day Jewels of Europe cruise, priced from $9630 a person, twin share.
Ph 1300 723 642 or see
scenictours.com.au