Best cruise deals of the week

THIS week's best cruises include a long trip to England through the Suez Canal and various special packages for foodies onboard P+O ships.

Cruise deals Luke Mangan Escape

THIS week's best cruises include a long trip to England through the Suez Canal and various special packages for foodies onboard P+O ships.

- Taste life at sea

TWO of the biggest ships to call Australia home in the coming cruise season are offering one-night sampler voyages during their maiden season. For those who have not cruised previously, it is a great opportunity to test out life on the water while giving the huge floating resorts a once-over. After boarding starts about lunchtime in Sydney, guests can enjoy each ship's wide range of amenities for the afternoon before setting sail that evening with views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

After dinner in a grand restaurant, they can then enjoy entertainment in the theatre, adjourn to the casino, enjoy one of the many bars and lounges or just marvel at facilities that range from an ice-skating rink on Voyager to a real lawn rooftop on Solstice.

After a good night's sleep in their cabin, guests can enjoy breakfast as the ship returns to Sydney Harbour the following morning and disembarkation starts. Voyager of the Seas' one-night sampler cruise starts from $345 a person and departs Sydney on November 23 this year. Celebrity Solstice's one-night sampler cruise departs Sydney on December 9, with fares from $355 a person. 

Details: Ph 1800 754 500 or see www.royalcaribbean.com.au or www.celebritycruises.com.au 

- Special packages

P&O CRUISES has introduced a range of packages to make cruising even more memorable for passengers. The four packages, available on cruises of five days or more, provide select inclusions for people seeking to add a little romance to their trip, indulge their tastebuds or celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary or a birthday.

Priced from $159 a couple, the packages are available for pre-purchase before the cruise departs, with savings of at least 15 per cent of the retail price onboard.

Packages include:

Special Occasions: A bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, dinner at Salt Grill by Luke Mangan for two people, Ernest Hillier boxed chocolates, $50 onboard-spending credit a booking;

Romance: A bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, dinner at Salt Grill by Luke Mangan for two people, Ernest Hillier-boxed chocolates, a dozen roses, P&O Cruises teddy bear, framed portrait photo from the cruise;

Foodies: Dinner at Salt Grill by Luke Mangan for two people, P&O Cruises' cookbook, a bottle of Trout Valley Pinot Noir and Glandore Estate Chardonnay, $50 onboard-spending credit a booking;

Double the Fun (for groups of four to share): Dinner at Salt Grill by Luke Mangan for four people, a bottle of Tyrrell's Old Winery Rose and Dusky Sounds Sauvignon Blanc, $100 casino credit a booking. 

Details: Ph 13 24 94 or see pocruises.com.au 

- The long way home

FOR a European vacation with a twist, Cruise Express is offering a deal of two voyages totalling 99 nights with a break of 46 days for people to explore on their own. The first leg is a 53-night voyage on Sea Princess departing Sydney on May 20 next year, with calls at 22 ports and sailing through the Suez Canal.

The trip ends in Dover, England on July 12, when passengers will then have 46 days to spend as they wish before the journey home on Dawn Princess from Venice on August 26 next year for a 46-night voyage to Sydney calling at 18 ports. The two voyages are available from $20,998 a person, twin share, including $620 onboard credit a person. 

Details: Ph 1300 764 509 or see cruiseexpress.com.au