Best cruise deals of the week
THIS week's cruise deals include a Russian Arctic explorer trip, a Pearls of the Orient special and a fire, ice and rock trail holiday from Alaska to Hawaii.
WE'VE searched high and low and found five of the best cruise deals this week.
-- Cool northern spots
VISIT the little-known Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land in the Russian Arctic on Aurora Expeditions' 14-day Voyage to the End of the Earth, departing September 8 this year.
The Akademik Shokalskiy carries up to 54 passengers, providing intimate exploration of this region. The Novaya Zemlya archipelago comprises one large island and many small, stretching 1000km in an elongated crescent between the Barents and Kara seas.
Franz Josef Land is an archipelago of 191 ice-covered islands, the planet's last major landmass to be discovered and the modern-day realm of the polar bear.
The package includes one night's accommodation in Murmansk pre-voyage, along with airport transfers and a Murmansk city tour. Aurora is offering a discount deal, with prices from $US4445 ($A4330).
See auroraexpeditions.com.au
-- Highlights of Asia
THE Great Wall of China, Ming Tombs and a train trip along Thailand's infamous Death Railway over the River Kwai form part of a new, all-inclusive cruise-tour to Asia this October, hosted by Cruise Express.
Departing Australia October 3, the 23-night Pearls of the Orient tour includes return flights to Bangkok, three nights in Bangkok with local touring, including the Bridge Over the River Kwai day trip, and a flight on to Beijing, where passengers will spend three nights with local sightseeing including the Great Wall of China, Ming Tombs and a rickshaw ride through the city's back alleys.
Guests then board the 2600-passenger Diamond Princess in Beijing for a 16-night cruise back to Bangkok via China, Korea, Vietnam and Singapore, with shore tours included in the seven ports visited. The package costs from $6990 a person, twin share.
Ph 1300 764 509 or see cruiseexpress.com.au
-- Hot and cold
FROM the glaciers of Alaska to the volcanoes of Hawaii, a Fire, Ice & Rocky Rail Delight holiday covers plenty of ground, including the Rocky Mountains.
The trip starts with a flight from Sydney to Vancouver on September 1 this year, to embark on Celebrity Century for a seven-night Alaskan cruise taking in Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, the salmon village of Ketchikan and the Inside Passage.
A flight to Calgary follows for five days in the Rocky Mountains, including a trip on the famous Rocky Mountaineer, then a night in Vancouver before boarding Rhapsody of the Seas for an 11-night cruise to the Hawaiian islands.
Five days at sea allow plenty of time to enjoy the ship before sailing around Hawaii seeing sights including the active volcano Mt Kilaeua. A hotel night in Waikiki allows time to explore Diamond Head, the beaches or Pearl Harbor before flying home to Australia. The package is priced from $7289, valid until May 30.
Ph 1300 887 590 or see cruiseaway.com.au