Cruise deals for Asia, Russia, Europe and South Africa

BRAD Crouch has sought out some of the best cruise deals from around the globe. Visit the historic sites of the Aegean or go on a Jewish cruise.

APT is offering a 16-day cruise which includes a visit to Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Asian delights

BOOK a 2014/15 holiday to Vietnam and Cambodia with APT and fly for free, including taxes. For example the 16-day Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery trip from Hanoi to Angkor Wat via Halong Bay, Saigon, Lower Mekong and Siem Reap is priced from $5695 a person, twin share. APT's Signature Experiences include a luxurious three-day junk cruise on the waters of World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, Cu Chi tunnels, a Luke Nguyen-inspired degustation meal at Xu Restaurant in Saigon, an eight-day Lower Mekong cruise on the RV Amalotus and champagne at sunrise at Angkor Wat. The deal, available on all trips of 16 days or more, includes air taxes of up to $550 and is valid until September 30.

Ph 1300 278 278 or see aptouring.com.au

Treasures of Russia

TRAVELMARVEL is offering free flights with 2014 Russian river cruises (taxes extra) on bookings made before November 30. For example, the 12-day Treasures of Russia river cruise exploring the country's waterways from Moscow to St Petersburg is priced from $4995 a person, twin share, with 32 meals, selected drinks during dinner, all sightseeing, the chance to explore seven different towns, villages and cities with an expert guide, including transfers, port charges and tipping.

Ph 1300 300 036 or see travelmarvel.com.au

Turkish odyssey

HISTORY buffs might like to explore a world of ancient civilisations aboard Voyages to Antiquity's small ship MV Aegean Odyssey on a 26-night Istanbul return itinerary departing on September 11 next year. The trip includes Istanbul, Italy's Renaissance history, the coastlands of Turkey, visits to ancient Troy, Delos, the hilltop Acropolis of Pergamon, the ruins of Ephesus and the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete. If booked by October 31 the $11,350 a person cost includes airfares, two nights pre cruise in Istanbul plus sightseeing, 24-night cruise and selected guided shore excursions as well as expert lectures, drinks with dinner on board and transfers.

See cruising.com.au

Festive specials

IF you are thinking of spending Christmas on the water, Silversea has festive cruises in South America, the Caribbean, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand all departing shortly before Christmas Day. Silver Cloud will sail from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago) on a 16-day adventure taking in the Chilean fjords, ports in Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Chile, and sailing around Cape Horn, with fares from $9450 a person, twin share. Silver Wind has a 14-day voyage round-trip from Cape Town calling at Port Elizabeth and Durban, with overnight stays in Richards Bay and Cape Town, fares from $6750 a person, twin share. Silver Shadow has a 15-day Australia-New Zealand cruise priced from $7650 a person, twin share, while Silver Spirit has a 14-day round-trip Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale priced from $7450 a person, twin share.

Ph 1300 306 872 or see silversea.com

Christmas credits

FOR another Christmas inspiration, Royal Caribbean is offering up to $200 on-board credits a stateroom on all its cruises departing between December 18-31 for five nights or longer. Also, guests who book an oceanview stateroom on the nine-night South Pacific and Fiji Christmas cruise on Voyager of the Seas departing December 18 priced from $2199 a person, twin share, will receive a free upgrade to a balcony stateroom. The offers apply to new bookings made by July 31.

Ph 1800 754500 or see royalcaribbean.com.au

Jewish experience

JEWISH author and lecturer Inge Auerbacher will join Avalon Waterways annual Jewish Heritage Cruise this October to share her account of life as a child in Germany during World War II including Kristallnacht and imprisonment in a concentration camp. She has authored six books on her experience. As a guest lecturer on the 13-day Jewish-themed cruise, Auerbacher will share her story as travellers discover European monuments, museums and traditions significant to Jewish history. Cruising the Danube from Budapest to Prague, the itinerary includes visits to Europe's largest synagogue, Prague's Josefov (Jewish Quarter), the remains of ancient synagogues beneath Neupfarrplatz in Regensberg, Nuremberg sightseeing, an optional excursion to the Salzburg synagogue and the WWII Jewish ghetto of Terezin. The cruise departs on October 24 and is priced from $3949 a person, twin share.

Ph 1300 230234 or see avalonwaterways.com.au