Set sail with great cruise deals

ALASKA's scenery and wildlife, the warm seas of the Pacific and New Zealand's fjords - here are the best options for a holiday with a difference.

cruise alaska nov 3 escape

ALASKA's scenery and wildlife, the warm seas of the Pacific and New Zealand's fjords - here are the best options for a holiday with a difference.

Explore in style

COMBINE adventure with luxury on one of 15 all-inclusive Silversea cruises exploring Alaska from May to September next year.

The small size of the 382-guest Silver Shadow allows it to take guests up close to Alaska's majestic scenery, abundant wildlife, native culture and goldrush history.

A seven-day sailing between Seward and Vancouver will see Silver Shadow cruise the Inside Passage with visits to Ketchikan, Alaska's capital Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, as well as spectacular Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier.

Fares start from $3549 a person, twin share, with 12 sailings on offer between May and September.

Alternatively, enjoy a longer 11-day round trip voyage from Vancouver in July next year, which includes additional visits to the Canadian ports of Prince Rupert and Victoria on Vancouver Island, as well as Wrangell, Alaska. Fares start from $5949 a person, double occupancy. 

Ph 1300 306 872 or see silversea.com

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Warm welcome

CRUISE the warm seas of New Caledonia and Vanuatu on a cruise aboard Holland America Line's Oosterdam, visiting the Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Port Vila, Noumea and Lifou on an 11-night cruise priced from $999 a person, twin share.

The ship offers three restaurants, fitness centre, an internet cafe, a casino, pool and spa facilities, library, theatre, bars and lounges.

Upgrades are available to an outside cabin from $1099 a person, twin share or to a balcony cabin from $1299 a person, twin share, available for sale until November 15, for the cruise departing from Sydney on January 26 next year. 

Ph 1300 450 133 or see cruiseabout.com.au

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Fabulous fjords

SAIL through the fjords of New Zealand in modern luxury with Celebrity Cruises on a new 20-night package priced from $2599.

The journey starts on January 27 next year in Auckland and includes a one-night stay at the Quadrant Hotel before boarding the Celebrity Solstice for an 18-night voyage visiting Tauranga, Akaroa, Dunedin and the dramatic scenery of Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.

The cruise continues to Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide and finishes in Perth. A flight to Auckland, a one-night post-cruise stay in Perth at the Duxton Hotel, and all port fees and taxes are included.

Departures from Brisbane are from $2599 a person twin share, including the domestic flight home from Perth if required. 

Ph 1300 596 345 or see cruise1st.com.au

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Expanded offerings

P&O Cruises' 2014 holiday program includes the line's first visits to Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln and Robe, as well as new cruises from Melbourne and a second ship sailing from Brisbane.

Also on offer are more cruises to the spectacular destinations of Papua New Guinea and Queensland's Moreton Island, following their debut in the cruise line's 2013 schedule.

The new winter program features 75 different cruises from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland.

For the first time, Pacific Jewel will join sister ship Pacific Dawn in Brisbane, offering 34 departures from Queensland over winter.

Meanwhile Pacific Pearl will cruise from Melbourne for the first time, while also offering sailings from Sydney and Auckland.

The Melbourne itineraries will include P&O Cruises' maiden visits to Kangaroo Island, Robe and Port Lincoln plus a return to Adelaide with prices starting from $849 a person, quad share, for a six-night round-trip cruise departing April 18, 2014.

Holiday-makers can also enjoy a five-night cruise to the Apple Isle from Melbourne, departing April 24, 2014, and visiting Burnie, Port Arthur and Hobart, priced from $649 a person, quad share. 

Ph 13 24 94 or see pocruises.com.au

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Mississippi magic

AVALON Waterways has added the mighty Mississippi to its collection of luxury river cruises, introducing two new itineraries on America's greatest waterway.

To be operated by the largest river steamboat ever built, the 127m American Queen, the new itineraries offer journeys through the American heartland between March and December next year.

The two American Queen itineraries  - the first offered by Avalon in North America  - are a 12-day journey from Nashville to New Orleans, travelling through Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, priced from $4461 a person, twin share, for departures from March to December; and an 11-day journey from Chicago to St Paul, travelling through Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota, priced from $4101 a person, twin share, with departures in September-October next year.

With distinctive tiered balconies and traditional paddlewheel, the six-deck American Queen combines Victorian charm with modern luxury, including three dining options, spa, pool, fitness centre, several lounges and bars.

Ph 1300 230 234 or see avalonwaterways.com.au

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Jaunt with George

JOIN George Negus on an exploration cruise through the remote wilderness of the Kimberley. Travelling from May 2-15 next year, this trip is priced from $9495 a person, twin share.

It includes one night's accommodation in Darwin with breakfast and dinner, two nights in Broome at the Cable Beach Resort with breakfast and one dinner, cocktails on Cable Beach in Broome, 10 nights aboard the Oceanic Discoverer including all meals and shore excursions as listed in the cruise's itinerary.

Ph 1800 630 343 or see travelrite.com.au