Ten of the best cruise deals

BE QUICK to snap up these cruisy deals, taking you everywhere from Russia to Bora Bora to the Whitsunday Islands and beyond.

True North

BE QUICK to snap up these cruisy deals, taking you everywhere from Russia to Bora Bora to the Whitsunday Islands and beyond.

BROOME AND THE KIMBERLY

The Rowley Shores are perhaps the most exclusive coral environment in the world - less than 200 visitors a year are fortunate to give testimony to the brillance for this remote wilderness. True North offers guests enhanced levels of comfort and luxury including sundeck, observation lounge and alfresco bar.

This package in includes 5 nights in an Ocean Class Twin Cabin, all meals and non-alcoholic beveragets on board, daily activites and shore excursions (excluding scenic flights) from $4495 per person, twin share. Valid for departure 15, 20 and 25 September 2012.

More: see www.needtoescape.com or call 1300 551 669.

True North

MALAYSIA & THAILAND

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a hotel stay and cruise package in Malaysia and Thailand. Start with a four night stay for the price of two at the 5-star Traders Hotel Penang in a deluxe room, including full breakfast daily.

Then embark on a three night Superstar Libra Cruise via Krabi to Phuket in an inside stateroom, including all meals (at selected restaurants) and entertainment onboard.  Book by July 29 for departures on Jul 31, Aug 14, Aug 28 or September 25, subject to availability. 

More: see www.lastminute.com.au/holidays

Krabi

SOUTHERN YASAWA ISLANDS

On this short introduction to Fiji with Captain Cook Cruises you'll discover the beauty of the Southern Yasawa Island Group and the overwhelming friendly warmth of its people. The pristine islands of Waya, Naviti and Viwa boast some of the most beautiful beaches, coral reefs and sand cays in Fiji. On the journey through the Southern Yasawa Islands you'll experience a traditional village sevusevu ceremony and meet the children of an island school. Music and song is an integral part of Fijian life and the special choral church service on Sunday is an unforgettable experience. Swimming, snorkelling, beach combing and glass bottom boat tours complete your daily list of activities giving you the freedom to do as much or as little as you like.

The package includes 3 nights in a twin share cabin, all meals daily, tea and coffee, snorkeling equipment, onboard entertainment, guided island, village and school tours, snorkeling and glass bottom boat tours, tropilca island lovo feast and kava ceremony, return transfers from selected Nadi accommodation and fuel surcharges. Priced from $84 per person twin share. Valid for departure Saturdays until 31 March 2011, black out dates apply.

More: See www.travelpoint.com.au or call 1800 TRAVEL (872 835)

Captain Cook MV Reef

RUSSIA

Uniworld has announced amazing savings on its 2011 European and Russian river cruise program when booked and deposited before September 6, 2011. Take advantage of these savings and experience the magic of Russia on the new 13-day Imperial Waterways of Russia. Discover the rich history and traditions of Russia as you sail Europe's longest and largest waterway, the Volga. Discover Moscow, see Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral. Enjoy some of Russia's most beautiful riverside cities like Uglich and Yaroslavl, the elegant architecture and magnificence of St Petersburg as well as the music, ballet, scenery and culture of Russia en route. Plus, with Uniworld you'll enjoy the luxury of cruising onboard its spectacular new five-star ship, the River Victoria and one highly-trained crew member for every three guests, world-class cuisine.

Originally priced from $4365 per person, twin share, save up to $600 per couple before 6 September. Price includes cruise, all meals onboard, entertainment onboard, extensive sightseeing and transfers on arrival and departure days. Departures available until September 29, 2011. Savings subject to availability.

More: visit www.uniworldcruises.com.au or see your travel agent

Uniworld

SOUTH PACIFIC

Cruise the clear blue waters of the South Pacific on a fly-stay-cruise package taking in the tropical delights of Hawaii, Tahiti and French Polynesia with Cruiseabout.
 
Flying from Sydney to Honolulu for three nights pre-cruise, passengers will spend 19 nights aboard the magnificent Celebrity Century stopping at Lahaina Maui and Papeete. The cruise then heads to French Polynesia for stops in Moorea and Raiatea as well as Bora Bora before a final destination of Sydney.
 
Prices start at $2,789 per person twin share including 19 nights' accommodation onboard the Celebrity Century, all main meals and entertainment onboard, port charges, government fees and shipboard gratuities. Three nights pre-cruise accommodation at the Miramar in Honolulu, one way airfare from Sydney to Honolulu flying JetStar and a Pearl Harbour and City day tour for two people are also included.
 
This offer is available until July 31, 2011, unless sold out, for travel on November 11, 2011. Price is subject to change and availability at the time of booking.
 
More: Call 1300 450 133 or see www.cruiseabout.com.au

Bora Bora

FIJI

Spend seven days cruising the Fiji islands for the price of four with this holiday package. Fly with Virgin Australia to Nadi and spend one night in Lautoka at First Landing Beach Resort. You will then stay onboard the Yasawa Islands Blue Lagoon Cruise for seven days in a hibiscus deck cabin.

Priced from $1,879 per person, it includes all meals throughout the cruise including theme dinners, morning & afternoon tea and onboard entertainment.  Highlights include a traditional Fijian village visit, traditional dances, swimming in crystal clear waters, Lovo Feast and beach party, private island glass bottom boat rides, snorkelling, and more! Book by July 29 for travel from July 23 to March 31, 2012, subject to availability. 

More: see www.lastminute.com.au/holidays

Fiji

CARRIBEAN

Indulge with a cruise through the Caribbean, the ultimate outdoor playground, featuring white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and gorgeous islands.  Fly with Delta Airlines to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and then embark on a seven night Western Caribbean Cruise travelling through Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico before heading back to Florida.

Priced from $2,629 per person, it includes most meals, some beverage and majority of the onboard entertainment options on offer. For departure November 26, subject to change and availability.

More: see www.lastminute.com.au/holidays

Caribbean cruise

ARABIAN PENINSULA

Spend seven nights cruising around the stunning Arabian Peninsula and bring a friend for half price with Cruiseabout.

Passengers can indulge in the luxury Italian styling and state of the art facilities aboard MSC Lirica and take in the amazing sights of the region with stops in Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Fujairah, Bahrain and Dubai from $715 per person, twin share. Travellers who are among the first 100 passengers to book will also receive a bonus 15 per cent discount off Allegro Drinks package for the duration of the cruise.
 
Price includes seven nights' accommodation in a twin share inside cabin, half price fare for a second traveler, all main meals and entertainment onboard and port charges. Cabin upgrades start at $879 per person twin share for outside category accommodation and $1,289 for a balcony suite cabin. This offer is available until August 31, 2011, unless sold out, for travel on February 26, 2012. Price is subject to change and availability at the time of booking.
 
More: Call 1300 450 133 or see www.cruiseabout.com.au

Abu Dhabi

THE WHITSUNDAYS

Imagine experiencing all the splendor of the Great Barrier Reef at night. Encompassing two days and one night at Reefworld, Reefsleep accommodates a maximum of 6 guests only and allows you to enjoy the solitude and tranquility of the Great Barrier Reef in a decidedly individual environment. Enjoy the serenity of essentially being one of the only people snorkeling and scuba diving the Reef, view the nocturnal activities of the many colorful reef fish and sensational coral formations after canapés and champagne on sunset, and enjoy an alfresco dinner surrounded only by the reef systems and a blanket of stars above.

Inclues 2 full days at Reefworld, 1 scuba dive or guided snorkeling tour, private lockers and showers, snorkeling equipment, semi sub coral viewing, underwater viewing chamber, courtesy pick up from Hamilton Island, informative talk from Reef Interpreter, environmental management charge and taxes; 1 alfresco dinner including wine, breakfast, 2 bbq lunches and morning and afternoon tea The only experience of its kind in Australia could be yours from $650 per person twin share. Valid for travel until 31 March 2012, black out dates apply.

More: See www.sunloverholidays.com.au

Fantasea - Reefworld

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Parents looking for an amazing holiday this Christmas can treat the family to a cruise through South East Asia and save over $900 on fares for children under 12 years with Escape Travel.  Cruising aboard the SuperStar Virgo, passengers can take in five nights of authentic Asian culture with visits to some of the best destinations in the region including Singapore, Penang, Phuket and Malacca. 
 
Prices start at $1,289 per person twin share for adults and a tax only charge of $289 for children under 12 who share the same cabin as two full paying adults. Prices include five nights accommodation aboard the SuperStar Virgo with a free upgrade to a category CC ocean view cabin, all main meals and entertainment onboard with the exception of specialty restaurants, port charges and government fees.
 
This offer is available until July 31, 2011, unless sold out, for departure on December 25, 2011. Prices are subject to change and availability.
 
More: Call 1300 799 783 or visit www.escapetravel.com.au

SuperStar Virgo