The best cruise deals this week
A ROCK and roll cruise with gigs, dance classes and music quizzes, a Kimberley wilderness expedition and an Agatha Christie Nile package are three of the best offers.
A ROCK and roll cruise with gigs, dance classes and music quizzes, a Kimberley wilderness expedition and an Agatha Christie Nile package are three of the best offers.
Mysterious Nile
ADD a twist to a cruise on the Nile (pictured) with an A&K and Sanctuary Retreats cruise, paying homage to author Agatha Christie and her classic murder mystery Death on the Nile. On the anniversary of Christie's birthday, on September 15, guests on the luxurious Sanctuary Sun Boat III will visit many of the sights that feature in the story.
A 12-day Land of the Pharaohs Platinum tour, starting September 12 and featuring the seven-night cruise costs from $7100, twin share, for the first person, companion travels free.
Ph 1300 851 800 or see abercrombiekent.com.au
Rocking good time
A THEMED rock 'n' roll cruise around the southwest corner of Australia next April aboard the traditional liner Athena will be one of a record 12 short cruises of five nights or fewer Classic International Cruises will offer in Australia next summer.
The four-night round-trip cruise from Perth on April 2 next year will see rock 'n' roll fans able to bop until they drop, with daily gigs by the ship's band, as well as Brisbane-based classic rock band The Deadliners, who will entertain with tunes from Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Stray Cats, Jimmy Barnes, Jimmy Buffett, Crowded House and Peter Frampton, among others.
Guests can also strut their stuff at music trivia quizzes and at free dance classes in between visits to Albany and Bunbury. Fares start at $795 a person, twin share, with a third or fourth adult sharing the same cabin paying only $475 each. Children under 18 sharing the same cabin with two adults can cruise for free, with $140 charged in taxes.
See travel agents or visit classicintcruises.com
Explore Kimberley
EXPERIENCE the vastness of the Kimberley wilderness on Cruiseco's 10-night Kimberley Expedition charter, departing on June 27 next year. Departing from Broome, the voyage on the luxury expedition ship MV Orion explores the region en route to Darwin. Book by September 30 for a 15 per cent discount, starting at $7970 a person, twin share, including a Bungle Bungles scenic charter flight.
Cruiseco also has announced its first custom-built luxury ship, the Cruiseco Adventurer, will have its inaugural sailing on October 30 this year, departing Saigon for a seven-night Mekong River cruise. The 68m, three-deck luxury ship can accommodate up to 60 people and will have 30 luxurious staterooms, two suites and two deluxe suites.
See cruising.com.au
Award is rewarding
TO MARK winning the award for best cruise international operator at the Australian National Travel Industry Awards, Royal Caribbean is offering 50 per cent off the fare for a second person, for new bookings on selected Royal Caribbean cruises. The offer is available for double-occupancy cabins on the following sailings:
* An ocean-view cabin on Rhapsody of the Seas' 11-night round-trip Tropical Queensland cruise, departing Sydney on December 7, travelling via Newcastle, Cairns, Willis Island, the Whitsundays and Brisbane; fares from $1699 for the first person, $849.50 for second person.
* An interior cabin on the 14-night round-trip New Zealand Discovery cruise with Voyager of the Seas departing December 8 from Sydney to Auckland via Hobart, the fjords of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland; fares from $1499 for the first person and $749.50 for the second.
* An ocean-view cabin on Radiance of the Seas' eight-night round-trip Pacific Island Escape, departing Sydney on December 12 and sailing through New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands; fares from $1399 for the first guest and $699.50 for the second.
Ph 1800 754 500 or see www.royalcaribbean.com.au
Hawaii and more
EXPLORE Hawaii and French Polynesia and enjoy a taste of New Zealand with a 21-night cruise package from Cruise 1st. The deal includes 18 nights aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, cruising from Honolulu to Sydney and stopping at Papeete, Moorea, Bora Bora, Wellington and Picton.
The trip departs September 21 and includes a three-night pre-cruise stay at the Aqua Palms hotel in Waikiki and a one-way flight from Australia to Honolulu. Prices from Sydney are from $2999 a person, twin share.
Ph 1300 596 345 or see cruise1st.com.au