Deals of the week, January 16: Viking Cruises; Ultimate Cruising
Save thousands of dollars on a Kimberley cruise or take advantage of a special offer at a revamped Gold Coast hotel.
Cabin class
Ultimate Cruising has savings of $6000 a cabin on select departures of Ponant’s 10-night Kimberley cruises from Darwin to Broome. Also included are two nights’ accommodation in Darwin prior to setting sail on either Le Laperouse or Le Bellot, and return luxury airport transfers. Applies to departures from May to August; from $11,120 a person, twin-share.
European vacation
Viking’s 23-day cruises between Amsterdam and Bucharest attract savings of $2000 a couple plus flight credits for two of up to $3600. The sailings, which venture from The Netherlands to Romania on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, are scheduled for April to October up to 2023. Highlights include the medieval city of Regensburg, and Golubac fortress in Serbia. From $10,995 a person, twin-share; book by March 31.
Sand and save
Enjoy discounts of up to $375 a person on three-night stays at the newly revamped JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. The Flight Centre deal, available on select travel dates to December 16, features accommodation in a Mountain View King room, daily breakfast, welcome bottle of wine, valet parking, Wi-Fi, cocktails and late checkout. From $599 a person.
Steaming ahead
Couples save up to $530 on four-night Winter Sun sailings on the charming Emmylou paddlesteamer, which plies the Murray River from Echuca. Book by January 31 to enjoy a 10 per cent discount on itineraries that visit wineries, Indigenous sites, farms and a World Heritage-listed river red gum forest. From $1935 a person, twin-share, including meals, excursions, covered parking, and from April 1, select beer and wine with dinner.
Suite life
Penthouse suites with personal butler service are included in Regent Seven Seas’ latest cabin-upgrade offer, which applies to bookings by March 1. The Upgrade Your Horizon campaign gives guests the chance to elevate their stateroom by two categories at no extra cost. Those who upgrade to a Concierge suite will receive one night’s pre-cruise accommodation. Cancellations are available up to 15 days before departure, with a 100 per cent future cruise credit.
Inn like Flynn
The recently opened Flynn hotel in Cairns has complimentary upgrades to Harbour View rooms with two-night stays until March 31. Also included in the offer is a $75 food and drink credit for use at any of the three Crystalbrook Collection properties in the Queensland city. From $380 a room.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
OUT + ABOUT
Heide Museum of Modern Art on the outskirts of Melbourne is hosting a nine-week summer festival aimed at supporting artists and performers impacted by COVID-19. The event kicks off on Sunday with live jazz in the museum’s sculpture park, followed by a series of free and ticketed programs of music, dance, storytelling and Indigenous culture that runs until March 7.
River cruise operator Pandaw is launching spacious luxury suites on a number of its vessels sailing in Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. The cabins run the full width of the ships and feature a private balcony and lounge, butler service, espresso machine and minibar. Available from August.
Conservation group Aussie Ark has succeeded in its bid to buy the 250ha Curricabark property after a month of fundraising that raised more than $50,000. The land, in the NSW Barrington Tops, is home to 30 threatened native species and will be used to provide habitat for animals cared for by the not-for-profit organisation.
Safari company Asilia Africa is assisting young Kenyan and Tanzanian employees obtain more hospitality skills to help to weather the economic fallout of COVID-19. The $US100,000 project, in which all participants receive a diploma, is supported by a Danish investment fund.