Deals of the week, September 5: Viking Cruises; Oceania Cruises; Regent Seven Seas; Lizard Island
For travellers prepared to plan well ahead, there are some excellent prices on future cruises.
For the diary
Viking Cruises will head to Antarctica in 2022 on new expedition ship Viking Polaris. Couples can save up to $2000 on the 13-day roundtrip from Buenos Aires when they book by November 30 this year. The itinerary includes flights to and from Ushuaia, six days exploring the white continent and sailing around Cape Horn. Departs November 13, 2022; from $20,995 a person, twin-share.
Northern exposure
Stay at Australia’s most northerly address as part of an eight-day self-drive tour curated by Abercrombie & Kent. The Far North Queensland trip takes travellers from Cairns to Cape York, ending with two nights at Punsand Bay. World War II history, outback and rainforest settings, and Indigenous cultural experiences are all on the agenda. From $3014 a person, twin-share; flights extra.
Cabin class
An upgrade of up to four cabin categories is available for guests who book one of 60 Oceania Cruises itineraries by September 15. The 14-day New Zealand Explorer voyage, for example, is priced at $9010 for a Deluxe Ocean View cabin, which is upgraded to a Veranda Stateroom; departs February 4, 2022.
Suite spot
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering complimentary two-category suite upgrades on Alaskan voyages and select sailings in the Mediterranean and northern Europe next year. Book a Deluxe Verandah Suite by September 30 and be elevated to a Concierge Suite, which entitles guests to a pre-cruise hotel stay, ship transfers, priority dining reservations and unlimited Wi-Fi. The seven-night Allure of Alaska itinerary departs Vancouver on August 25 next year; from $8210 a person, twin-share.
Deep and meaningful
Scuba diving is the focus on a seven-night Queensland package that includes eight dives around the turtle hotspot of Lady Musgrave Island and the wreck of HMAS Tobruk. Guests can choose between two waterfront accommodation options in Bundaberg. Book by December 1 for travel by March 31; from $1850 a person, twin-share.
Child’s play
The family-friendly Paradise Resort Gold Coast reopened on Tuesday after undergoing upgrades, with new lobby and restaurants among the improvements. The property has a three-night package for two adults and two children with multiple inclusions, such as daily continental breakfast, kids club sessions, parking and noon checkout. From $499 a family; for travel until December 21 next year.
From little things
Sydney’s Little Albion Guest House in Surry Hills has 10 per cent discounts and room upgrades for stays before September 30. The boutique property has 35 guestrooms and is housed in a former convent. The upgrades are from a Crash Pad to Cosy, or Cosy to Classic; from $203 a night.
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OUT + ABOUT
Lizard Island Resort on the Great Barrier Reef has announced it will delay its reopening until December 14 following the extension of Queensland travel restrictions. The change to border regulations meant about 80 per cent of bookings for the resort, involving about 250 guests, had to be cancelled or rescheduled.
Carnival Cruise Line has revealed it will sail almost 50 itineraries in 2022-23 from Brisbane’s $177m international cruise terminal, which opens on the Brisbane River later this year. Destinations in the line-up include Cairns, Airlie Beach, Port Douglas plus the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea. The 2124-passenger Carnival Spirit will be home-ported in Queensland.
Byron at Byron’s new restaurant opened on Tuesday as phase one of a $6m revamp was unveiled. Forest, as the eatery is known, is headed by Etienne Karner, former executive chef of Park Hyatt Sydney. Local fare will feature strongly on the menu, with more than 80 per cent of ingredients source from within a three-hour radius of the Crystalbrook Collection property. A new Eleme Day Spa will launch on site in November.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a luxury subsidiary of InterContinental Hotels Group, will open two new properties early next month. Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo and Kimpton Bangkok Maa-Lai will offer 151 and 362 guestrooms respectively, including serviced residences at the Thai property. The hotels represent the brand’s foray into both countries.