Cruising on all continents: travel deals March 17 2013

Silver Spirit in Santorini, Greece.

Cruise, baby, cruise. Get in quick to snap up a travel deal on the high seas. 

CHINA

Cruise China’s Yangtze River on the 14-day Yangtze Splendour Deluxe tour that starts in Beijing and ends in Shanghai, with six days on the Victoria Sophia. The cruise itinerary explores ghost cities, gorges and the ancient capital of Nanjing. The tour departs April 9 and includes return economy air fares from Australia, six nights in five-star hotels, bias fees and English-speaking tour guides. Save up to $600, costs from $5390 a person, twin share. 1300 727 998, www.wendywutours.com.au.

NETHERLANDS

Take a spring cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium, with all the classic images of windmills, tulips and canals, with stops in historic Antwerp  and gorgeous Ghent. Save up to $1500 a couple and solo travellers have the single supplement waived when booked by March 30, on selected departures on the eight-day Tulip Time Cruise. Costs from $3543 for solo passengers on departures April 21, 28, and May 12, 2013 and from $2843 a person, twin share, on departures April 28 and May 12, 2013. avalonwaterways.com.au, 1300 230 234.

NEW CALEDONIA

Discover New Caledonia in a 10-day cruise on the Carnival Spirit. The round-trip tour departs Sydney and visits the islands of Mare, Lifou and the Isle of Pines as well as the capital, Noumea.  Book by March 31 for travel May 19 and get $100 credit to spend on board. Costs from $749 a person (quad share, inside cabin) or $915 (twin share, inside cabin). 1300 450 133, cruiseabout.com.au.

ECUADOR

Swim with turtles and sea lions off the coastline of one of the world’s star eco-tourism destinations, Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands. The luxury Galapagos Odyssey takes just 16 passengers on its five-day cruises that let you get up close and personal with the islands’ famed giant tortoises and bird life. Book a five, six, 10 or 11-day cruise before March 30 for travel until September 30 and get a free stay at a hot springs resort, city stay or a hacienda within the Cotopaxi National Park, worth $445. Costs from $2819 a person. 1300 320 795, adventureworld.com.au.

EASTERN EUROPE

Sail the Danube, from Romania to Austria, via Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Slovakia, on a 16-night tour. During July and August, children under 18 staying in their own cabin pay half price, which includes all excursions. Save up to $1900 on the August 8 departure on cruise-only fares. Costs from $4228 a person, twin share, includes all meals and drinks. 1300 583 572, www.seacloud.com.

  

ARGENTINA & ANTARCTICA

Trek the wilds of Patagonia, then cruise ice landscape of Antarctica in a spectacular 20- or 21-day adventure with Aurora Expeditions.  The tour begins at El Calafate, Argentina, staying in lodges iat the Torres del Paine National Park, before heading south on the Polar Pioneer. Save 25 per cent on departures on December 1 and December 10. Costs from $8,939 a person, triple share. (02) 9252 1033, auroraexpeditions.com.au.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Cruise the Chobe River on the Zambezi Queen in a small group tour, departing Cape Town and finishing in Johannesburg. The itinerary includes a two-day cruise on the 14-suite river boat, as well as game drives and luxury camping. A $500 air credit on return flights from Australia with South African Airways is available. Costs from $10,195 a person, twin share. 1300 278 278, aptouring.com.au.

QUEENSLAND

The Pacific Jewel departs from Sydney and visits Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas, with a stop on the Reef. Book by April 1, 2013, for departure June 2, 2014 and get $100 onboard credit per cabin. Costs from $1649 a person, twin share (inside cabin). 1300 450 133, cruiseabout.com.au.

CANADA & ALASKA

A 21-night journey, departing on August 31, includes two days on Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer train, a spin at the casinos in Vegas seven nights on the Star Princess from Seattle to Glacier Bay.  There's also a stop in Las Vegas. Price includes economy return airfares with V Australia. A free cabin upgrade may be available. Costs from $6,879 a person.  1300 369 848, ecruising.travel.

EGYPT

The nine-day ‘Nile in Style’ tour, cruising between Luxor to Aswan on the luxury boat Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, includes the services of a private Egyptologist in Cairo, visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Save 25 per cent on departures between April 5 – May 1. Costs from $3169 a person, twin share, or $4508 solo traveller. 1300 851 800, abercrombiekent.com.au.

MEDITERRANEAN

Silversea Cruises is offering special fares on its three Mediterranean departures on the flagship craft, Silver Spirit. Book by March 31 and check in to one of Silversea’s Silver Suites, featuring marble bathrooms, espresso machines, a large veranda and separate dining and living areas. There’s also the butler and personalised bar, the Relais & Châteaux meals and the Champagne on tap, to ensure smooth sailing. The three sailings include 16 days from Venice to Barcelona, departing October 24 cruising the Adriatic, Ionian and Mediterranean seas, visiting Monte Carlo and the French Riviera. Costs from $12,739 a person. 1300 306 872, silversea.com.

TOURWATCH 

Celebrate the beauty and diversity of Australia with the circumnavigation of Australia on the Queen Mary 2, the grand dame of the Cunard line. The journey starts and ends in Sydney, departing February 19, 2014, and takes 23 nights, stopping in Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Darwin, Bali, Fremantle, Adelaide and Melbourne.  Go the healthy option with yoga, gym and spa treatments, or learn to make cocktails, go line dancing and hit the 15 restaurants and bars. Australians love the ocean liner’s heritage, and fares are in hot demand. Costs from $5641 a person (inside stateroom). 132 441, cunardline.com.au.