Fine Travel is pleased to share that Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Malaysia Airlines have extended their Earlybird specials to the UK and Europe. Importantly, this extension makes more return dates in September 2025 available to be booked now. The Singapore Airlines / Air New Zealand extension is only to 11 October so there isn't too much additional time.
China Southern appears to be returning to pre-2020 pricing tactics which is great for airline competition. One of the cheapest Business Class (return) airfares we have found is $5,382* return to Istanbul! More on this below.
For other regions, Air New Zealand's Business Class and Premium Economy sale to North America is scheduled to finish on Friday (4 October) and specials to Asia and South Africa have also been extended to 11 October.
View UK / Europe Specials and Airfares
In this edition we cover:
UK & Europe Business Class Specials and Insights
European River Cruise Specials
Avalon Waterways 2025 European River Cruises - Save up to $5,000 per couple
APT Touring 2025 Magnificent Europe River Cruises - Save up to $7,000 per couple
Travel Marvel 2025 European River and Coastal Cruises - Save up to $6,600 per couple
Fly Free with Viking (including River, Ocean and Expedition)
Luxury Cruise Specials
Regent Seven Seas 2025 Europe Upgrades and up to 40% off select savings
Silversea - Save Indulge Explore
Seabourn - Sail into Savings
CLIA Cruise Month Specials
Grand Prix Packages
2025 Japanese F1 Grand Prix packages
Explora Journey's 2025 Monaco Grand Prix packages
Expedition Cruises
Hurtigruten (HX) - Explore Greenland, Iceland & Svalbard
World Cruises and Antarctica
Africa 2025 / 26 with APT
24 days Cape Town to Nairobi - Save up to $3,000 per couple*
13 days Cape Town to Livingstone - Save up to $1,400 per couple*
12 days Nairobi return - Save up to $1,400 per couple*
UK & Europe Specials and Insights
China Southern - Currently our cheapest Business Class fare to London (Heathrow), even factoring in an overnight stopover in Guangzhou (with a complimentary hotel) a lie-flat Business Class seat on 789 Dreamliners, this represents excellent value. Importantly, finding airfares like the $5,382* to Istanbul referred to above, China Southern is positioning itself as an alternative to Premium Economy and a good option for connecting with cruises.
Malaysia Airlines - Earlybirds and Paris - Extended to 22 October. For guests keen to avoid a domestic transfer via Auckland, Malaysia Airlines' trans-Tasman partnership with Qantas allows connections with flights from Sydney or Melbourne instead.
Qatar Airways - On Sale until 31 October - After a price increase, Qatar Airways also introduced a surprise US$100 surcharge for select peak 2025 travel periods. Suggesting they are confident with their 2025 forward bookings, planning ahead remains our recommended approach. You can read about the difference between the Lite (P) and Classic (R) Business Class fares in this article.
Emirates - On Sale until 10 Oct - We have a new Emirates Business Class special, and they have confirmed that they won't be releasing separate 2025 Earlybird airfares with further discounts. We also have attractively priced Dubai Stopover packages, including 3 nights at the 5-star JW Marriott Marquis from $999 (for two) with access to Dubai’s most famous sights and activities including the world’s tallest building – The Burj Khalifa, an exciting desert safari and a glimpse of the times to come at Museum of the Future.
View UK / Europe Specials and Airfares
Avalon's 2025 European River Cruises
For a limited time, Avalon Waterways is offering savings of up to $5,000* per couple off a selection of 2025 European River Cruises. Examples include:
Burgundy & Provence - Save up to $3,400* per couple.
Romantic Rhine - Save up to $2,600* per couple.
Festive Season in the Heart of Germany - Save up to $550* per couple.
German Grandeur - Beer Enthusiasts Cruise - Save up to $5,000* per couple
More details can be found in the flyer below, and if there is another Avalon itinerary you are interested in, please feel free to reply to this email. *T&Cs apply.
APT Touring 2025 European River Cruises
APT's new luxury river ships APT Solara and Ostara join the fleet in 2025 (see more in the clip above) and with discounts available on APT's iconic Magnificent Europe itineraries, it's an ideal time to secure your suite. Examples include:
Magnificent Europe (Budapest to Amsterdam) - Save up to $7,000* per couple.
Magnificent Europe with Paris & Prague - Save up to $7,000* per couple
Iconic Italy with Magnificent Europe - Save up to $7,000* per couple
Wonders of Scandinavia with Magnificent Europe - Save up to $7,000* per couple
More details of these itineraries are included on the flyer below and if you're interested in any other APT itineraries, please feel free to reply to this email. *T&Cs apply.
View APT Magnificent Europe Specials
2025 Travel Marvel 2025 European River & Coastal Cruises
For a limited time, Travel Marvel has savings of up to $6,600* pre couple on its European Gems itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest, and further savings on itineraries including:
Douro Discovery - Save up to $2,800* per couple
Adriatic Coastal Cruise - Save up to $1,600* per couple
Norwegian Coastal Express - Save $1,000* per couple
More details of these itineraries are included on the flyer below and if you're interested in any other Travel Marvel itineraries, please feel free to reply to this email. *T&Cs apply.
View Travel Marvel Europe Specials
Viking's "Fly Free" Offer*
Viking's "Fly Free" campaign, which encompasses its 2025, 2026, and 2027 River, Ocean, and Expedition cruises, is available until 15 November 2024. Below, we have provided a selection of sample itineraries, and we are more than happy to assist with additional options.
For those with a dream of visiting Antarctica, the video above offers a comprehensive look into the experience, detailing Viking's ships and their unique approach to expedition cruises.
Fine Travel is a certified travel agent for Viking and is one of its premier partners in New Zealand.
View Viking River Cruise Offers
View Viking Ocean Cruise Offers
View Viking Expedition Cruise Offers
Regent Seven Seas 2025 Europe Sale
For those who may not be acquainted with Regent Seven Seas, it's one of the cruise lines at the pinnacle of "True Luxury" cruising. The all-inclusive fares encompass shore excursions, gourmet dining, premium beverages, pre-paid gratuities, and Wi-Fi. Guests from New Zealand particularly appreciate the Concierge Suite, which includes a 1-night pre-cruise hotel and transfer package.
Explore the 2025 Regent Seven Seas Europe Sale, timed to coincide with the UK/Europe Earlybird period. In addition to the alluring upgrades and discounts, the most compelling aspect of this sale is the extensive selection of itineraries and ports, with departures scheduled from April to October 2025.
Fine Travel is an authorised travel agent for Regent Seven Seas.
Silversea - Save Indulge Explore
Until 31 October, Silversea is offering savings of up to $5,000* per suite plus a 15%* reduced deposit on more than 520 voyages from late 2024 through 2026 on Door to Door and Port to Port fares.
For those considering Antarctica, a selection of Silversea's "Antarctica Bridge" itineraries are included in the sale, and you can learn more about this voyage in the video above.
Including Classic and Expedition voyages a selection of the most popular itineraries can be found in the flyer below. *T&Cs apply.
Seabourn - Sail in Savings
One of the leading "True Luxury" cruise line choices for New Zealand guests, Seabourn is offering savings of up to 15%* on select sailings including:
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
Taiwan & Isles of Southern Japan
Aegan Treasures
Jewels of the Dalmation Coast
Southern Australian Coasts
More details can be found in the flyer below, or if you have a different Seabourn itinerary in mind you can reply to this email. *T&Cs apply.
CLIA Cruise Month Specials
As Cruise Line Industry Association members we have a range of special offers available in October including:
Royal Caribbean's newest ship - Star of the Seas - 7 nights from $3,391* pp twin share
Azamara Cruises Hidden Gems - US$500 onboard credit + Unlimited WIFI or Premium Beverage Package.
Celebrity Cruises - Up to 40% off
Holland America - Have it All
Norwegian Cruise Line - Exclusive Savings and Onboard Credits - 10 nights from $3,945*pp twin share
MSC Cruises "Seasational" Sale - Savings, Onboard Credits & Kids Sail Free - 7 nights from $2,284* pp twin share
For more details click on the flyers below.
Royal Carribean - from $3,391*pp twin share
2025 Japanese Grand Prix Packages
Our Japanese Grand Prix packages are proving popular with Formula 1 fans.
Taking place at the legendary Suzuka Circuit, 50 km south of Nagoya in central Japan. The toughness of conquering the Suzuka Circuit gives it a special spot in the formula 1 calendar. With discounted airfares to Japan on sale until 11 October 2024, it's an ideal time to finalise plans. The package includes:
Fully assisted tour with fluent Japanese speaking guide;
1 night’s accommodation Tokyo, 4 star hotel or similar, 3-4 April 2025;
Bullet Train, Tokyo to Nagoya;
4 nights’ accommodation , 4 star hotel or similar, 4-8 April 2025 with daily breakfast;
Welcome Function, 4 April, Nagoya;
3 Day x B1 Grandstand situated on the First and Second Corner;
Daily track transfers from Nagoya to Suzuka, Friday to Sunday;
Suzuka Amusement Park Passport which includes Free access to the iconic Ferris Wheel at Suzuka Circuit for spectacular views.
This package (excluding airfares) starts from $4,999*pp twin share. Please email travel@finetravel.co.nz for more information.
Monaco Grand Prix with Explora Journeys
The cruise ships and super yachts docked in Monaco are key to the grand prix experience, almost as much as the races themselves. Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys (part of the MSC Group), offers several grand prix-focused voyages:
Staying aboard Europa II in Monaco during the grand prix.
A pre-race voyage from Barcelona to Monaco, ending with a stay in Monaco for the grand prix.
A 21-day voyage from Barcelona and back, including a stop in Monaco for the grand prix.
This package includes tickets to the Tribune T2 Grandstand at Monaco Harbour, offering a prime view of the straight between the swimming pool's "S" curve and Rascasse corner. Positioned opposite the pits, it lets spectators see the mechanics' work before, during, and after the races. The Grandstand also has a giant screen for better viewing.
View Explora Monaco Grand Prix Packages
Experience Africa with APT
From vast savannahs in the east, to sweeping coastlines in the south, Africa enchants all who visit. Highlights of APT's itineraries include game drives in the heart of Africa’s rugged national parks, authentic dining under a starlit sky in the African bush and immersions into local culture within remote communities. A visit to Victoria Falls includes a spectacular helicopter flight to view this phenomenon from above.
Fine Travel is an authorised APT travel agent.
Hurtigruten Expeditions - Save up to $3,000
Hurtigruten decided to really focus on its expedition credentials by separating its expedition business under a separate brand "HX" (learn more in the video above).
Its Norwegian coastal itineraries are still available but remain under the original Hurtigruten brand. Until 30 October we have savings and a range of inclusions on HX itineraries including:
Elemental Iceland - Circular Saga from Reykjavík
Circumnavigating Spitsbergen: In the Realm of the Polar Bear, extended stay in Longyearbyen
Ultimate Norway – Arctic Expedition under the Northern Lights
World Cruises and Antarctica
Whether you're celebrating a big birthday or anniversary, taking a well-deserved break after selling your business, or stepping into retirement, a World Cruise or an adventure to Antarctica is the perfect way to mark the occasion. Imagine unpacking just once and then setting off to explore the world, or creating unforgettable memories with a Drake Passage crossing, stunning landscapes, and incredible wildlife.
Explore Antarctica itineraries here
World Cruises and 20+ night World Cruise Sectors are available through a number of cruise lines, including:
If you're considering a World Cruise or Antarctica and would like more information, please feel free to contact me.
Contact us about Antarctica or a World Cruise
As always, if there's anything else we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact us.