As we cruise through 2023 there are still opportunities to take advantage of discounts and special offers on 2023 cruises. Cooler mornings and evenings will have us thinking of cruises as alternatives to winter escapes to the beach.
Managing airfares remains challenging with historically high prices and schedule changes requiring careful management of itineraries, particularly when connecting with a cruise. Examples of current Business Class and Premium Economy specials to the UK / Europe can be found here.
Sharing our practical cruise experience
We've continued to invest in our practical cruise experience and when Clare and I travelled through South East Asia last year we were invited by one of our wholesale partners to experience the Mekong Princess - an incredible opportunity after sailing with Viking, Avalon and Ponant previously. My colleagues have also cruised with Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Carnival and Heritage Expeditions and we've conducted ship inspections of Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Oceania Cruises Regatta and Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas. Our close relationships with the cruise line representatives also means that if we don't know the answer - we can find it for you.
Current Cruise Specials
In this newsletter I've highlighted some of the interesting offers and itineraries we've seen in the market place. To view more specials (including from Princess, Celebrity and Holland America) visit our dedicated cruise specials page.
Regent Seven Seas - Save up to 40%*
Regent Seven Seas continues to be one of Fine Travel's most popular True Luxury cruise lines and until 31 March 2023 you can benefit from up to 40%* off selected voyages and a FREE* two-category suite upgrade (up to a Category A Penthouse) on selected voyages (*T&Cs apply).
2026 World Cruise - Exclusive Fine Travel Offer
Pre-registration is now open for Regent Seven Seas' 2026 World Cruise. For Fine Travel clients who pre-register through us, and are successful in securing a suite, we are offering an exclusive $1,500*pp Air Credit towards airfares booked with us to join this cruise (*T&Cs apply).
Learn About the 2026 World Cruise
Viking Explorer Sale Ends 31 March
Viking's Scandinavian styling and no nonsense approach to proclaiming "what it is not" has made it a firm favourite with New Zealand guests looking for an Upper Premium cruise experience.
The Explorer Sale finishes on 31 March 2023 and with savings of up to A$9,000 per couple across its Ocean, River and Expedition itineraries it's an exceptional opportunity to secure your Viking cruise. Explore the Viking Brochure (link below) or view Viking itineraries using our Cruise Search Engine.
Oceania Cruises - Olife Ultimate
Until 1 May 2023 Oceania Cruises is offering all OLife Choice amenities for free on selected itineraries:
Pre-paid gratuities
Shore excursions
Beverage package
Shipboard credit
Download our flyer for the full list of itineraries.
Up to US$4,000 SBC with Seabourn
Seabourn's approach to True Luxury resonates with New Zealand guests as it considered more "down to earth". Our host on a ship inspection explained that Seabourn guests "like a chair to look like a chair". Stories such as the captain sending a diver to recover an engagement ring lost overboard are common.
Until 5 April 2023, Seabourn's Sail Away Event is offering up to US$4,000* in shipboard credit per suite plus savings of up to 15% on Ocean voyages and up to 20%* on Expeditions voyages when you book with a non-refundable deposit (*T&Cs apply).
Download the flyer for more details and featured voyages, and you can explore Seabourn's itineraries through our Cruise Search Engine.
Silversea Expands "All Inclusive"
A hallmark of the True Luxury cruise lines is their desire to be all-inclusive - that you step onboard and don't have to think about paying for anything. Silversea has taken this to the next level with its "Door to Door" fares which can include your transfers to the airport, airfares (or an air credit), pre and post cruise accommodation and transfers to and from the port. This packaging with the cruise fare can result in excellent value.
Winter Escape - Australia's Kimberley Region
During our autumn and winter months the temperature in the Kimberley region is in the high 20s / early 30s and direct flights between Auckland and Perth makes the region accessible. The educational / geographical / historical focus of the itineraries will appeal to guests wanting somewhere warm, and don't want to just sit on a beach...
Silversea, Ponant and Lindblad Expeditions have ships in the region so there are choices between True Luxury, Upper Premium and more traditional expedition.
Winter Escape - French Polynesia
If French Polynesia appeals for a winter escape, but you're looking for more than an overwater bungalow, then a Paul Gauguin cruise may be what you're looking for. Now owned by French cruise line Ponant (which includes access to the Ponant discount policy), this Upper Premium cruise line offers itineraries during our winter that also extend to the Cook Islands.
Explore the itineraries through our cruise search engine or download the digital brochure.
Heritage Expeditions - Asian Island Odyssey
For the more intrepid cruise traveller looking for a unique winter escape onboard a traditional expedition ship, the itineraries of New Zealand owned cruise line Heritage Expeditions will appeal. The Russ family has been involved in expedition cruising since the 1980s and this is evidenced in the quality of the onboard experts and shore excursions.
You can explore all of Heritage Adventurer's itineraries through our cruise search engine or the Asian Island Odyssey brochure below.
Authentic Norwegian Coastlines with Hurtigruten
You may have seen (and even tried to pronounce) the growing presence of Hurtigruten in New Zealand. With a dedicated New Zealand sales manager this Norwegian cruise line is making a concerted effort to become a household name in cruising.
There's a lot to cover with Hurtigruten, but for this newsletter I'm included a link to the Norwegian Coastal Express brochure for you to view. Hurtigruten has sales finishing on 31 March 2023 so it's timely to look more closely at their itineraries and you can explore further through our cruise search engine.