With another year of travel planning almost behind us, we're really looking forward to what 2025 will hold. Thank you for your support this year and I wish you the very best for the holiday period.
In the Business Class space, we saw some major carriers release 2025 UK & Europe Earlybird specials and more instances of Air New Zealand and Qantas going head-to-head on North American and Asian routes.
In the True Luxury, Upper Premium and Expedition cruise space, we continue to see discounts and other special offers released for 2025, 2026 and even 2027 travel. We've been impressed with how many of these cruise lines are trying to ensure consistent global pricing to reduce the risk of New Zealand guests being denied boarding if they inadvertently book offshore cruise fares that are intended for US residents only.
Air New Zealand traditionally launches a New Year Sale at the start of the first working week in January. This generally includes the South Pacific (and North America and Asia) so if over the holiday period you think a 2025 winter escape is on the cards, we can package these fares with accommodation.
Finally, we look forward to sharing more details about our new relationship with the international luxury travel group Ensemble (similar to the Virtuoso Group). Through Ensemble we can offer exclusive accommodation extras (like room credits, upgrades, complimentary breakfasts) at select properties around the world. We also have access to Villas of Distinction, Rental Escapes and their network of international Destination Management Companies to support us in designing comprehensive and unique itineraries. This new partnership, and our partnership with Luxury Escapes allows us to share even more specials and interesting travel opportunities.
View UK / Europe Business Class Specials
In this edition we cover:
Business Class Updates
Wellness Getaways — Amilla Resort and Heritance Aarah
Christmas of Central Europe 2025 and 2026 with Golden Eagle (luxury rail)
Rovos Rail African Golf Safari
F1 in Japan (April 2025) and Singapore (October 2025)
Cruise Specials
AmaWaterways' 2025 Season Summer Triple Savings
Ponant - Save 10% more
Holland America - Last days of the "Have it All" early booking bonus
Silversea's "Up to $8,000 Reasons to Sail" offer
Regent Seven Seas' - Up to 45% off, Rocky Mountaineer packages, and Golf with Annika Sorenstam
Seabourn - The remarkable "Across Three Continents" Expedition voyage
Oceania's New Year Sale begins
Viking's latest discounts finishing soon
UK & Europe Business Class Updates
Cathay Pacific was particularly conservative in releasing its 2025 schedule, but they have now advised us that more flights have been confirmed. In late 2025 we are seeing some very sharp Premium Economy airfares to London and Paris, and we hope to see Business Class sales in the New Year too.
China Southern continues to be our lead-in Business Class fare to the UK and Europe with Istanbul sharply priced from under $5,400* pp return. For more about the onboard experience, including menus, click here.
Malaysia Airlines - On sale until 21 December 2024
The latest Malaysia Airlines Business Class sale includes significant savings on fares to London and its new route to Paris (from 22 March 2025).
Emirates - On sale until 9 January 2025
Booking early continues to be the best strategy with Emirates Business Class as they continue to introduce peak season surcharges and price increases. Although we can't be certain, it would be a big backdown if they started discounting their sale fares below current levels for 2025 travel.
Partnerships with Qatar Airways
In addition to offering its own services between Auckland and the UK / Europe, Qatar Airways partners with Oman Air and Finnair between Auckland and Doha. UK / Europe fares with these airlines are generally more affordable than the equivalent "full" Qatar Airways service, but for the longest flight Oman Air and Finnair guests enjoy the award-winning Qatar Airways Qsuite.
Wellness Getaways
As we approach the holiday period, it's a timely reminder of the benefits of planning to unplug from the rat race and unwind with a well organised wellness experience. Whether it's a private island where tranquillity and wellbeing take centre stage, a yoga holiday in India or the isolation of a wilderness lodge in Alaska.
Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, we can work with you to craft a travel experience that combines wellness with unforgettable destinations.
Two packages to consider are the Amilla Resort and Heritance Aarah getaways to the Maldives. Learn more about them in the flyers below.
Christmas Markets of Central Europe with Danube Express
Already thinking about something different for Christmas? Consider experiencing the Europe’s holiday season with this enchanting eight-day journey from Vienna to Munich on the Golden Eagle Danube Express.
On this luxury rail journey, you'll experience Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. Onboard you'll enjoy private en-suite accommodation, cabin attendant service including evening turndown, all gratuities – on and off the train, plus luggage porterage throughout the journey.
Contact us to start planning your December 2025 or 2026 getaway today and learn more about this rail journey in the flyer below.
Learn More About the Golden Eagle Danube Express Christmas Journey
Rovos Rail Luxury Golf Safari
If golf is a big part of your holidays, this Rovos Rail Golf Safari may be the unique golf holiday you've been looking for. During this 10-day luxury rail journey you'll combine safaris and world-class golf. Non-golfing guests are catered for too with city tours and cultural experiences. Learn more about this itinerary in the flyer below (and read on below for a Regent Seven Seas golf holiday).
View Rovos Rail Golf Safari itinerary
Formula 1 in Japan and Singapore – 2025
Experience the thrill of upcoming Formula 1 events in two iconic destinations – Suzuka, Japan, and the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore.
2–7 April 2025 | Suzuka Circuit, Japan
Starter package includes four nights’ accommodation in Nagoya (3–7 April), daily breakfast, and 3-day Grandstand C ticket: Prime views just after the first two corners.
Classic package includes one night in Tokyo and four nights in Nagoya, bullet train travel between Tokyo and Nagoya, daily breakfast, welcome drinks, and track transfers, three-day Grandstand C ticket and access to Suzuka Amusement Park, including the iconic Ferris Wheel.
3–6 October 2025 | Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
Holiday Inn Express package includes four nights’ accommodation (2–6 October), daily breakfast and return transfers (when flights are booked with us), welcome drinks and three-day Padang Grandstand ticket.
Voco Orchard package includes deluxe accommodation with breakfast and access to world-class concerts, featuring global stars.
If you'd like more information, feel free to reply to this email.
AmaWaterways Summer Triple Savings
Considering a European River Cruise in 2025? Until 31 December 2024, we have AmaWaterways Summer Triple Savings offer, including:
Savings of up to NZ$6,400 per stateroom on select river cruises
A complimentary stateroom upgrade
Up to US$100 onboard credit
All meals onboard, including unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner.
Plus, you’ll sip on sparkling wine with breakfast and indulge in a cocktail hour each evening.
To get a sense of whether AmaWaterways is for you, we've included the ship tour above. With small group excursions, hiking and biking adventures, and a dedicated wellness program onboard and onshore, your holiday will be about more than time onboard.
Ponant's Christmas - Save 10% more
Past Ponant guests will be familiar with the unique discount program that encourages early booking with a sliding scale of discounts starting at 30% (learn more here). For Christmas, Ponant is adding a 10% festive discount to select itineraries until 3 January 2025. There are a range of itineraries available with more details in the flyer below.
Holland America's Have It All Early Booking Bonus
We're into the final days of Holland America's "Have It All Booking Bonus" campaign with great savings and inclusions on select itineraries spanning Japan, the South Pacific, Alaska, and beyond.
Highlighted itineraries include:
Alaska Explorer, 8 days, departs 10 May 2025
Canada, New England, Greenland & Iceland, 28 days, departs 12 July 2025
Amazon Explorer, 31 days, departs 21 November 2025
Mexican Riviera & Sea of Cortez, 11 days, departs 29 November 2025
Islands of the South Pacific, 29 days, departs 4 January 2026
Circle Japan, 15 days, departs 12 April 2026.
Offer ends 18 December 2024 for travel until 30 April 2026. T&Cs apply.
View Holland America itineraries
Up to $8,000 reasons to sail with Silversea
Silversea has released substantial discounts of up to $8,000 per suite on more than 500 voyages through to 2027 across its Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port fares. These sales are an opportunity to secure substantial savings on Bucket List expedition voyages (like the following) that generally carry a premium due to the nature of the voyage:
Antarctica
Antarctica Bridge (flying to Antarctica)
Galapagos,
Arctic & Greenland
Australia's Kimberley region (read our review)
We include a selection in the flyer below and can research more.
Explore all Silversea Sale Fares
Regent Seven Sea's - Up to 45% Off
Although the Black Friday shipboard credit offer is over, there are still opportunities to save up to 45% off selected Regent Seven Seas sailings. Single Supplement Specials and Special Savings for Kids can all be found through the Specials link below.
Rocky Mountaineer packages
Experience the best of rail, land and sea with the iconic Rocky Mountaineer packages. Dates for 2025 are selling fast, with May and September already sold out. Regent Seven Seas has also confirmed nine departures in 2026, and while pre-registration is open, spaces are limited.
Golf Cruise with Annika Sorenstam
Join golf legend Annika Sorenstam on a luxury round-trip cruise from London aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur. This exclusive trip includes an optional pre-cruise land package, and you can bring your own golf clubs, which will be stored onboard. Don’t miss this chance for a golf adventure at sea.
Explore All Regent Seven Seas Specials
Seabourn - True Luxury Expeditions
One of Seabourn's latest expedition ships, Seabourn Pursuit, is embarking on a very well-designed voyage in 2025 for guests looking to cover off a number of Bucket List expedition destinations in the one itinerary. Seabourn's extensive expedition history and true-luxury heritage makes it the ideal cruise line to offer this itinerary.
Across Three Continents - Oceania to Antarctica (Broome to Ushuaia)
Highlights of this 86-night voyage include Australia's Kimberley region, Easter Island, Robinson Crusoe Island, an extensive exploration of the Chilean Coast enroute to Antarctica.
Fiji to the Chilean Coast & Antarctica
If 86 nights is too long, or you've already experienced the Kimberley Region, you can join the itinerary above in Fiji for the remainder of the voyage.
Oceania Cruises' New Year Sale
Oceania Cruises have pushed right through the Christmas Season and jumped ahead to a New Year Sale. This sale includes up to a 4-category upgrade plus your choice of a beverage package or onboard credit.
We've highlighted a selection of itineraries in the flyer below, and if there are other itineraries of interest, please let me know.
Viking - Final Days
We're into the final days of Viking's pre-Christmas campaign which ends on 18 December 2024. Highlights include discounts on new Ocean, River and Expedition bookings and for River Cruises a free Silver Spirits Beverage Package for all Europe, Mekong and Mississippi River bookings (T&Cs apply).
Learn more about Viking and current offers
As always, if there's anything else I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Richard Fletcher
DDI: 021 685 711