With the election looming, the All Blacks Quarter Final locked in and the Cricket World Cup underway, there's no shortage of distractions from the important business of travel planning...
Over the last few weeks we saw glimpses of a return to UK / Europe Earlybird normality with Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand releasing discounted 2024 airfares. Their campaigns didn't create the snowball effect we were hoping for (only Cathay Pacific responded) and below I've included more detailed comments on what may come next.
In this edition we also look into the increased frequency of specials to North America, planning ahead for 2024 Winter Escapes, exploring Japan by sea and a reminder about our comprehensive cruise search engine.
What's Next for 2024 UK / Europe Earlybirds?
The feedback we received from some of the major airlines that didn't respond to the Singapore Airlines / Air New Zealand Earlybird campaigns was that "at this stage" they are comfortable with their forecast 2024 bookings and price point for Business Class and Premium Economy cabins.
There is word across the travel industry that demand has slowed over the past couple of weeks (in our 20 years in business we have seen this happen in the lead up to an election). This softening may flow through to forward bookings and start putting downward pressure on airfares.
In the short-term we may see airlines responding to pockets of weakness by releasing more of their cheaper booking classes and / or running campaigns for limited travel periods to stimulate demand. Specials may also be released to specific cities across the UK and Europe if those routes aren't selling as well as forecast.
A current example of this is that Singapore Airlines has committed an A380 to the Auckland / Singapore route during our summer months. This adds significant capacity to a route that connects through to their UK / Europe network (as well as Asia and Africa). At the moment we can see good availability of the cheapest Business Class fares between mid-November and the end of March (excluding travel between 10 Dec and 10 Jan).
More Business Class Options to North America
On our USA / Canada Business Class specials page we maintain long-term airfares and contrasting tactical specials as they are released (Air New Zealand currently has a limited special to Vancouver).
Air New Zealand continues to demand a premium for its direct services to North America, however there are savings available on indirect routes with the likes of Qantas (particularly when on sale), Fiji Airways (pictured above), Hawaiian Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui.
The Air New Zealand and Qantas direct services to New York are proving to be popular components of trans-Continental North American itineraries. Flying from Auckland to New York and then home from Los Angeles or San Francisco is working particularly well.
Explore with our Cruise Search Engine
If you're planning your next cruise holiday then our comprehensive cruise search engine is a valuable resource to compare and contrast alternatives and narrow down a selection using the range of available filters.
Fine Travel is a Cruise Line Industry Association member and we are accredited to book cruises with all cruise lines. As always, I'm available to assist with research, confirm what special offers may be available, and to book your cruise.
Exploring Japan
Since its borders gradually reopened, Japan has been a popular holiday destination. It can however be an expensive destination which is why cruises can make a lot of sense - your accommodation and transport is taken care of and shore excursions allow for authentic Japanese experiences.
Itineraries are offered by a wide range of cruise lines, including Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Oceania Cruises, Viking, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Silversea. Voyages can be focussed on Japan and some itineraries exploring further into the region.
Escorted Coach Tours
Fine Travel is an accredited agent for the major escorted coach tour companies such as:
Insight Vacations (and Luxury Gold)
Trafalgar
Globus
APT
Backroads Touring
Intrepid
We can also access the same special offers and past passenger discounts as if you were booking direct. If you're planning to include a coach tour in your next itinerary please let me know.
Planning to Escape Winter Next Year?
It may feel too early to commit to next year's Winter Escape, but it's an all to common experience for winter to sneak up and finding that the most popular resorts are already booked out and you're left having to compromise.
Whether you're looking at Fiji, the Cook Islands, Bali, French Polynesia or Australia we can work with you and our wholesale partners (and directly with the resorts), to arrange holiday packages.
Renault Euroleases
For self drive tours of Europe, Euroleases can be the most cost effective means of renting a car for between 21 and 170 days (depending on location). You will receive a new Renault vehicle along with full vehicle factory warranty and full comprehensive insurance with nil excess, allowing you to drive through over 40 European countries with peace of mind.
If you're planning a self-drive tour of Europe you can contact me to arrange your Eurolease or conduct your own research via our Rental Car Booking Tool.
Escape Winter with a Paul Gauguin Cruise
If you've had enough of beach holidays then a Paul Gauguin cruise through French Polynesia (and the Cook Islands on some itineraries) may be the warm weather alternative you're looking for.
The ship (named Paul Gauguin) was acquired by French cruise line Ponant and has undergone a recent renovation. As part of the Ponant fleet guests benefit from the structured Ponant discount program that includes up to a 30% discount for guests who book early (the discount reduces as more of the voyage is sold). On some itineraries Ponant also waives the solo supplement.
Close to home cruises
For our cruise season we have a significant contingent of cruise lines visiting our waters. These itineraries (such as the Holland America itinerary pictured above) will generally take in the major New Zealand ports and then cross the Tasman for Australian ports of call.
Expedition focussed itineraries are available through the likes of Lindblad Expeditions / National Geographic, Heritage Expeditions and Ponant. These cruise lines offer unique voyages to the islands south of New Zealand (such as Macquarie Island and the Auckland Islands) where Galapagos like sea life can be found. Ponant offers soft expedition itineraries to the Subantarctic Islands from Dunedin too.
Well known luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Regent Seven Sea and Seabourn all have ships in New Zealand waters during our summer. Upper Premium cruise lines like Oceania Cruises, Viking, Ponant and Holland America will be here as well.