Merry Christmas from the top holiday deals team

A merry and safe Christmas to you all from the top holiday deals team.

FINNAIR invites you to visit the old boy in person. Santa Claus lives deep within the Finnish Lapland, near the Arctic Circle at the mystical Korvatunturi Fell. Flights from Sydney to Rovaniemi are priced from $1834 return.

WORLD EXPEDITIONS has announced  a Boxing Day sale - For 48 hours, starting December 26, more than 140 of the company's most popular adventure travel trips will be reduced.

CATHAY PACIFIC has come up with a novel idea if you travel in that direction regularly. Book two return flights from Sydney to Hong Kong in one booking and pay from $888 per return. Flights must be between 19 January - 21 November 2025.

 
CUNARD'S brand new Queen Anne will head off on her maiden South America Discovery voyages in 2027 and early save fares have been released. The 82 night Southampton round trip costs from $30,499 - or you can also choose from 17 and 20 night itineraries.

NT NOW deals (plenty of them) include a 4 night crocs and chill Darwin Getaway from $649pp twin share. Enjoy everything from crocodile encounters along the Adelaide River to exploring the best Darwin has to offer. Travel until March 31 2025. Flights not included. 

THE QATAR AIRWAYS/VIRGIN AUSTRALIA alliance takes off in June and the competition should help to reduce air fares to Europe. You will earn 20,000 bonus Avios in Business or First and 10,000 in Economy by booking a return trip by 20 January 2025, and complete your journey by 30 September 2025. Avios is the reward currency now used by a number of airlines. Pity Adelaide is not included - would have been a great idea to replace the fake Qatar service via Melbourne. 

FAR EAST INSIDERS is offering up to 43% savings when you book 2025 accommodation at least 14 days in advance (minimum 2 nights). Hotels include the Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore.

SEABOURN has unveiled its annual "Sail of the Year" event which features saving of up to 15%  on select ocean and expedition voyages, reduced deposits and up to $US1000 in onboard credit.

ANANTARA  HOTELS AND RESORTS is offering increased advance purchase savings and benefits plus exceptional rates on longer stays in the Maldives.

PONANT has launched its  2026 Kimberley season -  16 departures from May to September offer a 30% PONANT Bonus in savings.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  Super deals on Crystal, Silversea: Iceland includes airfare, Regent: Iceland includes airfare. More details, Interline Travel.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details.

This week's top travel deals

#traveldeals

NT NOW deals (plenty of them) include a 4 night crocs and chill Darwin Getaway from $649pp twin share. Enjoy everything from crocodile encounters along the Adelaide River to exploring the best Darwin has to offer. Travel until March 31 2025. Flights not included.

THE QATAR AIRWAYS/VIRGIN AUSTRALIA alliance takes off in June and the competition should help to reduce air fares to Europe. You will earn 20,000 bonus Avios in Business or First and 10,000 in Economy by booking a return trip by 20 January 2025, and complete your journey by 30 September 2025. Avios is the reward currency now used by a number of airlines. Pity Adelaide is not included - would have been a great idea to replace the fake Qatar service via Melbourne.

VIRGIN VELOCITY is advertising up to 40% off when you buy velocity points by December 19 - but beware - you need to buy 250,000 points to achieve the max discount - and that is expensive.

FAR EAST INSIDERS is offering up to 43% savings when you book 2025 accommodation at least 14 days in advance (minimum 2 nights). Hotels include the Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES has released specials to more than 50 destinations worldwide priced from $659 return. Book by 21 Dec 2024 - travel from 03 Feb until 30 Nov 2025.

SEABOURN has unveiled its annual "Sail of the Year" event which features saving of up to 15% on select ocean and expedition voyages, reduced deposits and up to $US1000 in onboard credit.

ANANTARA HOTELS AND RESORTS is offering increased advance purchase savings and benefits plus exceptional rates on longer stays in the Maldives.

VIKING invites you to book your next river voyage before December 18 2024 to enjoy savings of $1,600 per couple plus a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package on all European, Mississippi and Mekong river voyages. Past Viking guests save an extra $400 per couple.

PONANT has launched its 2026 Kimberley season - 16 departures from May to September offer a 30% PONANT Bonus in savings.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY: VIRGIN VOYAGES industry first annual pass will allow travellers to embark on any ship, any time, and from anywhere in the world for an entire year – and agents earn commissions of up to $15,000.

From Sue Francis at the Travel Industry Club: The long list of specials this week include Regent Seven Seas – London/Edinburgh (including Greenland & Iceland) 29 July, 20 nights. See the web site for more details.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has been named best cruise line by Cruise Critic. Icon of the Seas is also the recipient of the year's Best New Ship. The run of awards doesn't end there for Royal: the cruise line also scooped up Best Entertainment, Best Nightlife, Best Suites and Best App.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details.

This week's top travel deals

#traveldeals

With Black Friday dead and buried, the advertising whiz kids have now rolled out Year End deals.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES was first cab off the rank with specials to more than 50 destinations worldwide priced from $659 return. Book by 21 Dec 2024 - travel from 03 Feb until 30 Nov 2025.
 

QANTAS calls it The sale before Christmas -  more than 60 destinations are on sale until 11.59pm (AEDT) 12 December 2024.

HELLOWORLD has released a 19 night fly, rail cruise and tour package to Greece and Italy aboard Majestic Princess priced from $9079 for a balcony cabin. Start date is March 31, 2025.

SEABOURN, a leader in ultra-luxury cruising, has unveiled its annual "Sail of the Year" event which features savings and benefits on select 2025 and 2026 worldwide ocean and expedition voyages.

FAR EAST INSIDERS invites you to plan your 2025 escape and enjoy up to 43% savings when you book accommodation at least 14 days in advance (minimum 2 nights). Hotels include the Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore.

VIETNAM AIRLINES has a special for Perth travellers heading to Vietnam. Premium economy fares starting from $1,464, or upgrade to Business class from $3,198.

VIKING has deals going if you prefer to cruise Europe during the the "Quiet Season" – spanning autumn to spring from‌ November‌ to‍ March‌. Not a bad idea given the overcrowding going on right now. A couple could save save up to $2000.

MSC CRUISES is offering $1000 in onboard credit and kids free on selected cruises in 2025.

KRISFLYER CRUISE  is a brand-new way to earn miles on your adventures out at sea. As a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer member, you can now earn 2 KrisFlyer miles for every USD 1 spent on cruise fares booked through KrisFlyerCruise.com. 

PONANT has launched its  2026 Kimberley season -  16 departures from May to September offer a 30% PONANT Bonus in savings.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  From Sue Francis at the Travel Industry Club: "Rather than choose one cruise line this week we have selected 20 excellent itineraries from across our range of operators. Discounts offered to TIC members are very significant, she adds. 

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. 

This week's top travel deals

The Black Friday deals roll on - particularly from cruise companies. As you read, the minutes are ticking away before Royal Caribbean specials end. They range from up to $1000 off sailings to feeding and entertaining your kids from just $29 a day.

No one in the industry takes cruise deals all that seriously by the way - they have more sales than dogs sniff. Watch out for lines like "on selected cruises" and onboard credit "from." Far too often you check a deal only to discover the category is sold out

This week's top travel deals from Australia's senior traveller, Ian McIntosh

The Black Friday deals roll on - particularly from cruise companies. No one in the industry takes cruise deals all that seriously by the way  - they have more sales than dogs sniff. Watch out for lines like "on selected cruises" and onboard credit "from."

SINGAPORE AIRLINES has also thrown its hat into the ring - "lighten up your Black Friday with special fares to your favourite holiday destinations such as Phuket, Seoul, Delhi and more." Deals end on December 6.