Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Black Friday

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From: ianmac@travelagentupdate.com <ianmac@travelagentupdate.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2025, 22:19
Subject: Fwd: Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals
To: Stephen Morton <stephen@egtmedia.com>, Roderick Eime <rodeime@gmail.com>
Cc: <Molly.Richards@secnewgate.com.au>, Annie Kelly <annie@slojourn.studio>, <kirsty.hill@viking.com>, <editorial@solsticemedia.com.au>, Kelly Noble <kelly@glamadelaide.com.au>, Michael Osborne <thematuretraveller@gmail.com>, <hello@interlinetravel.com.au>, <gaynor@theslatephuket.com>, John Savage <jsavage@savagecomm.com.au>, Sue Francis <sue@industryclub.com.au>, <info@iexpedition.com>, Tony Dominey <tony@tabsontravel.co.nz>, <emily@sodacommunications.com.au>, Christine Allen <christine@coastalcomms.com.au>, <customersupport@imaginecruising.com.au>, <sonia.cheng@teamlewis.com>, <jclark@tfehotels.com>, Dawson, Paul <pdawson@oceaniacruises.com>, <janekingaus@icloud.com>

Cruise lines in particular love events like Black Friday to push their products - but don't be overwhelmed. They have more sales than a lottery winner has new friends.

HELLOWORLD has a series of new deals featuring the ultra luxury yacht Scenic Eclipse. Book before December 7 and receive exclusive savings of up to $22,600 per suite. Itineraries start at 12 nights Antarctica In Depth priced from $27.689 pp twin share.

ATURA HOTELS has a deal for its EVT members - enjoy up to 30% off stays until 30 April 2026. 

WEBJET has a special for ski lovers heading to Japan with flights to Tokyo priced from $819 return. You have until November 26 to book.

ACCOR is the choice if you are heading to NZ - Stay two+ nights and enjoy up to 20% off across more than 30 hotels. 

AIR TAHITI says the islands are on sale - and has released a long list of holiday ideas including Niu Beach Moorea from $3699pp twin share featuring two nights in Tahiti and five in Moorea.

SILVERSEA, the luxury cruise operator, has a Black Friday savings of up to $15,000 on expedition and $10,000 on classic voyages, available on more than 950 sailings. The deals end December 2. 

NORWEGIAN is also in the black offering up to 50% off cruises, free premium beverages and up to $1,000 air fare credit.

CELEBRITY'S Black deal is 75% off the second guest and bonus savings on selected dates.

OCEANIA - not to be outdone, is offering up to 50% off on a long list of selected sailings.

NESUTO HOTELS Black Friday deal is up to 30% off across Australia and New Zealand. Choose from 11 properties including the Nesuto Docklands in Melbourne from $169. 

FIREFLY - sister airline to Malaysia Airlines - invites you to discover more of Southeast Asia. From $599 return, connect seamlessly to destinations including Krabi, Cebu and Siem Reap via Kuala Lumpur. 

CATHAY PACIFIC's Flyaway sale means savings when you take-off to destinations including Japan, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, India and the subcontinent, and the Middle East.

NIB TRAVEL INSURANCE will be offering 20% off all domestic and international policies until December 9, 2025. 

ANA has an interesting business class deal if you are heading to Paris from Sydney and don't mind travelling via Tokyo. Cost is from $7378 return.

CHEVAL is offering up to 30% off at any Cheval Collection property in London and Dubai. As well, enjoy an extra 10% off when you sign up as a CHEVAL DISCOVERY member. 

FROM LAST WEEK:

WENDY WU TOURS Big Deal Sale means savings of up to $4,000 per couple on over 900 departures in 2025 and 2026, plus savings on Japan's cherry blossoms in 2027. Choose from tours to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America and more.

PRINCESS CRUISES says forget about Black Friday - the Blue Friday Sale is full steam ahead. Until December 9 2025, you can book your next Princess cruise with 50% reduced deposits.

HELLOWORLD invites you to visit the Northern Territory with some great fares from Virgin and packages to Alice Springs and the Top End. A four day Discover Alice special costs from $679pp twin share - or spend seven days discovering the NT from $1669.

CATHAY PACIFIC advises the ultimate rugby weekend is back. "Experience the thrill of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2026 with our online exclusive early-bird packages starting from $1,488. Book now with the discount code EARLYR7AU to lock in exclusive early-bird deals on Flight + Event Ticket packages."

TRADE ONLY:

US based Vacations to Go has gathered the best cruise deals and organised them according to cruise length. Along with oceangoing cruises VTG also offers the world's largest selection of river cruises in Europe, the US and other destinations.

The Travel Industry Club also has hundreds of cruise industry offers on its website with many 2026 Northern Hemisphere sailings now available. The Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic seasons are underway and there is always a steady collection for Asia, Africa and repositioning cruises.

AAT Kings has announced an A-LISTER rewards incentive designed to recognise and reward its most engaged travel advisors, with gift cards up for grabs for every qualifying booking made throughout November (up to $100 eGift cards available).

Interline Travel has a very long list of Seabourn specials - the hardest part will be to pick just one from the list.

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. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.

Ian McIntosh's top 10 travel deals - Asian Tours savings

WENDY WU TOURS Big Deal Sale means savings of up to $4,000 per couple on over 900 departures in 2025 and 2026, plus savings on Japan's cherry blossoms in 2027. Choose from tours to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America and more.

QANTAS Red Tail Aussie sale runs out soon. From reef dives in Cairns, to brunch dates in Melbourne or stargazing in the Top End, start planning your dream getaway. Sale ends 11.59pm (AEDT) 13 November 2025.

PRINCESS CRUISES says forget about Black Friday - the Blue Friday Sale is full steam ahead. Until December 9 2025, you can book your next Princess cruise with 50% reduced deposits.

HELLOWORLD invites you to visit the Northern Territory with some great fares from Virgin and packages to Alice Springs and the Top End. A four day Discover Alice special costs from $679pp twin share - or spend seven days discovering the NT from $1669.

FROM LAST WEEK:

CATHAY PACIFIC advises the ultimate rugby weekend is back. Experience the thrill of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2026 with our online exclusive early-bird packages starting from $1,488. Book now with the discount code EARLYR7AU to lock in exclusive early-bird deals on Flight + Event Ticket packages.

HX EXPEDITIONS is the world's longest running expedition cruise company. With bookings now open for the 2026 Antarctica season voyages, HX is offering some great sales to incentivise travellers to take that next step with up to $7,635 off all-inclusive expeditions. Conditions apply. Itineraries include Highlights of Antarctica - 12 days with savings of $1264. Book by December 3.

ACCOR invites you to save 20% or more and double your reward points. Book by 1st December 2025 and stay between December 8 2025 and March 15 2026. You'll automatically enjoy both offers combined.

LUXURY ESCAPES has a deal if you are heading to London. The hotel is the Marble Arch near Hyde Park - get two nights in a deluxe room plus buffet breakfast plus a bottle of wine for from $649.

TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club has just updated all Silversea rates on its website — many have been significantly reduced. Now is the perfect time to secure your next voyage at the best possible price.

Breakaway Travel Club has some great deals aboard Oceania - check out Bali to Sydney February 22, 2026 - 21 Nights aboard Riviera.

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. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.

Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Hong Kong Sevens

CATHAY PACIFIC advises The ultimate rugby weekend is back. Experience the thrill of the Hong Kong Sevens in 2026 with our online exclusive early-bird packages starting from $1,488. Book now with the discount code EARLYR7AU to lock in exclusive early-bird deals on Flight + Event Ticket packages.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Singapore Airlines

People often ask me - how do you know if an airline's Early Bird deal is value? Well I put in a set of dates - and check the price of all airlines - currently February 17 to London, return March 14 2026. I don't use Adelaide as the home port because the city of churches always gets ripped off. I am looking at business class. I would also advise don't always take the word of Webjet - carriers can have private deals for regular flyers. So - the best deals - Turkish $7021 (2 stops) Malaysia $7900, Qatar $9358, Singapore Airlines $9772, Emirates $10558. Remember you need to look carefully at what you are buying - do you really want to stopover for ???? hours? Best deal in my opinion - Malaysia Airlines. Looking forward to trying the new A330 Neo.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Malaysia Airlines

MALAYSIA AIRLINES says it is time for the flight of your dreams aboard the new A330 Neo. I don't know about other states  but in Adelaide the aircraft takes off in March next year. Long overdue I might add - the current aircraft is very tired inside. We had duct tape on the arm of one of the seats I was told the other day. I have checked the business class deals - they certainly are good value.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA says from today until October 31 2025, Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn up to 150% bonus Velocity Points on eligible Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways flights between Australia and Doha based on the fare type booked. Have to say I have looked at using Qatar from Adelaide - and business is still  very expensive. Check the applicable dates of travel.

HELLOWORLD is promoting a Globus deal - 17 day Spain, Portugal and Morocco tour - 16 nights from $6,156 - a saving of $500pp. Included is breakfast daily, two lunches and eight dinners.

ACCOR wonders if you are heading to New Zealand? This summer, save 15% on stays of two nights or more plus 5% extra for ALL members. From Pullman and Mövenpick to Novotel and ibis, your escape awaits.

QATAR has announced early bird fares to Europe. In the good old days these used to mean something - check to see if that is still the case. Book by 31 October 2025, for travel from 19 January until 31 October 2026. Examples: London Economy $1929 - Business $9409. Offer valid until 31 October 2025. Check the price from your home port. See also special fares to New York. As well, book exclusive flight + hotel packages in Phuket, Bangkok, Maldives and Doha by 31 October 2025 to collect 3x Avios with code SIGNATURE3X. 

RIYADH AIR is a new name for Australian travellers - the Saudi start-up airline will launch its first route from Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport to London Heathrow on October 26.

ALDI HOLIDAYS - yes the supermarket people - always have holiday deals - how about a 24 day best of Europe fly and tour holiday from London priced from $6999. They claim it is valued at 11000pp. Travel in April-December 2026.

CATHAY PACIFIC invites you to use the discount code SAVE250AU to unlock $250 off Business and Premium Economy class return flights to any of its destinations worldwide, for travel from now until 31 March 2026.

From last week: 

ATURA HOTELS  says now is the time to book and enjoy up to 20% off stays to 31 December 2025.  EVT Stays members get even more with an extra 10% off and more perks. 

AVALON WATERWAYS  invites you to book now to save up to $9,600 per couple. River cruise itineraries include eight days Amsterdam to Basil from $5624pp.

VIKING is celebrating Spring with free flight deals. Book a river voyage and fly free or an ocean or expedition voyage and your companion flies free. Offers end‌ 1‍ December‍ 2025‍. 

TRADE ONLY:  Luxury small-ship operator Unforgettable Croatia has a refreshed brand identity and new-look website. According to co-founder Graham Carter:  "The travel trade has been integral to our growth over the past 10 years, and we place immense value on the partnerships we've built with exceptional agents. 

The Travel Industry Club has some great deals aboard Crystal. According to Sue Francis - the line is more than just luxury.

Expedition Cruise Network  is offering all inclusive expedition cruising up to 25% off when you book by October 31. The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is a passionate community that brings together the world's leading expedition cruise operators and travel professionals.

Interline Travel has some great deals on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The program runs right through to June 2026.


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. Got a travel problem? Send us details to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller.