ian McIntosh's top travel deals - China Southern returns to Adelaide

Not much happening this week after the Black Friday deals - or were they?  According to the experts, the airline specials didn't  overwhelm due to limited availability.

CHINA SOUTHERN has returned to Adelaide Airport - and to celebrate, if you are planning a 2026 escape to China you can now score direct flights from $971.

BEST WESTERN has a deal for Rewards Members. Save up to 25% on a two-night stay at select Best Western hotels across Australia and New Zealand. This offer ends December 16 2025.

ACCOMMODATION:

ADINA BARRACK PLAZA in the heart of Perth's CBD has completed a $4 million refurbishment. To celebrate its Getaway Package includes a bottle of wine, late checkout and rates from $209.

FROM LAST WEEK: 

MALAYSIA AIRLINES Black Friday deals include up to 20% off selected flights to destinations like Singapore, Krabi, and Tokyo, along with up to 25% off children's fares. Enrich members can get an extra 5% off, and there are also savings on Golden Lounge access and seat selection.

CELESTYAL has unveiled a new snap sale offering savings of up to 70% on 113 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027. Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 16 departures of the seven-night 'Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens.

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

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. 

TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club has updated Oceania cruise deals and released new rates. Have a look at Sydney to Bali - 14 nights departing February 8.

Interline Travel has released 2026 rates for Coral Expeditions - Kimberley's cruise line. Coral Adventurer carries a maximum of 120 passengers,

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. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller. Remember, we have no commercial relationship with any operator.

Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Beware Black Friday

The Black Friday travel deals look great at first glance  - but don't forget to read the small print. 

MALAYSIA AIRLINES Black Friday deals include up to 20% off selected flights to destinations like Singapore, Krabi, and Tokyo, along with up to 25% off children's fares. Enrich members can get an extra 5% off, and there are also savings on Golden Lounge access and seat selection.

CATHAY PACIFIC has also joined the Black Friday promo but I don't have final details. Here is the message:  "On Thursday 27 November 2025, our highly anticipated Black Friday Sale to all our destinations worldwide is landing.  Get ready to discover more of the world with savings on flights to everywhere we fly."

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES Black Friday bonus is up to 45% off and US$500 shipboard credit per suite on select ultra-luxury voyages - but you need to hurry. The deals  sail away on December 2. Have a look at the 18 night Sydney to Singapore sailing departing on January 27 2026.

HX EXPEDITIONS, the world's oldest and longest running expedition cruise company, has list of discounted fares on voyages to Antarctica.  For instance: Life Returns: Springtime Expedition to Antarctica –23 days, cruising from October 2026.  Savings are from AU$6,816 - but again you need to hurry. December 3 is the last day to book.

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EUROPCAR is ready to get you on the road for less: save up to 20% on your next car hire for Cyber Monday. Book until December 7 and hit the road.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA's Black Friday contribution is up to 50% off economy X seats - more legroom for less is the slogan.

BOOKING.COM is offering up to 40% off stays until December 3. There are also deals on flights, car rental and airport transfers.

FROM LAST WEEK: 

CELESTYAL has unveiled a new snap sale offering savings of up to 70% on 113 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027. Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 16 departures of the seven-night 'Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

ACCOMMODATION: The Christmas decorations went up last night in ever busy Merchants Street Valletta. Despite how late it is in the season, there are still plenty of people strolling about Malta's capital. Ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John, Valletta's 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. If you want to really spoil yourself stay at The Saint John hotel - get a premium room overlooking Merchants Street. You will be right in the centre of the action - and the rooms are outstanding - large, beautifully decorated, with all of the trimmings. We have stayed here twice now and  can happily recommend the experience.

TRADE ONLY: Breakaway Travel Club has some last minute industry deals for the school holidays aboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Included is an 11 night New Zealand Cruise departing Sydney on December 28 2025 aboard RCL's Anthem of the Seas.

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. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller. Remember, we have no commercial relationship with any operator.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Mediterranean with Celestyal

CELESTYAL has unveiled a new snap sale offering savings of up to 70% on 113 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027. Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 16 departures of the seven-night 'Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia cruise, sailing roundtrip from Athens. For more information visit celestyal.com or call 1800 648 737.

ETIHAD's Global Black Friday deals offer up to 35% off your favourite destinations, and you earn miles every time you fly. Book by November 30 2025 for travel from January to June 2026.

CHINA EASTERN is offering Business Class round-trip from Australia to Europe fares from $5,990. Seats are limited. Travel period is from Jan to August 2026. More details, Your Holidays or your travel agent.

FROM LAST WEEK:
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ACCOMMODATION: The Christmas decorations went up last night in ever busy Merchants Street Valletta. Despite how late it is in the season, there are still plenty of people strolling about Malta's capital. Ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John, Valletta's 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. If you want to really spoil yourself stay at The Saint John hotel - get a premium room overlooking Merchants Street. You will be right in the centre of the action - and the rooms are outstanding - large, beautifully decorated, with all of the trimmings. We have stayed here twice now and can happily recommend the experience.

SOFITEL ADELAIDE has the answer if you are looking for a luxury break. Enjoy an elegant overnight stay, a three-course dinner and lavish buffet breakfast at Garçon Bleu, plus a welcome drink from $599.

TRADE ONLY:
The Travel Industry Club's Sue Francis says 2026 Industry Rates for Seabourn are now available.
Mediterranean sailings for 2026 are open from June to October, with 7,14 and 21-day itineraries. Look also at the interesting itineraries in Japan, Asia, and Alaska.


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. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to ianmac@travelagentupdate.com. Ian McIntosh is Australia's senior traveller. Remember, we have no commercial relationship with any operator.

Ian McIntosh's Top Travel Deals - Black Friday

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.

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.