Ian McIntosh's top travel deals - Save on Silversea

That's it for this year folks. Have a happy and safe Christmas. We will be back in mid January.

SILVERSEA invites you to save up to 40% on more than 800 voyages with reduced deposits starting at 15%. As well, book your flights or land experiences with the line and enjoy additional savings of up to $1,000pp on select voyages. Remember to read the small print carefully.

UNITED AIRLINES new Adelaide service means deals - fares start from $1,578.40. Pity about the timing though  - Trump is just about to make travel to the US even more difficult.

CHINA SOUTHERN is also operating out of Adelaide  - and you can now score direct flights to China from $971.

CELESTYAL has unveiled a new seasonal campaign offering with savings of up to 50% on 226 sailings departing between now and October 2027. Select sailings have additional bonuses of up to €500 onboard credit as well as shore excursion credit of up to €200. 
 
CATHAY PACIFIC comes up with some strange deals these days - the latest -  get $75 off one-way Economy fares to any of the carrier's  destinations worldwide. Cant imagine a big rush - but book before December 31,

ACCOMMODATION:

FAR EAST HOSPITALITY'S Christmas gift to members is an additional S$100 off selected hotels and room categories.This company offers value accommodation if you are heading to Singapore.

OUTRIGGER RESORTS Fiji properties, Castaway Island, Fiji and  Fiji Beach Resort have been recognised as category leaders in the 2025 Out & About With Kids Readers' Choice Awards. Head to the site to explore savings of up to 30 per cent.

TRADE ONLY:

Interline Travel has spent six months updating its website. There are more than 2.300 cruises these days and now you can you can search by Ocean Cruising,  River Cruising, Expedition and Solo Cruising. Have a look. 

The Travel Industry Club has introduced two new cruise lines - Botanic World Discoveries and Heritage Line - the latter offering luxury Vietnam and Cambodia plus Mekong River Cruises,  The ships host a maximum of 26 guests.

Tauck will wind down its dedicated sales and reservations team in Australia in stages throughout 2026.  Hard to believe - but the company says it will draw upon its robust global network to support travel advisors and guests in Australia. 

Celestyal celebrated the start of its second Arabian Gulf season by hosting 13 global partners onboard Celestyal Journey's special 'Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix' sailing. The famil, supported by Department of Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism, saw agents enjoy three-nights onboard Celestyal Journey.
                                                                                                                 
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has opened its Accreditation Renewal Portal for the 2026 accreditation year, providing accredited travel businesses with early access to complete their renewal.

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 - 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.

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.

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.