Hot deals: Queensland cruising

By VICTORIA BARTLE

Under $1800

Travel to London or Amsterdam or choose Paris or Vienna and stay for up to six months with an airfare priced from $1799. A stopover in Taipei is allowed, costing an extra $250 a person.

You must book and pay by Thursday next week (July 15). Airport taxes are not included.

Contact: Destinations Unlimited, (09) 414 1680.
Email: sales@etravelnz.com


Under $2000

Come summer, "sea and shore" holiday deals to Queensland are being offered for the first time by P&O Cruises, with prices starting at $1499 a person for quad-share cabins and $1999 a person for twin-share cabins.

A 12-night fly, cruise and stay holiday out of Brisbane aboard P&O Cruises' Pacific Sky, includes return economy class airfares from Auckland flying Royal Brunei plus five nights' accommodation on either the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast.

The cruise takes in the Whitsundays, Cairns, Port Douglas and the coral sea sanctuary of Willis Island.

Fares include all onboard main meals and entertainment, ground transfers in Queensland and port charges, plus accommodation ashore. Extra discounts are available for children aged between two and 17.

The cruise departures are between November this year and April 2005.

Contact: travel agent or P&O Cruises, freephone 0800 441 766


Under $3000

Another cruise holiday option is within the Tahitian islands - with three sailings to choose from.

This is five-star cruising aboard Tahitian Princess, departing for 10-night cruises on September 4, 14 and 24 this year. Sales are available until booked out.

Included in the price, which starts at $2999 a person, twin-share in a balcony cabin, is a return airfare from Auckland to Papeete.

All onboard main meals and entertainment are included, as are taxes, port charges and cruise fees.

Contact: Joy at The Cruise Centre, (09) 308 8097.
Email: Joy.mckinstry@lionworld.co.nz


Under $1000

Fly direct to the idyllic island of Moorea from $999 a person (twin share) and stay for seven nights - but you must book and pay by July 25.

Travel is with Air Tahiti Nui from Auckland between July 1 and December 15.

A "Fantastic Meal Deal" is also available at $399 a person for breakfast and three-course dinners each day.

Airport and departure taxes are not included, but return airfares from Papeete to the island of Moorea are part of the package price.

Contact: House of Travel, freephone 0800 825 2786.