Last minute deals: London for beginners

By VICTORIA BARTLE


UNDER $2150


Book your next year's trip to London early and Flight Centre will sell you a "starter package" from $2149 a person, twin-share, that includes airfares, three nights' accommodation with breakfasts and a one-way airport transfer.

This deal is on offer until December 15 and, as an added bonus, each couple receives $400 worth of duty-free vouchers when they book.

Contact: Flight Centre freephone 0800 354 448


UNDER $14,200 - or $382 a day

Take a five-star quality cruise for 36 nights - and the return flights to catch the ship are free, as is an upgrade to a better cabin if you book by the end of this month.

The Air New Zealand or Austrian Airlines flights allow a stopover in Sydney or Melbourne, or Kuala Lumpur or Vienna. The cruise departs from Venice on May 31, sailing via Croatia, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Germany - finally berthing in Norway.

The cost is $14,159 - the equivalent of $382 a day and is the on-board, fully inclusive price. The flights are free and departure taxes, transfers and tips are also included. Book by November 30 and pay a deposit, and you will be given a cabin upgrade or a discount on an outside stateroom.

Contact: House of Travel Takapuna, freephone 0800 825 278

email takapuna@hot.co.nz

UNDER $1900

If you cannot afford that trip of a lifetime - or the time off to take it - you can still cruise in balmy waters with a last-minute deal for a Queensland cruise in February next year.

Starting and ending in Brisbane, the cruise stops at Hardy Reef in the Great Barrier Reef, Willis Island and Cairns before returning to Brisbane seven nights later, via the Whitsundays.

Available for sales until December 15, the package is priced from $1899 a person, twin share and includes return airfares and one night's pre-cruise accommodation in Brisbane.

Contact: Great Holiday Escape freephone 0800 446 543.

UNDER $800

Seven nights in Samoa - flying Polynesian Airlines - is on sale for $799 a person, as long as you complete your holiday by December 12 and book and pay by this Saturday (November 15).

This package cannot be used on November 15 or 22. Departures are from Auckland and the Saturday flight arrives in Samoa at 4.30am after departing at around 1am. The Tuesday flights are less daunting, departing at lunchtime.

The package includes seven nights' accommodation in a choice of hotels and the return flights, plus return airport transfers in Samoa.

Prices are based on payment by cash or cheque.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel, (09) 353 2626 email info@itchyfeet.co.nz