Luxury expedition cruises to Australasia

Qantas Holidays has introduced a new programme of luxury expedition cruises to explore remote areas of Australasia with Orion Expedition Cruises.

The cruise options are:

• 2010 Expedition Cruises in Australasia with 7 nights Wild Tasmania from £2,699 (read more)
• 2011 Expedition Cruises in Australasia with 2 nights New Zealand Expedition Sampler from £959 (read more)
• 2011 Expedition Cruises in Asia with 7 nights Gulf of Siam Explorer from £3,349 (read more)

To support the launch of these great options, Qantas Holidays is offering the following incentive for all bookings made on 2010 and 2011 departures:

• An added value amount of £300 per booking to be used for pre or post arrangements, tours and excursions. Cannot be used to reduce the fare.

Orion Expedition Cruises is a fantastic way to explore Australasia and Asia, combining luxury cruising with the chance to get up close and personal with the people, wildlife and culture. Many parts of the Asia-Pacific region remain largely inaccessible to conventional touring options but with Orion Expedition Cruises travellers can get to remote areas with experienced expedition leaders, hopping onboard zodiac boats to get into small inlets and islands, returning each night to the luxury of the cruise ship.

- 2010 Expedition Cruises in Australasia– 7 nights Wild Tasmania from £2,699
Highlights of the Australasia expedition cruises include unrivalled glimpses of the amazing scenery, culture and bio-diversity of Australia and New Zealand. The ‘Wild Tasmania’ cruise starts and ends in Hobart and departs on 1 December 2010, taking in the starkly beautiful Flinders Island along with the dramatic, red granite peaks of Wineglass Bay and apple blossom and vineyards of Port Huon.

- 2011 Expedition Cruises in Australasia – including 2 nights New Zealand Expedition Sampler from £959
From the two night ‘New Zealand Expedition Sampler’ (departing 25 February 2011) up to the 20 night ‘Scott and Shackleton’s Antarctica’ (departing 27 January 2011, from £12,635), the 2011 programme has something for adventurers of all tastes and budget. The ‘New Zealand Expedition Sampler’ offers a taste of the coastline of bays and white sand beaches of the beautiful Bay of Islands, where the Maoris first arrived.

- 2011 Expedition Cruises in Asia – including 7 nights Gulf of Siam Explorer from £3,349
Explore Japan’s inland sea, the rainforests of Borneo, the temples of Thailand and the Mekong Delta from the comfort of the Orion II, fresh from an £11 million refit. The ‘Gulf of Siam Explorer’ operates from Singapore to Bangkok or in reverse, departing on 10 October and 22 December 2011. Highlights include visiting sublime islands and beaches as well as some of Asia’s major centres, seeing both traditional and modern Asia from a different perspective, often far away from the crowds.

All prices include:

• Taxes, fees and port related charges
• Cruise transportation
• All meals onboard
• 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programmes
• Use of ship’s sporting equipment and facilities
• Zodiac excursions and tender transfers

Fares do not include: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping onboard, bar expenses, optional shore experiences, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges, international and domestic flights.

All prices are ‘from’ prices, per person, based on two adults sharing. Qantas Holidays general booking conditions apply.

Incentive terms and conditions:

£300 added-value

Applies to all new bookings made by 31 October 2010. Cannot be used towards discounting the price, and must be used as an additional part of the overall cruise holiday experience, such as pre- or post- accommodation, transfers, or touring. £300 is payable per stateroom based on twin occupancy. Single occupied staterooms are eligible to £150. May be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Subject to availability.

For more information and reservations, visit: qantasholidays.co.uk