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12 April Best deals of the week

Not a great deal of movement this week on discounting. However we still have some great deals on all months, all regions.





A word about the state of the world at present and how it will impact the cruise industry in general and your plans specifically.



The world's financial markets are in absolute turmoil, with huge fluctuations in global currencies caused by trade disputes.


Although this is a new ball game, in many ways, we have been here before. Over the years, the cruise industry has faced many challenges, some even bigger than the current border disputes. From the various Gulf wars to SARS, 9/11, and COVID-19, there have been times when the industry has shut down completely. Whatever happens, short of missiles in the air, I can't envisage us repeating a complete shutdown. We will all get through this. People will continue to travel.


What is bound to happen is a repeat of past periods of global unease. Americans make up over 60% of global cruise ship passengers. They are a skittish bunch, and any time the heat is turned up, they will tend to be extra vary and stay close at home. This is already starting to happen with cancelations starting to flow through the system.


What is new this time around is a growing anti-American feeling that is becoming an entrenched global phenomenon. Tighter and more invasive border checks and controls are causing many people to reassess and cancel plans on traveling to the USA, and this is starting to impact bookings for cruises ex-USA ports, specifically Seattle, the Caribbean/Bahamas, and Mexico. Proportionally, these are domestic markets, and the impact will be less severe in terms of bookings lost. Indeed, these local North American markets could potentially see an uptick in bookings as Americans choose to stay close to home. Which would likely make up for any overseas cancelations domestically.


The biggest impact will be felt in Europe, especially the Med and high-end expedition markets like the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Kimberley. It's wealthy Americas that predominately fill these ships. As the Americans start to stay at home, cabins will go unsold. Additional pressure on yield may also start to to be felt as foreign nationals may decide to boycott any American company, and all the biggest players are American-based.


The short of the long here translates to a scenario where although initially the cost of overseas travel may rise in the short term, based on past periods of unrest, as people start to stay home, prices will have to drop, and drop significantly to fill the ships.


As with the share market, it's those who understand the long game, that can take advantage of price fluctuations and bag significant bargains.


Short of the long - Watch this space - huge discounts are coming.


 

Many of the deals published last week are still available. I've added these below.


Even if your big cruise is well over the horizon, now is the time to start to short list your preferred options 6 Star 4 Less can help, better than any other agency, in establishing a realistic and achievable budget.


Run a search this year for the months you are likely to cruise next year
Run a search this year for the months you are likely to cruise next year
Email these results to your inbox and save them to review next year
Email these results to your inbox and save them to review next year
Airline Staff - When on our interline page, you can select to view and email BOTH retail AND interline fares
Airline Staff - When on our interline page, you can select to view and email BOTH retail AND interline fares

Below are the best deals for the peak season in Europe this year.


As always, deals below and on the front page of our Website are open to everyone and have all been loaded into My Cruise Scanner.



 

The best deals this week by region and month


The Med




Northern Europe


Alaska



 

The best deals from last week - most are still available.




 

Deals from last week that may still be available.



To book or enquire, use our online chat.

 

Final Call: The Kimberley—The Kimberley is sold out this year. We are the only agency with access to the last remaining berths at prices thousands of dollars below normal.




 

All you need to know about all our preferred brands.


View our recently updated FAQs and compare brands and all inclusions.


 

Should you book now or wait?

  • Unsold cabins are the best indicator of whether prices will rise or fall. 

  • Only 6 Star 4 Less gives you access to this information

  • Watch this quick video to learn how to view all unsold cabins.. 


Add Cruise Line, Ship, and Date to the filters.
 


Just a quick recap about pricing:


  • All pricing below is USD, but we can sell most lines in AUD, and prices will usually work out cheaper but not always.

  • We will match or better any price.

  • We are fully licensed, registered, and insured in Australia.

  • NOTE: as you click through for live pricing, you may find discrepancies; this is because often only one or two cabins might be offered at the cheaper rates

  • As these sell out, prices will fluctuate.

  • Our live results update in real-time, and you can view how many cabins remain at each price point.

  • Airline Staff - Switch to interline to view even cheaper closed rates.


 

Compare the actual end cost vs the value of inclusions across brands.


What's included in standard fares
What's included in standard fares
Indicative additional value of Inclusions in our preferred high-end brands
Indicative additional value of Inclusions in our preferred high-end brands
Indicative additional costs fo products/services that are included for free on 6-star lines
Indicative additional costs fo products/services that are included for free on 6-star lines
Total cost of a 10-day cruise vs the value of inclusions offered on 6-star brands.
Total cost of a 10-day cruise vs the value of inclusions offered on 6-star brands.
 


Contact Captain James 0430 200 535


 

Hot Tip: If you missed our best deals last week, you should check them out; most are still current and available.

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    nib has 24-hour support with call centre staff based in Australia and international phone numbers you can access around the world. Many online insurance providers have no call centres or anyone you can speak to before your policy commences or during the claim process. Other providers may require you to purchase cover more than 21 days prior to departure otherwise any Covid event will not be covered. Other providers have specific cruise coverage, but if you read the fine print, they may not cover Covid once you board a cruise ship or any time after that. Credit card insurance may not provide the cover you expect, ask us for our Credit Card Myths Flyer and a checklist you can use to check your level of protection. We offer policies with no age limits and single trips in excess of 60 days. Our multi-trip annual policies are now offered by very few providers. Often times our annual multi-trip policy will work out cheaper than a single-trip policy.
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    INTERLINE CONDITIONS: In addition to all standard conditions of carriage of the operator you and all members of your travelling party must abide by the following: 1/ You must not disclose to any other guest on your cruise the nature of the discounts you have received. 2/ Any such breach can see the cruise operator, at their discretion, convert your fare to full commercial rates and you will be liable for the difference. 3/ As with staff travel on the airline of your employment, your behaviour must always be above reproach. Unruly and unacceptable levels of intoxication and abuse of staff are strictly forbidden and the operator has the right to offload you at any time. 4/ The operator can at any time revoke your ability to purchase future interline discounts. 5/ Interline rates are a privilege, not a right. You are entitled to them solely through the relevant interline agreement, which is a benefit directly related to your employment. Any unacceptable behaviour will be reported back to your employer which could result in the loss of airline staff benefits, and/or further disciplinary action. 6/ Eligible staff members need to realise that these rules apply to any beneficiary who books interline rates under their name. These rules must be clearly communicated to all passengers travelling under their benefit entitlement. INTERLINE RATES: You must provide us proof of employment in aviation for an Interline Rate. Unless otherwise advised, Interline bookings are non-refundable. Prices may change before departure. A price drop does not entitle you to any refund of your fare, (either deposits or full payments). We will always endeavour to get a price adjustment but understand that this is unlikely. FAB does not guarantee or warrant cruise itineraries. Itinerary changes are at the discretion of the cruise lines. Changes to itineraries are governed by the T&Cs of the cruise lines. Where we act as an agent, our quotes and itineraries will include a statement that advises you: • We act as an Agent; and • That our Terms and Conditions are in addition to the Terms and Conditions of each Travel supplier listed on the quote/itinerary; and • That it is the Terms and Conditions of the Travel supplier that determine the terms of • cancellation and refunds, if any INSURANCE: As most interline fares are 100% non-refundable, we urge you to consider the advice of the Australian Government that recommends everyone should purchase Travel Insurance. As a 6 Star 4 Less customer, you can get up to 30% off nib Travel Insurance. We have policies with no age limits that cover both cruises and covid related events (many do not). Our Annual multi-trip options may be cheaper than a single-trip policy. Read our guide on how insurance policies are priced when to buy, and how to save money: www.fabinterlinecruises.com/insurance If you have not already taken out Travel Insurance with us, please read the following carefully: If you become ill with Coronavirus If you are cruising and become ill with Coronavirus If you lose your luggage If you become ill or have an accident If you suffer the pain of a toothache or damage your teeth through an accident If you lose your tickets, travellers cheques, passport etc. If your transport is delayed If a relative at home becomes sick or dies If any of these things happen to you and you have no Travel Insurance, it will probably ruin what should have been a wonderful experience. Fab Interline Cruises, ABN 19610361025 is a distributor of NIB Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and receives a commission for nib products purchased through Fab Interline Cruises. 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Most countries and cruise lines require a minimum of 6 months of validity and some require that you have a completely blank page in your passport. VISAS: You must understand the VISA requirements for each port are. You are responsible to ensure that you obtain all required VISAS prior to departure. Failure to do so may see you denied boarding at the port of departure. We can not be held responsible for any problems or delays with the issuing of passports or the correct validity of Visas. VISIT https://smartraveller.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
  • Eligibility + Verification
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