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Travel Bargains - Cruising

Get a great deal on your next cruise. We give you tips and advice to help you find a bargain and save money!

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It's touted as the ultimate all-inclusive holiday, where you pay upfront and unpack only once. And Cruise Express ­director Hardy Schneider, voted best cruise consultant for 2008 in Australia by the International Cruise Council of ­Australasia, says there are still some serious bargains to be found -such as the 21-night European fly/­Mediterranean cruise package aboard the Volendam and a night in Rome, priced at $4999. "You would be looking at $8000 or $9000 for that cruise a year ago," he says. Last-minute fares on Cunard's Queen Victoria on its recent world voyage started at $104 a night, from Sydney to Singapore. "Where else can you buy all your accommodation, meals and entertainment for $104 a night?" asks Schneider. "You can't beat that." Next year's World Voyages with ­Cunard are already being offered at 49% off, he said.

Two-for-one deals have also been available on popular European river cruises on short notice (up to eight weeks out). "People used to book six and eight months out, but that's changed -which means there are a lot of empty cabins at the moment as more people leave their bookings to the last minute." With everything from meals to sightseeing included for the price, Schneider says cruising makes even a European holiday good value. But he warns that such hot deals usually sell out within a day. Members who register at www.cruise express.com.au are alerted as soon as they come in. "You have to be quick," advises Schneider.

For a list of other top cruise specialist agents near you, see the International Cruise Council Australasia's website at www.cruising.org.au.

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