Editors' Travel Deal Review

$1699+: South Pacific cruises on sale

From Australia and New Zealand to Polynesia

By ShermansTravel Staff

February 19, 2008 01:38 pm EST

Book By:  ASAP

Travel By: December 2008

You may have a secret fantasy of sailing along the exotic islands of the South Pacific but these far-flung destinations are pricey to visit. We scoured the various offerings to bring you the best of the South Pacific deals out there. What we found is a trio of cruises, with discounts as high as 48% and prices as low as $1699.

 
Australia & New Zealand sailing
Next December, the upscale Holland America’s Volendam sets sail from Sydney to Auckland on a 14-night South Pacific voyage. This Australia and New Zealand sea adventure has the regular cost of $2889 but CruiseOnly reduced the hefty price to just $1699 for inside units. This reflects a discount of 41%! The ship hits high seas on December 5, en route visiting a series of Down Under and Kiwi destinations such as Melbourne, Christchurch, Fjordland National Park, and Tauranga. Oceanview cabins are selling for $1999; balconied units cost $3549.

 
Polynesia voyage with Regent Seven Seas
Dreaming of a spring voyage around the South Pacific? Orbitz has a fantastic offer for a nine-night Polynesia sailing this April aboard Paul Gauguin, a deluxe all- oceanview ship by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Departing roundtrip from Tahiti’s Papeete on April 26, this cruise takes in the heavyweights of French Polynesian islands. Those include Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’A, and Huahine. Oceanview cabins are now priced at $3165, as opposed to the rack rates of $4565, saving you 31%. Even balconied units are affordable, at $4265!

 
19-night South Pacific odyssey next Dec
Another Regent Seven Cruises journey around the South Pacific is on sale by Vacation Outlet. A 19-night odyssey aboard the all-suite Seven Seas Mariner departing next December has dropped in price by $5600! Indeed, the regular cost is $11,595 but it has been reduced to $5995. The ship departs from New Zealand’s Auckland toward Los Angeles, along the way visiting a string of Pacific destinations. Those include the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti, and the Marquesas. Thirteen days at sea are part of the circuit, too.

The rates above are listed per person, based on double occupancy. The cost covers onboard accommodations, meals and entertainment, as well as port charges. You’ll just have to dish out extra for government taxes and fees, as well as any shore excursions you may decide to take.

For the Polynesia cruise, go to www.orbitz.com or call 1-888-656-8184 and mention ShermansTravel.

For the South Pacific odyssey, visit www.vacationoutlet.com or call 1-800-TAKEOFF and mention ShermansTravel.