If ever there was a week to dust off the passport, it’s this one. Ian McIntosh’s Weekly Travel Deals is back – brimming with cruise steals, sporting fever, and hotel indulgence. From sipping champagne on a deck between Barcelona and Cape Town, to nabbing prime seats at the AFL Grand Final, the bargains are enough to make even the most seasoned traveller’s heart race. Whether you’re plotting a 2027 Mediterranean escape or a quick getaway closer to home, these deals won’t just tempt you – they’ll have you packing before the kettle boils.
REGENT Seven Seas Cruises has released a couple of specials – Barcelona to Cape Town, 25 nights departing December 19 2025, and Doha to Cape Town, 20 nights departing May 2026. This is a premium product, but you could get up to 40% off.
HELLOWORLD is selling AFL grand final packages in conjunction with Virgin and ACCOR. The deals include two nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, transfers, and level 1 seating.
EMIRATES has miles on sale again. Enjoy a 25% bonus if you purchase by August 22.
MY CRUISES is selling a 21-night fly/stay cruise holiday departing in November 2026. Azamara is offering what it claims is $4,000 in bonus value. Included is a one-night hotel stay in Singapore.
TRAVEL ASSOCIATES features a five-night luxury London package for $4489pp, including flights with Qatar Airways. The hotel is The Mayfair, a Radisson Collection Hotel, in a superior room. Check dates.
VIKING ocean bookings are now open for 2027 and 2028 “quiet season” Mediterranean voyages. Sail for 15 days from $8,195pp between November and March. We all know Europe is packed in summer, so this makes sense. Add any extension to your 2027 or 2028 Mediterranean ocean voyage and save $3,000 per couple.
BEST WESTERN invites you to say hello to the newly refurbished Best Western Cambridge Hotel, Kununurra. Rewards members save 25% with rates from $182 per night, plus enjoy a continental buffet breakfast for only $1 when you book direct before the end of this month.
From last week:
CHIMU ADVENTURES is offering an all-inclusive Antarctica cruise departing Buenos Aires in March 2026. Priced from $14,789, the expedition includes international flights from Australia plus transfers. It looks like a great deal.
OCEANIA has released a small list of cruises offered with limited-time super special fares. They include Seoul to Shanghai, a 14-day itinerary departing February 21, 2026, from $4530pp. I have travelled on this line several times and can recommend it. Another itinerary is Auckland to Singapore, departing March 30, 2026.
TRADE ONLY: The Travel Industry Club points out that Oceania has reduced industry rates across all current offers and introduced new sailings—all clearly marked as “Updated” or “New” on the website. Many itineraries now extend into May and June.
Interline Travel is featuring Crystal deals through 2026—Silversea Japan on the Nova—Oceania Tahiti to Bali and Disney specials.
Remember, conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent, and travel insurance is essential. Finally, I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details. Got a travel problem? Send us details.
By Ian McIntosh
BIO:
Veteran journalist and publisher Ian McIntosh has spent a lifetime exploring the world and sharing its wonders. As the founder of Travelnews Australia, his nationally distributed, full-colour travel trade publication earned the esteemed Telstra Business Award. Though now retired, Ian remains a passionate globetrotter with a soft spot for small ship cruising and discovering good value hotels across Europe. His most recent adventure involved a rather enthusiastic Thai elephant named Bo, who promptly deposited him into a pond. A true storyteller at heart, Ian continues to travel with humour, curiosity, and an unwavering love for the road less travelled.
