All the lines offering free flights this season
Free or heavily discounted flights, business class upgrades, bonus stop-over accommodation and even free travel-partner incentives are some of the new tactics being used by river cruise lines to lure potential guests.
For Aussies wanting to enjoy a river cruise holiday in far-away destinations like Europe or Canada, these flight incentives are attractive and are becoming an increasingly popular draw card.
Here’s a look at what top lines Viking, Scenic, APT, Travelmarvel and Evergreen are offering for 2020:
Scenic
Scenic has begun rolling out a number of deals that offer cruises in more than 60 countries with cheap or discounted economy flights.
1. 15 Days Jewels of Europe
This is a 15 Day Jewels of Europe cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest on the The Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
The Flight Deal: All-inclusive cruise is priced from $6,695 per person twin share. Plus Economy flights to Europe for $125 per person on selected departures.
2. 15 Days Romantic Rhine and Moselle
This 15 Day Romantic Rhine and Moselle journey begins in Zurich and travels to Amsterdam.
The Flight Deal: All-inclusive cruise is priced from $7,695 per person twin share. Plus Economy flights to Europe for $125 per person on selected departures.
3. 14 Days Ancient history of the Nile
This 14-day itinerary of the ancient history of the Nile is offered on a 14 Day Egypt in Depth adventure, taking in the Great Pyramids, Abu Simbel and the temple of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.
The Flight Deal: Tour priced from $9,695 per person twin share. Plus economy partner flights included on selected departures.
4. 13 Days Treasures of the Mekong
Visit Vietnam on this 13 Day Treasures of the Mekong cruise and tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap.
The Flight Deal: All-inclusive from $7,395 per person twin share. Plus economy flights and bonus one night stopover in Singapore included on selected departures.
APT Touring
1. 13 Days Russian Waterways
Sail for 13 days from Moscow to St Petersburg.
The Flight Deal: From $9595 per person, including free flights – or Business Class flights for an extra $3995.
2. 15 Days Magnificent Europe
Sail for 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest
The Flight Deal: From $6,695 per person, including free flights.
3. 15 Days Voyage Through the Balkans
Sail for 15 days, Budapest return.
The Flight Deal: From $8,995 per person, including free flights.
4. 13 Days Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights
Sail for 13 days from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
The Flight Deal: From $7,995 per person including free flights.
Viking River Cruises
Viking has more than ten different river deals with flight incentives for 2020 / 2021. The deals range from Fly Free to Europe, Companion Fly Free, Fly Free to Russia and bargain Business Class Upgrades.
1. 23 Days European Sojourn
From Amsterdam to Bucharest
The Flight Deal: From $9,995 per person, Fly Free to Europe
2. 8 Days Rhine Getaway
From Amsterdam to Basel
The Flight Deal: From $3,495 per person, Companion Fly Free
3. 15 Days France’s Finest
From Paris to Avignon
The Flight Deal: From $6,495 per person, Fly Free to Europe
4. 13 Days Waterways of the Tsars
From Moscow to St Petersburg
The Flight Deal: From $7,995 per person, fly Free to Russia
Evergreen Cruises
1. 15 Days Splendours of Europe
From Budapest to Amsterdam. The 15-day itinerary visits 17 destinations on the Danube and Rhine.
The Flight Deal: The line is including flights for their 2021 ‘Splendours of Europe’ itinerary when you book by May 29, 2020. Prices from $7,615 for an October 2021 departure.
Travelmarvel
Fly Free on all European Gems and Russia River Cruises departing in 2020 from Australia. Free flights are also offered on China holidays of 22 days or longer. Limited offer available until sold out.
1. 15 Days European Gems
The Flight Deal: Fly Free on all European Gems departing in 2020 from Australia. Limited offer available until sold out. Request quote for prices.
2. 11 Days Treasures of Russia
The Flight Deal: Fly Free on all Russia River Cruises departing in 2020 from Australia. Limited offer available until sold out. Request quote for prices.
3. 20 Days Baltic Charm and Treasures of Russia
From Vilnius to Moscow. The journey starts on coach from Vilnius to Tallinn. Take a day cruise across the Gulf of Finland into Helsinki. Continue on a rail journey to St Petersburg where you start your Russian cruise on the Volga River.
The Flight Deal: Fly Free on all Russia River Cruises departing in 2020 from Australia. Limited offer available until sold out. Request quote for prices.
4. 14 Days Treasures of Russia and Helsinki
From Helsinki to Moscow
The Flight Deal: Fly Free on all Russia River Cruises departing in 2020 from Australia. Limited offer available until sold out. Request quote for prices.
5. 26 Days Vietnam, Cambodia & China Discovery
From Siem Reap to Shanghai.
Explore both the Mekong and the Yangtze river in this grand voyage. After sailing the Mekong, fly to Beijing from Ho Chi Minh City and take a rail journey to Chongqing where you embark your Yangtze river cruise.
The rail journey also features overnight stops in Xi’an, Chengdu. Continue on rail for an overnight stop in Wuhan before arriving in Shanghai where the itinerary concludes.
The Flight Deal: Fly free on China holidays of 22 days or longer. All air offers requires a non-refundable deposit of $2,000 per person is due within seven days of booking.
