SUMMER DOWN UNDER
The buy: It will soon be summer Down Under and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has put its four Wonders of Australia voyages on Seven Seas Voyager on sale.
The savings: The cruise line is offering free air and bonus savings of up to $6,000 a suite on selected sailings when booked by Dec. 30.
The catch: The free air is available from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver only.
Why it's worth it: Regent includes virtually everything in the cruise price, including all dining venues without any surcharges, wines and premium spirits, a selection of shore excursions in all ports and on-board gratuities. The 17-night Coral Reefs and Koalas cruise departing Jan. 6 from Singapore to Sydney, for example, sells from $11,299 a person – for a savings of $3,000 a person, a free three-night hotel stay in Sydney, roundtrip economy air, as well as stops in Bali, Darwin and Thursday Island, Australia. Upgrade to business class for an extra $1,499 each way.
Book it: Through a travel agent, visit RSSC.com or call 1-800-285-1835.
BARBADOS GETAWAY
The buy: Sunswept Beach Hotel and the all-inclusive Island Inn Hotel in Barbados have a Last Minute Getaway starting at $80 a night and $280, respectively.
The savings: More than 30 per cent for Sunswept, up to 10 per cent for the Island Inn.
The catch: Available only on reservations made on the hotels' websites and requires a full non-refundable payment. Available for travel up to Dec. 18.
Why it's worth it: Sunswept Beach Hotel, with 23 self-catering studios, is located on the beach of Holetown, minutes from area attractions that include golfing, scuba diving, shopping, dining and nightlife. The all-inclusive Island Inn Hotel is situated less than a mile from the centre of Bridgetown, steps away from Carlisle Bay Beach. Originally constructed in 1804 as a rum storage facility for British troops, the property is within the Garrison Historic Area.
Book it: For the Sunswept Hotel, e-mail reservations@sunsweptbeach.com or visit SunsweptBeach.com. For Island Inn Hotel, e-mail bookings@islandinnbarbados.com or visit IslandInnBarbados.com.
WINTER THAW IN JAMAICA
The buy: Half Moon, a 162-hectare resort in Rose Hall, Jamaica, has a Great Winter Thaw sale with nightly rates starting at $212 a person.
The savings: The seventh night is free and there is a $200 (U.S.) resort credit, room upgrade (if available) and roundtrip airport transfers in Jamaica.
The catch: The offer is not valid Feb. 17 to 26 and taxes, service charge and other resort fees are not included. Why it's worth it: Facilities at the AAA Four Diamond resort include Fern Tree, A RockResorts Spa, a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed 18-hole golf course, Half Moon Golf Academy, spinning studio, 13 lit tennis courts, dolphin lagoon, equestrian centre, fitness centre and 54 swimming pools.
Book it: Call 1-888-367-7625, or visit halfmoon.rockresorts.com.
CARIBBEAN CRUISE
The buy: MSC Cruises is offering special rates to Canadian residents for balcony staterooms on select seven-night Caribbean sailings of MSC Poesia early next year beginning at $799 for the first person and $499 for a companion.
The savings: Brochure prices for balcony staterooms are $1,800 a person.
The catch: The rates are cruise only and must be booked by Nov. 30. Fees and taxes are additional.
Why it's worth it: You have a choice of two itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale: the Jan. 14, 28 and Feb. 11 sailings (calling at Key West, Fla.; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Montego Bay, Jamaica) and the Feb. 4 and 18 sailings (calling at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Nassau, Bahamas).
Book it: Visit msccruisesusa.com
Special to The Globe and Mail
(Editor's note: Rates in "Barbados Getaway" deal have been corrected.)
