The ship: Oceania Regatta

Oceania Regatta carries around 600 passengers, with plenty of comfortable spaces to watch the world go by. Having undergone a complete makeover in recent years under the OceaniaNEXT initiative, this vessel features completely updated decor with modern cabins, light and bright public areas and an unmatched culinary offering.

Dining

Oceania Cruises prides itself on its amazing culinary offerings, and Regatta certainly does not disappoint. The Grand Dining Room open for breakfast and dinner, has a daily menu change with a spectrum of global cuisines with an extensive choice including regular favourites standard each day. For more casual dining there is the buffet at Terrace Grill, or you can grab a burger at Waves Grill open from breakfast until mid afternoon. Baristas serves espresso coffees and treats all day. And afternoon tea is served daily at 4pm in Horizons.

There are also two amazing specialty restaurants: Toscana which gives a true taste of Italy, and the Polo Grill a traditional steakhouse where the steaks are succulent and the sides are to-die-for. Everyone should try the lobster mac and cheese!

Suites

There are a variety of suites and staterooms available, from the ultimate owners suite to a selection of staterooms. All are tastefully decorated with designer fabrics and furnishings. With a mini bar, seating area and plenty of storage. Bvlgari amenities complete the feel of luxury on board.

Activities

While many on board Oceania Regatta simply enjoy reading a book or playing cards, there are also lots of activities available. Participating in things like trivia, table tennis and puzzle pages earns “Big O” points which can be redeemed for Oceania-branded prizes in a fun session at the completion of your voyage. Or just relax by the pool or enjoy a spa treatment. And to justify all that good food there is a gym with an extensive array of equipment.

The verdict

Oceania Regatta offers a small ship luxury experience, without being over the top. Casual country club is the feel with style an comfort the aim.
The food is excellent and there is an extensive choice of shore excursions.
An itinerary highlight was visiting the beautiful Milford Sound.
So the verdict? Highly recommend.

For a limited time only, travellers can take advantage of an impressive 40% discount and up to $600 in instant savings on select Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas sailings to select destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Itineraries:

Unwind in the picture-perfect islands of the South Pacific
Enjoy the experience of a lifetime aboard Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s most innovative ship, with a 7-night sailing in the South Pacific (departing from Brisbane) on  10 Nov 2023 from $799 per person for an interior cabin or $999 per person for a balcony stateroom. Highlights include two stops in Vanuatu, first at the stunning and enigmatic Mystery Island which offers a unique and captivating experience, followed by the authentic and bustling Port Vila, a place where passengers will find vibrant markets, stunning landscapes, and warm and welcoming locals.

Looking for a longer getaway? Alternatively, Royal Caribbean is offering two 9-night sailings to the South Pacific aboard Ovation of the Seas, departing 3 Dec 2023 from $1,249 per person and Quantum of the Seas, departing 12 Dec 2023 from $1,099 per person for an interior cabin. Both sailings offer balcony staterooms from $1,449 per person. These sailings make an additional stop at Noumea, New Caledonia which offers a unique blend of stunning coastal landscapes and a vibrant local French culture.

Sunny escapes with the Sunshine State
Want to make the most of what Australia has to offer? Royal Caribbean has you covered with two Queensland sailings on sale now. Explore Queensland on a 6-night sailing aboard Quantum of the Seas departing from Brisbane on 4 Nov until 10 Nov 2023, with interior cabins starting at $849 per person and balcony staterooms starting at $999 per person. Holidaymakers can immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of Airlie Beach, bask in the tropical paradise of Cairns (Yorkeys Knob).

Take on Queensland like never before with Royal Caribbean’s 11-night Great Barrier Reef sailing aboard Brilliance of the Seas departing 8 Dec 2023 from $1,349 per person for an interior cabin or $1,699 per person for a balcony stateroom. This sailing will also visit Airlie Beach and Cairns, as well as making a stop in Port Douglas where passengers have easy access to two World Heritage sites: Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Embark on a journey to an ancient landscape that has stood for 180 million years, where you can snorkel amidst vibrant coral reefs and prehistoric plant species, or indulge in the pristine blue waters of Four Mile Beach, embraced by lush rainforest.

Explore picturesque New Zealand
As part of this limited time deal, Royal Caribbean has also included two New Zealand sailings aboard Ovation of the Seas, one departing 13 Nov 2023 with interior rooms starting at $1,399 per person and balcony staterooms starting at $1,599 per person, and the other departing 23 Nov 2023 with interior rooms from $1,349 per person and balcony staterooms from $1,549 per person where rugged mountains, pristine fjords, and vibrant cities await discovery! Sailing from Sydney, travellers will cruise to Milford Sound, before reaching Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and Dunedin. Depending on the cruise, passengers will visit Napier or Lyttelton, then Wellington and Picton, before sailing back to Sydney.

Ship Overview: Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas offer exclusive first-at-sea experiences including the North Star viewing deck, RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator, the Bionic Bar, SeaPlex, Two70, and the FlowRider surf simulator. Each ship features 16 decks and guests can choose from a wide range of food and beverage options with a multitude of restaurants including Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille and Wonderland.

The 2023-24 season also welcomes a big Down Under debut with the arrival of Brilliance of the Seas, touting new destinations and itineraries from Sydney. Brilliance of the Seas is the second Radiance Class ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. For guests who love world-class dining and stellar entertainment – they’ll love a getaway onboard Brilliance of the Seas. The ship brings fleet favourites, like rock climbing 12 metres above deck, a rotating bar with spectacular views and the Adventure Ocean® youth programme.

For more details about sailings from Australia and to book, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

Terms and conditions: *Price is per person, in AUD, cruise only, based on double occupancy, and reflects all promotional savings.

To read the full T&C’s, please click here.

SOURCE: Royal Caribbean

For the upcoming April school holidays and also the school holidays in July, Out of the Ordinary Outback is offering free camping or caravanning for kids at its billabong-fringing Warrawong on the Darling outback retreat near Wilcannia and at its dune-nestled Broken Hill Outback Resort.

Warrawong on the Darling has introduced a range of new experiences such as cycling and kayaking to help guests enjoy and explore the nearby billabong and surrounding desert on the outskirts of Wilcannia.

Including the free rates for children aged 12 and under, a family of four can camp or stay in their caravan on a powered site during the April or July school holidays from just $42 per night at Warrawong on the Darling ($32 for unpowered site) and from $48 at Broken Hill Outback Resort ($38 unpowered site). Advanced bookings are recommended for school holidays.

Multi-property stays
Out of the Ordinary Outback is also offering roadtrip lovers a 10% discount on stays at two or more of its seven properties on the one trip through the region.

The open-ended offer (no booking or stay deadlines) is valid at the dune-cradled Broken Hill Outback Resort, 14 km outside the historic city, as well as The Argent Motel and The Tourist Lodge – both in Broken Hill, the Copper City Motel/Hotel in Cobar, the billabong-side cabins at Warrawong on the Darling at Wilcannia, the remote Ivanhoe Hotel Motel and the famous White Cliffs Underground Motel – Australia’s largest underground accommodation.

Including the 10% discount, nightly rates (all per room for up to two people) start from just $110 at Copper City Motel/Hotel,  $190 for a subterranean room in the iconic White Cliffs Underground Motel and $195 in a deluxe king spa apartment overlooking the desert at the Broken Hill Outback Resort.

Less touristed and free of crowds, the easily accessible and close-to-home NSW Outback boasts majestic, ochre-red sand dunes, endless plains, Aboriginal rock art, star-filled skies and rugged ranges as well as character-filled outback pubs brimming with stories.

Road journeys from capitals like Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne can take highway wanderers to frontier towns like the mining centres of Cobar and Broken Hill, the remote and quirky opal hamlet of White Cliffs, the historic ghost towns of Wilcannia and Silverton and the home of the famous ‘Big Bogan’ statue, Nyngan.

Book direct through Out of the Ordinary Outback on 1300 679 688 or visit www.outoftheordinaryoutback.com.au

SOURCE: Out of the Ordinary Outback

The iconic tour group is offering massive savings of up to $3,000 per couple ($1,500 per person) on selected Kimberley tours booked between 27 March and 19 May 2023, for travel between 27 March 2023 and 31 March 2024.*

The Kimberley region offers natural drama, dozens of gorges, a wonderland of waterfalls, countless encounters with wildlife while feeling immersed in World Heritage Sites, with sunsets and night skies that are out of this world. AAT Kings tours feature the best of these sites, as well as fabulous accommodation options including El Questro and the newly refurbished Discover Resorts – Kings Canyon, both owned by G’day Group.

From the ultimate 21-day Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley tour (from $14,355 per person, twin share, save up to $3,000 per couple*), where travellers can learn about and explore the thermal spring oasis that is Emma Gorge, then stay in tented cabins at El Questro, in the ‘heart of the Kimberely’. The sale includes the 11-day Wonders of the Kimberley tour (from $7,825 per person twin share, save up to $1,600 per couple*), the 21-day Untamed Kimberley & West Coast tour (from $14,355 per person, twin share, save up to $3,000 per couple*) and the 11-day Untamed Kimberley (from $7,825 per person twin share, save up to $1,600 per couple*).

The current offer also gives travellers the chance to tack on a Northern Territory adventure, with savings across the 15-day Outback Adventure tour (from $8,045 per person, twin share, with up to $800* off per couple) which allows guests the opportunity to condense the best of South Australia and the Northern Territory into two weeks of epic exploration, where guests will be treated to the best of accommodations, like the newly refurbished Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon. Northern Territory sale offerings also include the 11-day Outback Safari (from $6,490 per person, twin share, save up to $600 per couple) and the 6-day Outback Contrasts (from $4,740 per person, twin share, save up to $400 per couple).

AAT Kings CEO, Ben Hall, said “WA is a dream destination and this partnership allows us to further promote and support this remarkable part of the world. We’re absolutely confident that despite the challenges the region and locals have faced, our guests will have an unforgettable experience exploring this magnificent area, making the most of those unique locations and accommodations our friends at G’day Group have to offer.”

G’day Group CEO Grant Wilckens said, “the Kimberley is one of Australia’s last wild frontiers and a destination everyone should have at the top of their bucket list. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the region and experience the natural wonder of Australia’s north after a big wet.

“We’re proud to be working alongside an experienced operator like AAT Kings to encourage people to head north this winter, experience the best of regional Australia and support these communities who’ve been doing it tough in recent months.”

For more information and to book, see your travel agent or visit: www.aatkings.com/wasale

*Terms and conditions:

Save up to $3,000 per couple ($1,500 per person) on selected tours; Wonders of the West Coast & Kimberley (WPBD) and Untamed Kimberley & West Coast (WDBP), and save up to $1,600 per couple ($800 per person) on selected tours; Wonders of the Kimberley (WBD) and Untamed Kimberley (WDB). Must be booked by 19 May 2023. Offer valid for sale between 27 Mar 2023 – 19 May 2023, for select travel departures from 27 Mar 2023 – 31 Mar 2024. Not combinable with any other discount. Discounts are subject to availability (for select tours and departures), limited seats, offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For new bookings only. Excludes group and charter bookings. Other standard booking conditions apply. Contact your travel agent or speak to our experts for more details. Use promocode WASALE. Updated 21 Mar 2023.

SOURCE: AAT Kings / G’day Group IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism Western Australia

Queenslanders living between Townsville and Mackay can now book their Daydream Island getaway and receive 10% off the best flexible rate, complimentary return ferry transfers, complimentary daily breakfast and a 12pm checkout.

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Daydream Island Resort offers a wide variety of activities to suit every traveller including its very own Living Reef, scuba diving and watersports, helicopter rides, a Kids Club and more.

Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef is ideally located on Queensland’s picturesque Whitsundays Islands and the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. The stylish and tranquil island resort offers refurbished spacious and modern rooms and suites with stunning views overlooking the pool and garden landscapes or with ocean views.

For more information, go to https://www.daydreamisland.com/stay/dealsandpackages/queenslanders

Stay Dates: Now until 31^st August 2023

10% off Best Flexible Rate

Package inclusions:

• Daily Breakfast
• Return Ferry transfers
• 12pm Late Checkout

*Terms and conditions apply. No further discount for Daydream club members, Subject to availability at the time of the booking, black-out dates apply. 14-day cancellation policy.*

SOURCE: Daydream Island Resort

Have an immersive, cultural experience with no passport required. Guests can connect with Aboriginal culture on an Uluru Base Walk guided tour or brush up on their dot-painting skills with the Aboriginal Anangu artists of Maraku. See the world’s best vistas, from Kata Tjuta to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, and experience the desert night sky while visiting the Earth Sanctuary in Alice Springs.

As the country’s most iconic tour group which has been operating in Australia and New Zealand for over 100 years, AAT Kings and Inspiring Journeys sale tours include the Outback Safari 11 days (from $6,490pp twin share, save $300pp) and Outback Adventure 15 days (from $8,045pp twin share, save $400pp) and Inspiring Journeys tours including Kakadu’s Ancient Secrets 5 days (from $4,165pp twin share, save $200pp) and Northern Territory Dreaming 11 days (from $9,465pp twin share, save $400pp).

Travel must be booked by 21 Jun 2023 and terms and conditions apply*.

For more information and to book, ask your Travel Agent or visit:

AAT Kings – www.aatkings.com/ntsale
Inspiring Journeys – www.inspiringjourneys.com/ntsave

*Terms and conditions:

Guided Holiday and Small Group Terms and Conditions – Save up to $800 per couple ($400 per person) on selected AAT Kings First Choice, Best Buys and Inspiring Journeys Guided Holidays/itineraries. Offer valid for sale between 20 Feb to 21 Jun 2023, for select travel departures from 1 Apr 2023 to 31 Mar 2024. Not combinable with any other discount. Discounts are subject to availability, limited seats and offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For new bookings only. Excludes group and charter bookings. Other standard booking conditions apply. Please quote NTSALE at the time of booking. Updated 12 Jan 2023. Short Break Terms and Conditions – Save up to $120 per couple ($60 per person) on selected AAT Kings Short Breaks (offer valid for Adults only, not applicable for unaccommodated short breaks). Offer valid for sale between 20 Feb to 21 Jun 2023, for select travel departures from 1Apr 2023 to 31 Mar 2024. Not combinable with any other discount. Discounts are subject to availability, limited seats and offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. For new bookings only. Excludes group and charter bookings. Other standard booking conditions apply. Please quote NTSALE at the time of booking. Updated 12 Jan 2023. 

SOURCE: AAT Kings  IMAGE CREDIT: Tourism NT and Jason Charles Hill

And if you journey with Murray River Paddlesteamers this July, you’ll also receive free entry to the spectacular Moama Lights Festival on the river.

Overnight guests on the PS Emmylou can enjoy the scenic and lesiurely 3.5 hour V/Line train trip between Melbourne and Echuca on the Murray for free, with Murray River Paddlesteamers also covering the transfers between the railway station and the riverboat. The move will also encourage interstate guests to fly to Melbourne to join the complimentary train trip to their river cruise and back again. If guests prefer to drive, Murray River Paddlesteamers will now offer free, secure carparking in Echuca instead.

The world’s only wood-fired paddlesteamer carrying overnight passengers and carrying just 16 guests, the famous PS Emmylou starred in the hit 1980s TV mini-series, ‘All the Rivers Run’, starring Sigrid Thornton, and is still one of the most recognisable and iconic paddlesteamers in Australia. Powered by a restored 1906 steam engine and totally refurbished with deluxe cabins and ensuites, the charm-filled riverboat offers authentic, all-inclusive journeys along the mighty Murray with stops to visit wineries, historic farm stations, indigenous sites, wildlife along tributaries and country towns.

In its most expansive program ever, Murray River Paddlesteamers is this year offering a full calendar of three, four and new seven-night cruises on the iconic Murray River around Echuca on the Victorian/NSW border. Each luxury cabin has a private ensuite, air-conditioning, wi-fi and opens directly onto the paddlesteamer’s timber deck. Guests enjoy gourmet meals on deck or in the charming saloon, riverside picnics and a memorable campfire dinner on the riverbank under the stars. Each evening, PS Emmylou ties up at tranquil and remote moorings, allowing guests to experience the serenity and wildlife of the bush at night.

* Savings of 10% have been released for all overnight cruises this June, July and August. Including the discount, twin-share fares this winter are available from $1,521 per person for a three-night sailing, $2,070 per person for a four-night cruise and $3,582 for the new seven-night journey, when booked by 30 April 2023.

A cutting of the solo traveller surcharge from 60% to 45% means solo fares on the winter sailings this year are now available from $2,451 for a three-night cruise, $3,335 for a four-night sailing and $5,771 for a seven-night journey – book by 30 April 2023.

* Plus, all guests on sailings from 1-23 July this year will receive free tickets to see the spectacular Moama Lights Festival near Echuca which will see a sound and light show illuminate the Murray and surrounding redgums.

Cruise fares include return V/Line train trips from Melbourne or carparking in Echuca, all onboard meals, daily shore excursions, selected beers and wines with dinner and soft drink, bottled water and tea/coffee throughout the cruise and coach transfers during the cruise.

Call Murray River Paddlesteamers on 03 5482 5244 or visit www.psemmyloucruises.com.

** The solo savings are via phone bookings only. Fares and offers are subject to availability and conditions apply.

SOURCE: Murray River Paddlesteamers

Experience New Zealand’s natural beauty onboard one of the world’s most groundbreaking cruise ships, Ovation of the Seas. From just $1,299pp, this 10-night tour explores the natural wonders and urban attractions of both New Zealand’s South and North Islands. Departing from Sydney on 12 Feb 2023, holidaymakers will experience some of New Zealand’s rugged coastline including Milford Sound and Wellington before returning back to Sydney on 22 Feb 2023.

And for solo travellers, Royal Caribbean is offering a blissful 17-night transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas from 12 to 29 Apr 2023. Travel from Brisbane to the unspoilt beaches of Moorea, French Polynesia and Hawaii (Kailua Kona) from $1,399 based on sole occupancy and an interior cabin.

For those looking to embrace island life, Ovation of the Seas will sail from Sydney for 18-nights from 15 Apr to 2 May 2023, to New Zealand, before making its way to beautiful Papeete, Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia. Guests can book now from $1,799pp based on sole occupancy and an interior cabin.

Two Quantum Class Market: Last year, Royal Caribbean welcomed back two Quantum Class ships to Australia; Quantum of the Seas sailing from Brisbane and Ovation of the Seas which homeports in Sydney. 

Quantum of the Seas offers the boldest, most unique adventures Queensland has ever seen and a gateway to the picture-perfect islands of the South Pacific. As one of Royal Caribbean’s most high-tech ships, every sea day is as memorable as adventures onshore.

Ovation of the Seas is the third ground-breaking ship to join Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class. She holds over 4,905 passengers at full occupancy and 1,500 crew.

Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas offer exclusive first-at-sea experiences including the North Star viewing deck, RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator, the Bionic Bar, SeaPlex, Two70, and the FlowRider surf simulator. Both ships feature 16 decks and guests can choose from a wide range of food and beverage options with a multitude of restaurants including Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille and Wonderland.

For more details about sailings from Australia and to book, visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

Terms and conditions: *Price is per person, in AUD or NZD, cruise only, based on double-occupancy in a guarantee stateroom, and reflects all promotional savings.  Deal period: the limited time offers are available to book immediately until 5pm Tuesday 28 Feb 2023.
Not combinable with any other offer or promotion unless stated. 

SOURCE: Royal Caribbean 

• Noosa: Dive right into the heart of Noosa with a stay at Mantra French Quarter. The resort’s prime Hastings Street location is perfect for shopping, dining, sightseeing and activities. Stay three nights from $921* – a saving of up to 10%.
• Kingscliff: Submerge into the quintessential beach holiday at Mantra on Salt Beach or Peppers Salt Resort and Spa at the quaint seaside town of Kingscliff in Northern NSW. Stay at Mantra on Salt Beach from $574* for a three night stay or Peppers Salt Resort and Spa from $624* for a three night stay – both a saving of up to 15%.
• Lorne: Mantra Lorneis situated on the famous Great Ocean Road, leading to picture-postcard attractions such as the 12 Apostles, Bells Beach and the Great Otway National Park. Stay three nights from $798* – a saving of up to 10%.

To book, visit ALL.com

 *Subject to terms, conditions and hotel availability. Valid for sale and travel until 31 March, 2023. See website for full terms and conditions.

SOURCE: Accor Hotels

Enjoy a wildlife cruise on Shark Bay and cruise over World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. Stay in the Kimberley’s El Questro Wilderness Park and enjoy open-air dining at Emma’s Restaurant in El Questro. Travel through the Northern Territory via Katherine and Nitmiluk National Park to Darwin.

Trip inclusions also include:

• The services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director and Driver in the comfort of a luxury air-conditioned coach
• 17 nights in premium accommodation
• 33 meals – 17 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 15 dinners

This special offer is for travel dates from July to August 2023 and is priced from $9,965 per person, twin share, which is a saving of $2,000 per couple valid until 28 February 2023, or until sold out.

For more information call Travelmarvel on 1300 208 712, visit www.travelmarvel.com.au, or speak to your local travel agent.

Terms and conditions apply -see the website for details.

SOURCE: Travelmarvel