Australians are among the world’s largest consumers of business class travel, a new survey has shown. And those getting the best bargains are cruise passengers.
The survey, compiled for luxury travel planning company Virtuoso, showed Australians love luxury when they go on holiday, booking seats in the pointy end of the plane and nights at five star hotels more than most nationalities.
The CEO of Virtuoso, Mr Matthew Upchurch told the Australian Financial Review, “Australians are natural-born global citizens and you love your luxury travel.”
In fact, Australians make 25 per cent more luxury trips than the average international traveller and are the highest consumers of luxury travel per capita.
Australian are the second highest purchasers of business class seats per capital in the world, the survey shows.
And many of those reclining on flat beds and sipping champagne with their food are travelling to take up cruises in Europe, America and Asia.
Many airlines currently have their luxury seats on sale, which means there are plenty of bargains to choose from.
But a Cruise Passenger survey shows that cruise lines still offering the best prices, beating airlines easily with specials – providing you can cruise for just a little bit longer.
We compared fares for cities with major cruise ports in the UK and Europe, such as Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona and London. We found that you could be getting seats for more than $1000 cheaper just by booking with your cruise line.
Scenic River Cruises are offering business class seats with Emirates or Qatar from $4495 per person if you book European cruises of 15 day or longer departing in May.
Singapore Airlines early bird fares are offering the same seats to Rome at $5818, Barcelona at $5784, Amsterdam at $5857 and London at $6175.
Meanwhile, Qantas have sale price flights to Rome at $9546, Barcelona at $9472, Amsterdam at $9985 and London at $7107.
Emirates are also offering flights on sale to Rome at $8193, Barcelona at $8059, Amsterdam at $8162 and London at $7750.
If you book a Europe or Russia itinerary of 13 days or more with Viking River Cruises, they are offering business class return flights with airlines like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar and more for $4995 per person.
You’ll find the same seats to Moscow at $6581 with Singapore Airlines and prices from $8165 when flying with Qantas and Emirates, on your airline website.
For ocean cruises, Silversea is running a limited offer till November 30 this year where they provide business class flights with Emirates and Qatar for $4998 return when you book Northern Europe itineraries.
Uniworld has re-launched its Fly Free to Europe offer for the year, for three weeks for new bookings from October 15 until November 17. Guests can also upgrade to business class and fly from $3999 per person.
