The Cunard Line trans-Atlantic cruise is one of the quintessential cruise holidays. Crossing the Atlantic from Southampton to New York (or the reverse) is a bucket list experience. 

One of the most common responses travel agents hear when recommending travel insurance is: "That's ok, I have free travel insurance with my credit card".  Even though the cost of the travel insurance premium may be built into the annual card fee or interest rate, the true cost of credit card travel insurance can be much higher if it doesn't cover you when it comes to claim time.  Here are three of the common traps we encounter with credit card travel insurance.

Cruise holidays are now almost mainstream for New Zealand travellers, but many are looking to join a cruise for the first time.  Cruises from Auckland are popular with Fine Travel clients as a way to "dip a toes in the water" as the itineraries are close to home, can reduce wasted travel time in airports and there are many exceptional itineraries.  In this blog we share 5 tips for choosing your first cruise from Auckland.

Learn More About How to Choose A Cruise Holiday 

As we have a significant distance to fly from New Zealand to the UK / Europe, it is often tempting to think "I just want to get there" and as a travel agency we hear that from many of our clients.  However, for Business Class flights to the UK and Europe we are seeing greater interest in stopover packages - and for good reason.

One of the most common reasons Fine Travel clients give for looking at Business Class airfares to the UK / Europe is that they want (or need) a lie-flat seat and the extra space on such a long flight.  The Emirates Mixed Business Class / Economy Class airfare makes this a more affordable option on a premium airline.

The release of discounted Business Class flights provides travellers from New Zealand with a wide variety of choices.  The challenge can sometimes be finding the special that works best for you.  The question we hear most often is whether there is a lie-flat seat. But does picking up a discounted Business Class airfare mean you have to miss out in other ways?

I must confess when we had a Fine Travel famil to Las Vegas I fell into the trap of stereotyping the "food scene".  "It'll be high volume, deep fried, quick turnaround to get the punters back into the casinos", I thought.  After previously travelling through America's Southern States, and being amazed by the variety and sophistication of some of their cuisine, I should have known there was more to Vegas.

Fine Fine Travel Consultant Sunita Shalivahan has flown Business Class with China Southern Airlines twice since 2016 (from Auckland) and was invited for an onboard inspection in April 2019.  For clients looking for discounted Business Class airfares to the UK / Europe with full lie flat seats, China Southern is a welcome option in the New Zealand travel market.  Sunita updated the Fine Travel team on her most recent experience.

Whenever the Oceania Cruises' ships come to Auckland the ship inspections are highly sought after. With a focus on cuisine and fine art, time onboard in Auckland gives the Fine Travel team a true appreciation of what our clients can experience in the Mediterranean.  

Fine Travel Consultant Kylie Bryers flew to Buenos Aires this year on Air New Zealand's direct service from Auckland to experience a true South American holiday