Want to visit magical lands far, far away? Jump on one of these cruises

Here's how to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Want to visit magical lands far, far away? Jump on one of these cruises

Updated April 1, 2025, first published January 24, 2024

From Oman to Egypt, here's how to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

One of the greatest things about cruises is: they can simply transport you to magical lands far, far away ... without you having to worry about how to get there. A case in point is Celestyal's brand-new seven-night Desert Days itinerary, which will set sail from Doha, Qatar, on November 9 and visit three other mesmerising countries: UAE, Bahrain and Oman.

Discover Oman as part of a Celestyal cruise.

A cruise down the Nile river is the stuff of dreams, and now there's one more reason to embark on this adventure: Abercrombie & Kent has just announced it'll be launching a brand new riverboat - specifically for these waterways - in late 2025. A suitable name, design details and on-sale date will be released soon. Watch this space. celestyal.com; abercrombiekent.com.au

Get exclusive travel tips, hidden gems & expert insights: delivered to your inbox

Discover Doha as part of a Celestyal cruise.

A new direct flight to Africa

Speaking of lands far, far away, travelling to the Mother Continent just got easier and more affordable, thanks to South African Airways (SAA) announcing the return of direct flights between Johannesburg and Perth from April 28. And eastern seaboarders need not worry about missing out. SAA has a codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia, meaning you can book tickets from Sydney or Melbourne to Johannesburg via Perth, with the Australian leg operated by Virgin. More airlines mean better prices and here's proof. At press time, Qantas's direct Sydney to Johannesburg flights were starting at $1499 for May 1, as compared to SAA's Sydney to Johannesburg via Perth flights for $1240. flysaa.com

Read more on Explore: