Easy cruise getaways with combo twists

In seeking out interesting travel itineraries closer to home in these uncertain times, I turned to WA and Australia’s east coast, South-East Asia, and a little further afield to Japan. This combo compilation is designed to spark some inspiration for your next trip. Easy, great-value holidays with a twist. These are my top choices . . . Cruise and Rail + Southern Australia in Depth with Crown Princess and Indian Pacific with Sydney Highlights (Perth to Sydney return; 23 days; departing on September 26, 2026) I really like this no-fly itinerary for its variety of transport modes, its interesting places and experiences, and time to kick back and take in the journey. And it doesn’t get much simpler — this cruise-rail-coach combo trip is return from Perth. Starting with the transcontinental rail journey aboard the Indian Pacific train for four nights. Dining and fine wines are included, and there are off-train experiences in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Cook, Barossa Valley wine country, Broken Hill, and the Blue Mountains. In Sydney, you’ll have seven nights at the Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour, including daily breakfast, allowing plenty of time to explore one of the world’s premier cities for its cosmopolitan energy, stunning waterfront and natural landscapes, and top dining from your central base. Included too is a 48-hour hop-on, hop-off Big Bus Sydney explore ticket; a full-day tour of the Hunter Valley and lunch; transfers; and 11 nights aboard cruise ship Crown Princess from Sydney to Fremantle with port calls in Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany and Busselton/Margaret River. The luxurious mid-size ship is a regular on the Australian cruising circuit. It features 20 restaurants, bars and cafes, including Princess’ signature restaurant Crown Grill, and its deliver-anywhere food and drink service OceanNow. There’s also theatre entertainment with great original productions, the adults-only retreat The Sanctuary with private cabanas and steward service available to book for an added cost . . . and much more. Packages are priced from $11,429 per person on the Rail Service — Gold Twin option, which includes a saving of $2000 per couple. Call 1300 854 897 or email holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au. holidaysofaustralia.com.au + Immersive Japanese Rail Adventure & Princess Cruises East Asia Voyage (Osaka to Tokyo; 24 nights; departures on May 4, 2027 and June 9, 2027) The enormous interest in the Land of the Rising Sun for its beautiful landscapes, cultural heritage and cuisine saw more than a million Aussies travel here in 2025. I like this itinerary for its spicy variety — the rail-cruise-hotel stay combo spanning two countries. It starts in Osaka with a day at leisure before departing by bullet train for the journey to Tokyo through the southern half of Japan. Throughout the train journey you’ll visit Hiroshima, stopping at 16th-century Osaka Castle; Kyoto including ancient temples and the Gion district, renowned as the city’s Geisha area. You’ll also explore the gorges along the Oi River on the Southern Japan Alps Train; and enjoy an escorted tour to sacred Mt Fuji, the country’s tallest peak at 3776m and a UNESCO site, near Tokyo. There’s also a full-day tour of neon-lit Tokyo city, visits to Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Sky Tree, and much more. All up there are nine escorted tours, plus a combination of bullet and scenic train journeys, 11 nights in four-star hotels, and nine nights aboard Princess Cruises ship Diamond Princess (try fresh sushi and sashimi at Kai Sushi). The voyage includes an overnight stay in Taiwan’s vibrant and contrasty capital Taipei, plus visits to a tropical haven — the gorgeous Miyako Islands, and cultural hub Okinawa island. Packages are from $10,499 per person (June 2027 departure) or $10,999 per person (May 2027), and include flights from Perth, taxes and transfers. Call 1800 958 405 to book. imaginecruising.com.au Fly/Stay/Cruise + Luxury Singapore & Southeast Asia Escape (20 nights; Singapore to Bali; departing November 23, 2026) This trip combines perennial West Australian holiday favourites Singapore and Bali, with three extra nights included in both. A very nice way to top and tail a holiday with adults-only cruising in between to many tropical island locales and cities of South-East Asia. Start in ever-evolving metropolis Singapore — just five hours away by plane — with time to explore its eclectic cultures in districts like Chinatown, Little India and the Arab Quarter, its diverse culinary offerings, and the attractions of Sentosa Island. The cruise ventures north to resort island Phuket, then south to Malaysia’s island paradise Langkawi and — one of my favourite island getaways — Penang with its British colonial heritage in Georgetown and lovely beachfront vistas. Other voyage highlights are visits to Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, UNESCO World Heritage site Melaka, Indonesian capital Jakarta, Semarang with overnight stay, Surabaya, Lombok island, and Bali, where there’s the option to extend. This My Cruises package deal includes full-service economy flights to Singapore and returning from Bali; a total of six luxury hotel nights (three nights in Singapore and three nights in Bali); 14 nights aboard luxury small ship Oceania Nautica (inside stateroom) with all-inclusive on-board dining at Oceania’s The Finest Cuisine at Sea specialty restaurants. Nautica exudes Oceania’s timeless contemporary style with elegant interiors and luxurious amenities including eight lounges and bars, group fitness classes, and unlimited Starlink wi-fi. Prices on this exclusive itinerary are from $8489 per person from Perth, or $7990 from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. My Cruises also has a great-value package on its 18-night Discover Japan – Cherry Blossom Exploration in 2027 itinerary, sailing on April 7, 2027. See the spectacular cherry blossoms on this springtime voyage, plus other Japan highlights like ancient shrines in Hakata, Tokyo, the imperial history of Osaka Castle, and Mt Fuji. The voyage includes a stop in culture-rich Busan, South Korea. Prices are from $6990 per person, including return economy flights to Tokyo, four nights in hotels, a 14-night cruise aboard luxury ship Regatta, and more. Bookings for both packages must be made by March 31, 2026, and both include $4000 of bonus savings. Call 1300 692 784 or visit mycruises.com.au.