Luxury cruise lines are offering free flights and special discounted air packages as a sweetener to entice more holiday makers to sign up for their voyages.

Silversea is offering complimentary economy flights to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Kimberley on select itineraries.

If cruisers like to upgrade to business class, it would cost them $4998 each to Europe and $1995 to the Kimberley.

But there is one condition – they must book by February 28. Silversea uses Emirates as its preferred airline partner to Europe.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering $6590 business class packages per person to Europe and $4440 per person to Asia on Emirates, Qantas or Singapore Airlines. The packages include one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and transfer from the airport, hotel and cruise ship.

Scenic is also offering free flights to Europe, if you book a cruise of 11 days or longer. In addition it is also offering business class fares from $3995 per person if you book a European cruise of over 15 days in March, October or November.

APT is offering free flights to Asia if you book a cruise to Vietnam and Cambodia before 15 March. Passengers will also get a free cabin upgrade and two-nights free hotel accommodation in Singapore.

APT is also offering free flights for your companion if you book a cruise to Japan and China of 13 days or more provided the booking is made before 15 March.

In addition, APT is offering free flights when booking a 16-day cruise to India or a 27-day cruise to India and Myanmar. Bookings must be made before 15 March.

Seabourn has a $600 per person air credit on select voyages provided you book by March 14 while Crystal Cruises has air fare savings of up to US$1000 per person for some itineraries, provided they are booked by March 31.

“We know the overwhelming majority of our guests fly business class and often require hotel accommodation prior to their cruise. Now they needn’t worry about organising a thing,’’ said Steve Odell, managing director Asia Pacific of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

Silversea’s managing director Asia Pacific Amber Wilson said the new air packages are available on a range of seven and 17-day Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages departing from April to November this year.

Silversea’s free economy flights to the Kimberley are applicable on voyages in April and May this year.