Featuring world-class accommodations and select meals, the 10-day “Women in Style” safari-and-spa package from South African Airways (888/722-4872, www.flysaavacations.com) includes airfare from New York or Washington, DC; internal flights; four nights’ Cape Town (Kirstenbosch, Franschhoek, cooking demonstration, chauffeured shopping, more); two nights in Stellenbosch wine region (half-day winery tour plus spa day); two nights at Thornybush Private Game Reserve in Hoedspruit (game drives),...

Silversea Cruises (Ft. Lauderdale, FL; 800/722-9955, www.silversea.com) is offering free airfare for cruises in Europe and South America on bookings made before March 31, 2009. Example — a 7-day voyage from Stockholm to Copenhagen with stops in Helsinki and Tallinn plus a 2-night stay in Saint Petersburg costs $7,395-$24,095 per person, double, excluding port charges.

“Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation” by Steven B. Stern (2009, Pelican Publishing. $26 paperback) covers the history, vital statistics, physical details and price categories of nearly 430 ships from more than 50 cruise lines and rates the ships and lines (1 to 6 stars). Photos of ships, decks and interiors are included.

The guide also gives info and tips on major ports of call, including attractions and restaurants. It is available at bookstores, online or by calling Pelican...