One cruise is a nine-night Vanuatu and New Caledonia sailing, departing on February 23 from Sydney with Royal Caribbean, and priced from $1499pp twin-share, including gratuities and $US200 ($290) of on-board credit.

The other is a 14-night Celebrity Cruises journey in Japan departing on August 30 and priced from $4990pp twin-share, including economy flights, a two-night Tokyo hotel stay, and onboard beverage, Wi-Fi and gratuity packages.

As travellers increasingly look for good deals and value holidays, the launch comes at a perfect time for Australian consumers – but it would pay to compare with other travel platforms and cruise-line websites.

Royal Caribbean’s own website currently has the Pacific cruise at $1899pp with $US100 of on-board credit, which is $255pp more expensive than Aldi’s offer.

Celebrity Cruises’ website prices the Japan cruise at $3237pp, which appears significantly cheaper, even if you have to add on your own hotel stay and extras.

Supermarket chains in Europe have wisely stuck to partnerships with existing travel companies rather than plunge into a business in which they lack experience. The business model is neither new nor a market disruptor.

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For now, Aldi Holidays isn’t likely to shake up the Australian cruise industry and there’s no sign that Coles or Woolworths intend to launch travel portals.

But watch Aldi’s space. It sells millions of holidays in Europe, so plenty of cruises might soon be coming to a supermarket aisle near you.