The cruise lines figured out years ago that a large percentage of cruisers book their sailings in January, February and March. With a “bomb cyclone” in the Northeast and temperatures just about everywhere else dangerously low we start thinking about white sand beaches and reliably warm destinations. Throw in a warm breeze, room service and great meals and we’re off. So the cruise lines get busy. They’ll offer extra incentives -- typically free perks and reduced cruise fares -- to seal the deal.
How Do I Get the Best Deal?
If you want the lowest price ever it might pay to wait for a last minute deal or one within 6 weeks of sailing. But if you’re not a last minute person or don’t want to take a chance that the cruise you have in mind will even have a last minute deal then Wave Season is a good option.
Wave season deals are perfect for travelers who want value for their money, such as an upgrade to a nicer cabin or free onboard credit for some guilt-free indulgence at the spa or onboard boutiques. It’s also a good time to get that midship, mid deck cabin everyone seems to want and the sail date that works best for your schedule.
The deals you’re seeing now typically include the best selection of bonuses and a longer booking window.
So if a cruise is one of your New Year’s resolutions or a promise to the family, here are 4 tips to consider for Wave Season.
Consider all your options.
All 7 night cruises are not the same. Some people love the “at sea” days the best, others want to see a different port every day. You don’t have to commit to a 7 day cruise, you may want something longer or shorter, or just a weekend. If its not what you want it’s not a deal no matter what you pay for it.
Don’t just consider fares.
Cabin upgrades and On Board Credits can make a big difference. Maybe you wouldn’t consider the cost of a balcony cabin before but with a cabin upgrade its doable. I love cruise ship spas and On Board Credits usually means I can spend lots of time there. Don’t be surprised to find FREE airfare offers at this time of the year too.
Read the fine print.
Wave Season offers don’t last forever. Great rates are always subject to availability so that midsummer Alaska cruise could easily sell out. The same is true for that cabin you have your heart set on or that particular sail date that works best for you.
Never pay booking fees! You just don’t have to.
Timing is everything.
Consider vacation scheduling at work, is this the time of year you need to commit to your vacation days?
Is it more convenient to plan ahead of time and pay the cruise off over time?
It only takes a deposit to hold the cabin at the sale rate and lock in the bonuses.
Last minute getaways are fun but they don’t work for everyone.
It's not the only time to book your cruise but the cruiselines are working overtime to make it a good time to book that cruise.
Consider the current WAVE Season deals..........
Choose Your Perk on a Celebrity Cruise
What it is: Celebrity is giving everyone in a stateroom perks -- the first two passengers can receive up to $150 in onboard credit based on cabin category, a classic beverage package, prepaid gratuities or unlimited Wi-Fi. For an ocean-view cabin or higher category, the first two passengers to a cabin can book two perks; those staying in suites receive all perks, plus a $400 savings and premium beverage package upgrade. Third and fourth passengers to a room save 50 percent on cruise fare.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings from February 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019
Valid: Through January 31, 2018
Princess Cruises' Anniversary Sale Offers Free Dining + Hundreds in OBC
What it is: Princess is offering up to $600 in onboard credit per cruise, plus free specialty dining for everyone in the cabin when you book your sailing by mid-February.
Eligible voyages include: Any destination sailing summer 2018 through spring 2019.
Valid: Through February 14, 2018
Azamara Offers Half Off Second Cruise Fare + Free Internet
What it is: When you book a Club Oceanview stateroom or higher cabin category on your next Azamara cruise, get the second cruise fare half off. Plus, enjoy free internet for the length of your sailing.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings cruising throughout Europe and the Med, including sailings during the Grand Prix and World Cup.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018
Cunard is Giving Away Free Cabin Upgrades
What it is: Receive a cabin category upgrade, free of charge, when you book your next Cunard cruise. Plus, past passengers receive prepaid gratuities, and anyone staying in a Grills Suite gets free drinks.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings from transatlantics to the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Northern Europe or a cruise that goes to Japan and Alaska.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018
Upgrades & OBC This Season on Holland America
What it is: Book a 2018 or 2019 Holland America cruise during their "View & Verandah" promo and you could be eligible for a cabin upgrade, up to $500 in onboard credit per cabin and up to 10 percent off select EXC shore tours. Plus, when you book a suite, qualify for prepaid gratuities.
Eligible voyages include: Assorted itineraries to Alaska, Asia, Bermuda, Cuba, Tahiti and more.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018. Shore tour discount extends through March 15.
Seabourn's Signature Savings Event
What it is: Book a Seabourn sailing and choose from special offers like a balcony room for an ocean-view price, a three veranda suite category upgrade, $500 in air credits or in onboard credit per person, and savings up to 15 percent on combined cruises. Penthouse and premium suite passengers are eligible for $1,000 in onboard credit per cabin.
Eligible voyages include: Select voyages to Asia, Alaska, Antarctica, Africa and more.
Valid: Through March 13, 2018
AmaWaterways Waives Single Supplement on Select 2018 Departures
What it is: Enjoy an independent sailing on one of more than 145 AmaWaterways river cruises in 2018 without paying a single supplement.
Eligible voyages include: Base category staterooms on any departure in Europe or Asia (category E and D in Europe; Category C on the Mekong); specially-designed single occupancy stateroom featuring a French balcony on AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra or AmaCello; or, for a limited time, book any category stateroom (excluding suites) on select departures in Europe or Asia.
Valid: This is an ongoing offer.
Happy Sailing!
How Do I Get the Best Deal?
If you want the lowest price ever it might pay to wait for a last minute deal or one within 6 weeks of sailing. But if you’re not a last minute person or don’t want to take a chance that the cruise you have in mind will even have a last minute deal then Wave Season is a good option.
Wave season deals are perfect for travelers who want value for their money, such as an upgrade to a nicer cabin or free onboard credit for some guilt-free indulgence at the spa or onboard boutiques. It’s also a good time to get that midship, mid deck cabin everyone seems to want and the sail date that works best for your schedule.
The deals you’re seeing now typically include the best selection of bonuses and a longer booking window.
So if a cruise is one of your New Year’s resolutions or a promise to the family, here are 4 tips to consider for Wave Season.
Consider all your options.
All 7 night cruises are not the same. Some people love the “at sea” days the best, others want to see a different port every day. You don’t have to commit to a 7 day cruise, you may want something longer or shorter, or just a weekend. If its not what you want it’s not a deal no matter what you pay for it.
Don’t just consider fares.
Cabin upgrades and On Board Credits can make a big difference. Maybe you wouldn’t consider the cost of a balcony cabin before but with a cabin upgrade its doable. I love cruise ship spas and On Board Credits usually means I can spend lots of time there. Don’t be surprised to find FREE airfare offers at this time of the year too.
Read the fine print.
Wave Season offers don’t last forever. Great rates are always subject to availability so that midsummer Alaska cruise could easily sell out. The same is true for that cabin you have your heart set on or that particular sail date that works best for you.
Never pay booking fees! You just don’t have to.
Timing is everything.
Consider vacation scheduling at work, is this the time of year you need to commit to your vacation days?
Is it more convenient to plan ahead of time and pay the cruise off over time?
It only takes a deposit to hold the cabin at the sale rate and lock in the bonuses.
Last minute getaways are fun but they don’t work for everyone.
It's not the only time to book your cruise but the cruiselines are working overtime to make it a good time to book that cruise.
Consider the current WAVE Season deals..........
Choose Your Perk on a Celebrity Cruise
What it is: Celebrity is giving everyone in a stateroom perks -- the first two passengers can receive up to $150 in onboard credit based on cabin category, a classic beverage package, prepaid gratuities or unlimited Wi-Fi. For an ocean-view cabin or higher category, the first two passengers to a cabin can book two perks; those staying in suites receive all perks, plus a $400 savings and premium beverage package upgrade. Third and fourth passengers to a room save 50 percent on cruise fare.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings from February 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019
Valid: Through January 31, 2018
Princess Cruises' Anniversary Sale Offers Free Dining + Hundreds in OBC
What it is: Princess is offering up to $600 in onboard credit per cruise, plus free specialty dining for everyone in the cabin when you book your sailing by mid-February.
Eligible voyages include: Any destination sailing summer 2018 through spring 2019.
Valid: Through February 14, 2018
Azamara Offers Half Off Second Cruise Fare + Free Internet
What it is: When you book a Club Oceanview stateroom or higher cabin category on your next Azamara cruise, get the second cruise fare half off. Plus, enjoy free internet for the length of your sailing.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings cruising throughout Europe and the Med, including sailings during the Grand Prix and World Cup.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018
Cunard is Giving Away Free Cabin Upgrades
What it is: Receive a cabin category upgrade, free of charge, when you book your next Cunard cruise. Plus, past passengers receive prepaid gratuities, and anyone staying in a Grills Suite gets free drinks.
Eligible voyages include: A variety of sailings from transatlantics to the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Northern Europe or a cruise that goes to Japan and Alaska.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018
Upgrades & OBC This Season on Holland America
What it is: Book a 2018 or 2019 Holland America cruise during their "View & Verandah" promo and you could be eligible for a cabin upgrade, up to $500 in onboard credit per cabin and up to 10 percent off select EXC shore tours. Plus, when you book a suite, qualify for prepaid gratuities.
Eligible voyages include: Assorted itineraries to Alaska, Asia, Bermuda, Cuba, Tahiti and more.
Valid: Through February 28, 2018. Shore tour discount extends through March 15.
Seabourn's Signature Savings Event
What it is: Book a Seabourn sailing and choose from special offers like a balcony room for an ocean-view price, a three veranda suite category upgrade, $500 in air credits or in onboard credit per person, and savings up to 15 percent on combined cruises. Penthouse and premium suite passengers are eligible for $1,000 in onboard credit per cabin.
Eligible voyages include: Select voyages to Asia, Alaska, Antarctica, Africa and more.
Valid: Through March 13, 2018
AmaWaterways Waives Single Supplement on Select 2018 Departures
What it is: Enjoy an independent sailing on one of more than 145 AmaWaterways river cruises in 2018 without paying a single supplement.
Eligible voyages include: Base category staterooms on any departure in Europe or Asia (category E and D in Europe; Category C on the Mekong); specially-designed single occupancy stateroom featuring a French balcony on AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra or AmaCello; or, for a limited time, book any category stateroom (excluding suites) on select departures in Europe or Asia.
Valid: This is an ongoing offer.
Happy Sailing!
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