There is a specific time of year in which cruise lines try to entice you with your business. Traditionally, it is a three-month season from January to March in which all sorts of deals are offered. It could be a larger than normal on-board credit. It could be a better percentage off the cruise deal. It is like an extension of Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Shop Small. Sometimes, it’s just the wording. In actuality, it is no different from the sale they were running last month, it is just the way they are phrasing it that makes it more enticing for wave season.
This year, the cruise lines are dealing with the aftermath of losing billions (with a b) in sales due to the shutdown caused by the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, wave season begins in November and extends into March. It is like a wave of bookings. The thinking has been that the stress of the December holidays is over. But the hunger for cruise lines to make money has kicked in. Also, the grey skies of winter have started to roll in and people want to escape from the cold. This is the time of year when traditionally people would plan their vacations for that year. Free drink packages, free specialty dining packages, free internet can all be up for grabs.
My standby advice is book as soon as possible. Let’s lock in rates. We can always adjust a booking price should a better deal comes down the pike. Some cruise lines operate like Disney. As soon as a sailing is announced, that is the cheapest it will be. For example, I booked myself on a sailing on Norwegian Prima as soon as it was announced in May 2021. It has never been as that low of a price. Today the cost of my sailing in my category is at least 50% more expensive than when I booked, if not 60%. I also recommend booking as soon as you think of it because wave season deals aren’t necessarily the best deals, the least expensive deals. Wave season deals typically include the most bonuses and a longer booking window. Use me to evaluate whether the deal is really a deal. When does the offer expire? Does the promotion apply to your itinerary? Does the discount apply to your cabin category? How long is this offer? Cruising is just a world of variables. Let’s work together.
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