There is some great information in this article but a few added tips. If you travel at the last minute, keep in mind if you are not driving there could be a substantial added cost for air booked close to travel dates. Often it isn't cost effective unless you live near the port or have a resident rate. Some of the rates include onboard credit but you may actually be paying more for that 'perk'. We compare promotions and I usually can find a better deal for my client by paying less and skip the onboard credit or free upgrade. There are many restrictions so make sure you get the whole story like non-refundable deposits, etc. Ask your agent for more information because each cruise line is different and they change their fare codes regularly. Here is the article:
At what time of year can you score great cruise deals -- those that include free upgrades, onboard credit and other perks?
The cruise industry's "Wave Season," which takes place between January and March, is when cruise lines showcase their very best extra-value offers for the year to come. Many offer major sales during this time frame, and if you're a savvy shopper, you can take advantage of these promotions to get a great deal on your next cruise vacation. We'll show you how.
What Is Wave Season?
Historically, a large percentage of cruise travelers book their vacations at sea in the early months of the year. The combination of a new year with an empty calendar and, for most of us, chilly winter weather gets travelers thinking about sunny island getaways and the vacations to come. So, bookings take off. To capitalize on this cruise booking state of mind, cruise lines and travel agents offer extra incentives -- typically free perks and reduced cruise fares -- in the hopes that the promotions will be the final push travelers need to book those cruises.
How Do I Get the Best Deal?
Wave Season is not for everyone. If you want a dirt-cheap cruise fare -- perhaps one of those less-than-$75-per-night deals that you can brag about to your friends -- you might be better off waiting for a last-minute sale. Wave Season deals are for travelers who want value for money, such as an upgrade to a nicer cabin or free onboard credit for some guilt-free indulgence at the spa or onboard boutiques. Fares are generally discounted, but they don't hit rock-bottom at this time.
To get the biggest bang for your buck, follow these three steps:
Figure out the ballpark cost of your cruise: To know if you're getting a deal, you have to know what the average price you'd normally pay is. Do some research on typical fares for the itinerary you have in mind. Remember that a 12-night Mediterranean cruise will have a much higher base price than a five-night Caribbean getaway -- you'll want to compare apples to apples. And don't just look at fares. If you're interested in free upgrades, you'll need to know the price differential between an outside and a balcony cabin; if it's onboard credit you're after, plan out how much you might typically spend on spa treatments, excursions, drinks and souvenirs (IndependentTraveler.com's Travel Budget Calculator is great for tallying extra costs). If you're hoping for free airfare, look up the cost of airfare between your hometown and your homeport.
Evaluate the sales: As you look for sales through the cruise lines or your favorite travel agency, be an active -- rather than a passive -- deal-hunter. Read the fine print, because sometimes the discount or perk being advertised won't apply to the specific itinerary or cabin category you're interested in. Don't forget to check expiration dates, too; some lines give you only a few weeks to take advantage of their offers, while others give you a couple of months. These steps let you evaluate what this year's promotions are and how good they are.
Another helpful trick: Always compare cruise line promotions with the same sailings sold through an agent. Often, agencies will offer additional incentives above what the cruise lines are offering. For example, one cruise line might offer two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare on select Europe cruises. But another might throw in perks such as prepaid gratuities, onboard credit, spa credits, shore excursion credits and a welcome bottle of champagne. If you don't see any advertised discounts, call and ask. Sometimes agencies are able to offer better perks and prices than they list on their Web sites and in promotional materials.
Compare cost benefits: Now that you've got all the information, compare the offers. Is the free upgrade on one line still more expensive than a regular balcony cabin on another? Would you prefer one agent's onboard credit or another's extra cruise fare discount? Are the deals good enough to make you want to book now, or do you need prices to drop further before you plunk down a deposit? If the numbers work out, congratulations: You've made an informed decision. Now it's time to book that cruise and start dreaming of sightseeing in Europe, sunbathing in the Caribbean or even dog-sledding in Alaska.
And if the Wave Season sales aren't tempting enough, or if you're just not ready to book yet, don't fret. Cruise lines will hold plenty of last-minute, three-day or extra-value sales throughout the year for you to find great deals. But unlike Wave Season, you just won't know when those sales are coming.
--by Erica Silverstein, Features Editor
At what time of year can you score great cruise deals -- those that include free upgrades, onboard credit and other perks?
The cruise industry's "Wave Season," which takes place between January and March, is when cruise lines showcase their very best extra-value offers for the year to come. Many offer major sales during this time frame, and if you're a savvy shopper, you can take advantage of these promotions to get a great deal on your next cruise vacation. We'll show you how.
What Is Wave Season?
Historically, a large percentage of cruise travelers book their vacations at sea in the early months of the year. The combination of a new year with an empty calendar and, for most of us, chilly winter weather gets travelers thinking about sunny island getaways and the vacations to come. So, bookings take off. To capitalize on this cruise booking state of mind, cruise lines and travel agents offer extra incentives -- typically free perks and reduced cruise fares -- in the hopes that the promotions will be the final push travelers need to book those cruises.
How Do I Get the Best Deal?
Wave Season is not for everyone. If you want a dirt-cheap cruise fare -- perhaps one of those less-than-$75-per-night deals that you can brag about to your friends -- you might be better off waiting for a last-minute sale. Wave Season deals are for travelers who want value for money, such as an upgrade to a nicer cabin or free onboard credit for some guilt-free indulgence at the spa or onboard boutiques. Fares are generally discounted, but they don't hit rock-bottom at this time.
To get the biggest bang for your buck, follow these three steps:
Figure out the ballpark cost of your cruise: To know if you're getting a deal, you have to know what the average price you'd normally pay is. Do some research on typical fares for the itinerary you have in mind. Remember that a 12-night Mediterranean cruise will have a much higher base price than a five-night Caribbean getaway -- you'll want to compare apples to apples. And don't just look at fares. If you're interested in free upgrades, you'll need to know the price differential between an outside and a balcony cabin; if it's onboard credit you're after, plan out how much you might typically spend on spa treatments, excursions, drinks and souvenirs (IndependentTraveler.com's Travel Budget Calculator is great for tallying extra costs). If you're hoping for free airfare, look up the cost of airfare between your hometown and your homeport. Evaluate the sales: As you look for sales through the cruise lines or your favorite travel agency, be an active -- rather than a passive -- deal-hunter. Read the fine print, because sometimes the discount or perk being advertised won't apply to the specific itinerary or cabin category you're interested in. Don't forget to check expiration dates, too; some lines give you only a few weeks to take advantage of their offers, while others give you a couple of months. These steps let you evaluate what this year's promotions are and how good they are. Another helpful trick: Always compare cruise line promotions with the same sailings sold through an agent. Often, agencies will offer additional incentives above what the cruise lines are offering. For example, one cruise line might offer two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare on select Europe cruises. But another might throw in perks such as prepaid gratuities, onboard credit, spa credits, shore excursion credits and a welcome bottle of champagne. If you don't see any advertised discounts, call and ask. Sometimes agencies are able to offer better perks and prices than they list on their Web sites and in promotional materials.
Compare cost benefits: Now that you've got all the information, compare the offers. Is the free upgrade on one line still more expensive than a regular balcony cabin on another? Would you prefer one agent's onboard credit or another's extra cruise fare discount? Are the deals good enough to make you want to book now, or do you need prices to drop further before you plunk down a deposit? If the numbers work out, congratulations: You've made an informed decision. Now it's time to book that cruise and start dreaming of sightseeing in Europe, sunbathing in the Caribbean or even dog-sledding in Alaska.And if the Wave Season sales aren't tempting enough, or if you're just not ready to book yet, don't fret. Cruise lines will hold plenty of last-minute, three-day or extra-value sales throughout the year for you to find great deals. But unlike Wave Season, you just won't know when those sales are coming.
--by Erica Silverstein, Features Editor
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