We’re approaching “Wave Season” – the cruise industry’s name for January 1 through March 31, a popular time to make cruise reservations. That’s because Wave Season is when cruise lines offer some of the best booking incentives of the entire year; sometimes they even let you choose the incentive you want most. So, what should you look for?
Onboard
credits. Credits are a flexible incentive because they can be used to purchase
a variety of goods and services while you’re on board. Exactly how they can be
used varies by cruise line, but they can often be used toward purchases in the ship’s
boutiques and shops, spa and specialty dining venues, and more. Be sure to use up
your onboard credits during your cruise; you can’t redeem them for cash or on a
subsequent cruise.
Wi-Fi
access. A cruise is a good time to disconnect from it all, so access to onboard
Wi-Fi may not be important to you. But if you need to stay connected to your home or
office while at sea, Wi-Fi access can cost about $30 per day, making
complimentary access a nice incentive. Note that the cruise line may limit the
number of devices that can connect to Wi-Fi from your cabin; limit the time you
can be connected; or block streaming.
Premium beverage
packages. If you’ve cruised before, you know that quite a few beverages –
including soda, fresh juices, premium coffee and tea, beer, wine, and liquor – may
not be included in the cruise fare. A package that provides deep discounts on these
beverages or makes them complimentary is a popular booking incentive. But, pay
attention to the fine print: some packages don’t include required gratuities
for beverage service or exclude “super-premium” brands.
Kids sail
free. To help attract families, some incentives let kids under age 12 sail free
in the same cabin as their parents; others offer discounts on kids’ fares. On some
cruise lines, the third and fourth passengers in a cabin can sail for free regardless
of their age or relationship to the fare-paying occupants. This incentive can be
an exceptional value, but be sure you’re ready to share a cabin (and its
bathroom) with three other people. Also, this incentive may not be available
for cruises during major holidays.
For more
information about these and other booking incentives – such as complimentary
shore excursions, cabin upgrades, specialty dining packages, and more – talk
with Anita, your professional travel advisor.
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