Attractive Incentives for Cruising

Everything about a cruise provides incentive to take a cruise: fabulous destinations, comfortable accommodations, sumptuous dining and much more. Still, cruise lines are sweetening the pot for travelers by offering a variety of incentives that add even more value to a cruise vacation.

When Cruise Holidays recently asked its cruise experts which incentives are most attractive to their clients, onboard credits were the top choice. Essentially, onboard credits are “free money” to spend as you like on the ship. You can use the credits to pay for optional “extras” usually not included in the base price of a cruise, such as beverages, spa treatments, shore excursions or merchandise from onboard shops. Depending on the cruise line, ship and itinerary, onboard credits can range from $25 to thousands of dollars per stateroom. Your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you find out if you qualify for any onboard credit offers.

 According to Cruise Holidays’ experts, free airfare to and from the cruise ship’s home port is the second most attractive incentive. This type of incentive might be especially attractive if you live a significant distance from the port.

 “Two-for-one” pricing is almost as popular an incentive as free airfare. With this type of incentive, you’ll pay one full cruise ship fare and pay nothing for the second passenger in your cabin.

According to the Cruise Holidays professionals, some clients favor incentives such as early booking discounts; special amenities, such as a complimentary bottle of wine or dinner at an onboard specialty restaurant; or a free fare for the third or fourth person in a stateroom.

Your opportunities to receive extra incentives cruise may increase if you are a member of a cruise line’s “frequent cruisers” club, if you sail with a group, or if you agree to receive special cruise offers via e-mail. If you receive multiple incentive offers, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert about which is the best for you.