Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Wave Season is what you get when the entire cruise industry collectively hosts a variety of offers and discounts to spur travellers to book future cruises. This article covers everything you need to know about Wave Season, including when it occurs, what’s offered and how to get the best deals.
Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Wave Season unofficially begins every January 1 and typically runs through March. Virtually the entire industry participates in some fashion. Various cruise lines offer promotions ranging from discounts to extra perks like onboard credit or complimentary dining. It’s like the extended Black Friday of cruises.
Wave Season is about booking cruises; it’s not necessarily about embarking on them. While you can generally find deals on imminent cruises, the best deals are often reserved for cruises that are months or even years away.
Cruise lines offer their best deals during Wave Season largely due to the advantageous timing. The holidays have just ended, and the new year (and new opportunities) lie ahead. Additionally, people tend to plan trips during family get-togethers around the holidays. November and December see millions of families get together to celebrate different holidays. People talk and plan; holiday ideas start to brew. Wave Season rides the wave of these conversations with timely deals too good to pass on.
Deals vary by cruise line, but may include any of the following:
Virtually all major cruise lines, as well as many of the smaller and luxury brands, participate in Wave Season.
Image courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
Here are a few tips for booking a cruise during Wave Season.
There are dozens of cruise lines and thousands of different itineraries to choose from; sorting through all the options is time-consuming at best. Tell us the vibe and destination you’re dreaming of, and wel’ll take care of the rest. This will save you time before Wave Season’s plethora of deals are unveiled.
Wave Season helps cruise lines anticipate travel trends. In fact, Wave Season performance is often used as a predictor for how the travel industry at large will perform. It’s no wonder, then, that cruises want to start the season off with a bang. You’ll typically see the best deals in early January.
Sometimes Wave Season deals and perks aren’t relevant to your travel situation. We know the fine print of any deal you might be interested in, as sometimes cruise lines only offer deals for specific bookings. For example, you may only unlock a discount or perk if you book a certain number of nights or a specific cabin tier.
We will help you sort through an often overwhelming amount of options — not just between cruise lines, but between the different deals and itineraries, too. Additionally, we sometimes have access to special offers not typically available to the general public. Or we am made aware of these deals in advance. This is especially helpful if you’re interested in limited premium cabins (like a high-end suite) or experiences.
We’ll also streamline the booking process for you; we ensure you get your desired accommodations and onboard experiences, handle all the small details — like making sure your cabin isn’t next to a dance floor (unless you prefer that, of course) — and help you plan the best shore excursions.
Image courtesy of Viking Cruises
Read on for more information on Wave Season and related topics.
Without expert assistance, it’s hard to say. There are a variety of tools that compare rates, and sometimes perks, between different cruise lines and itineraries. However, reliability and accuracy is a concern. We’ll help you sort through different rates, discounts and packages to help you find the best cruise per your preferences and budget.
Since many Wave Season bookings are months or even years away, it may be wise to purchase cruise insurance specifically in case you need to cancel. Not all cruise lines have free cancellation policies and many require specific conditions for full or partial refunds; you could be at risk of losing any payments you’ve made if you’re forced to cancel at a later date. Beyond cancellation, and depending on the policy, cruise insurance can cover things like medical treatment for injuries or illnesses abroad, unplanned cancellations because of weather or other events, lost luggage and missed departures.
Not necessarily. The only major downside is that oftentimes during Wave Season, you’re booking cruises months or even a year or two in advance — which, unfortunately, means you have to patiently wait for your getaway. Otherwise, most cruise lines won’t penalise you severely for canceling a cruise if it’s early enough. Full or partial refunds are usually issued if you cancel at least three months before your departure date. You may lose your deposit (usually 5–10% of the total anticipated cost), but you should receive a refund for any other payments you’ve made. That said, each cruise line is different. If you book with us, we will make you aware of any relevant cancellation conditions prior to your booking.
Certainly, though none are as consistent or lengthy as Wave Season. Sometimes you may see a variety of deals in fall or late spring, usually in an attempt to fill imminent itineraries — and especially around the end of fiscal quarters. You’re also likely to find deals on major holidays, like Black Friday. And any time a major new ship launches, cruise lines typically offer deals; this applies to competing cruise lines attempting to snag bookings, too.
Let’s get that cruise booked for you. With VIP perks to exclusive benefits from top cruise liners and brands, our expert Travel Planner will tap into their little black book of contacts and insider intel to VIP you every step of the way. Sit back, relax, and let us handle all the details. Fill in WeGalavant’s Enquiry Form to start planning now.
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