Advice from expert cruisers on how to narrow down the season’s many deals to the ones that are actually worth it.
BY JESSICA PUCKETT. CONDE NAST TRAVELER
Travel deals can be easy to find, if you know the right time to book. For cruises, one of the best times to lock in low fares is at the start of a new year. That’s when “wave season” begins: a stretch that continues through March when cruise lines offer up some of their best deals and discounts. Consider this the golden time to plan cruise trips through the rest of the year and beyond. “Wave season isn’t necessarily about last-minute cruise deals,” says Illana Schattauer, a cruise influencer who runs the channel ‘Life Well Cruised’ on YouTube. “It’s a great time to plan ahead for holiday cruises and bookings that are several months, even a year, in advance.” Although the deals are aplenty, narrowing down the numerous options can be a bit more challenging. After all, there are hundreds of different cruise lines around the world, all targeting different types of travelers and promoting offers with various perks. (How do you compare a stateroom upgrade to a free drinks package or an onboard food credit?)Below, find top strategies and tips from the experts on how to get the most of this wave season’s deals:Get organizedDetermine your budgetList your ideal destinationsDetermine when you want to goChoose three cruise lines and compare their offers on a per day cost basisNote that web pricing often offers basic fares and does not always include the value add upgradesWhen in doubt, use a travel specialist Specialists are truly the unsung heroes of the travel industry. The level of savvy and insider pull that these cruise mavens have is hard to match. “Travel agents have access to all the deals and cruise line promotions, and may have extra offers and booking incentives,” Schattauer says. “When you work with a travel agent that understands your travel preferences, they can sort through and present personalized deals.” And it’s a misconception that cruise specialists add a hefty cost to your trip budget. “Many of them don’t charge any extra fees; they get paid through the cruise line,” Ramnarine says. With a little bit of legwork and expert advice, you’ll soon be sitting poolside aboard a glamorous ship—and you won’t have to break the bank to get there. To read the entire article go here. |
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