RIDING THE WAVE

Posted on 02/13/2016

Wave day used to be the Monday in the first full week of the year. It was a surge of bookings for the coming cruise season. Eventually with the proliferation of cruise lines and the popularity of the travelling experience, the Wave is now a season and covers the first three months of the year. That is when 40 percent of cabin space is booked for the coming months.

Cruise experts realized that the colder weather triggered the bookings, so they helped move it along.

The first quarter was traditionally when cruise lines showcased their new products to attract non-cruisers by offering deep discounts.

Eventually they learned that return cruisers were a vital part of the marketplace, so consumers who had cruised with lines previously were contacted directly. Wave season became not about discounting, but more about enticing.

Now cruisers are being offered value add-ons like cabin upgrades, beverage packages, free WiFi and spa coupons instead of liquidation pricing.

Some of the promotions that have been announced include:

Princess Cruises’ “Twice as Nice” sale which gives double on-board credits and savings on cruises six days in length or longer to all destinations sailing from summer 2016 to spring 2017.

Royal Caribbean International’s “BOGO Further” for sailings booked before Feb. 15. Cruisers take 50 percent off their cruise fare and enjoy a 50 percent reduced deposit. An additional 25 percent savings for third and fourth guests.

Silversea Cruises has a promotion on their Africa and Indian Ocean sailing dates aboard the Silver Cloud that includes a three night safari in Kenya or South Africa, round trip economy air from select gateways, transfers, free Silver Shore Select excursions in every port, and free Wi-Fi.

Celebrity Cruise is offering packages that include all gratuities, ship-board packages and free WiFi or unlimited beverages. Norwegian Cruise Line is offering packages, including flights (with Air Canada) as well as free shore excursions and free WiFi.