Now that the holidays are over, all this winter weather has long since lost its charm. Either you need to get away to somewhere warm immediately, or you’re already looking forward to spring break or summer vacation. Fortunately, cruise lines are eager to get you on board and offer some amazing specials during “wave season,” the first quarter of the year. Whether you prefer river cruising, small ocean ships or larger ocean liners with tons of on-board activities, book in time and there are great savings to be had. Then you can close your eyes and dream of warm sand and blue skies as you trudge through the snow.
Rivers
With AmaWaterways, book by March 31 and receive an additional $100 per person savings on select cruises that are already marked down anywhere from $250 to $1,000 per person. Book select airfare-included European sailings with Avalon Waterways by Feb. 20 and save up to $3,000 per couple. Reserve a Crystal cruise (river or ocean) by March 31 and you’ll have your choice of $400 per person off cruise fare, $500 per person air credit or $600 per person to spend onboard. For river itineraries with Tauck, pay deposit by Feb. 28 on a departure between March 1 and Aug. 31 to take advantage of $890 per person economy class airfare, $1,490 per person in premium economy or $3,490 per person in business class. The offer also applies to all European land tours and Treasures of the British-Irish Isles and St. Petersburg and the Baltic Sea ocean cruises. Uniworld is offering up to 30 percent on select 2018 sailings, and up to 20 percent off several of its U by Uniworld cruises aimed at 21-45-year-olds for bookings made by the end of March. Viking has two-for-one pricing with air included on select Waterways of the Tsars and Grand European Tour departures this year and next if you book by Jan. 31
Small ships
Azamara Club Cruises is reducing cruise fare by 50 percent for the second passenger in a cabin on certain sailings for Club Oceanview or higher categories if reserved by Feb. 28. Celebrating its 125th anniversary, Hurtigruten is offering savings of up to $1,250 per person for bookings made by Feb. 28 (March 31 for select Norway sailings). Cruise Alaska’s Inside Passage on Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner and you could get a three-category upgrade if you reserve by March 1. Seabourn’s Alaska incentive will double your shipboard credit to $600 per suite on some Virtuoso Voyages booked by March 13. Deposit by March 15 with Silversea and get up to $1,000 per suite onboard credit plus an upgrade on select sailings all over the world. Save $450 per couple on select seven-night or $600 per couple for 14-night Alaska journeys with UnCruise Adventures reserving by Feb. 28 and receive $100 shipboard credit as well. With Zegrahm Expeditions, new guests booking by Jan. 31 will save 5 percent and past guests will save 10 percent on select 2019 departures with supplemental solo traveler fees waived.
Large ships
Book an ocean view or higher stateroom with Celebrity by Feb. 28 and have your choice of a drink package, wireless internet, prepaid gratuities or $150 onboard credit for the first two guests and 50 percent reduced cruise for the third and fourth passengers in a cabin. Receive up to $500 per cabin to spend onboard and 10 percent on shore excursions when booking a verandah or higher with Holland America on select Land + Sea Journeys by Feb. 28 (shore excursions must be booked by March 15). Plus, suites also receive prepaid gratuities. Princess’ anniversary sale runs through Feb. 14, and in that time you can take advantage of up to $600 per cabin credit and free specialty dining, with deposits as low as $100 per person. Royal Caribbean is offering savings of up to 30 percent and $100 per person credit with opportunities for upgrades and prepaid gratuities through Jan. 31. Past guests of Cunard can reduce their deposits by 50 percent, while all guests can enjoy upgrades, complimentary gratuities and free drinks (in Grill Suites) when booking by Feb. 28.
To maximize your savings and benefits, contact us at 571.338.0408 or e-mail travel@pineapple7.com.