Travel

Cheapest cruise deals are found during ‘wave season’ when Royal Caribbean, P&O and Celebrity all slash prices


THE best time to book a cheap cruise deal is now according to an expert – and you’re unlikely to find better deals at other times of the year.

Even better, big cruise companies will often throw in extra perks like free drinks packages, flights and money to spend on board as well.

 Virgin Voyages is among the cruise companies offering discounts during wave season

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Virgin Voyages is among the cruise companies offering discounts during wave seasonCredit: Virgin Voyages

That’s the insider tip from Adam Coulter, UK managing editor of Cruise Critic.

Adam told to Sun Online Travel: “Known in the industry as Wave Season, January through March is the key period in the year when cruise lines and travel agencies put out extra-value cruise deals.”

He explained: “January has traditionally been the key time to promote all types of holidays, as people like to have something to look forwards to post-Christmas and when the dreary cold winter weather is in full swing.

“Like other holiday sectors, cruise lines have chosen to create their own January sales campaigns, but run these for a longer three-month period – generally because a cruise holiday can often be a slightly more complicated booking – with many different types of options to decide on.

“It’s so known because it’s like a ‘wave’ of deals and bookings.”

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According to Adam, if you shop around, there are lots of discounts and freebies to be found, including “free or reduced price bookings, free drinks packages, prepaid service charges and generous free onboard credit, among other perks.”

He added: “Some cruise lines have slashed 50 per cent off their cruises prices. Others are offering significantly reduced – or even free – flights; and some are offering more than £500 worth of free onboard credit per cabin.”

So what are some of the best deals out there?

For families, Royal Caribbean offers some of the best value deals.

Right now, if you book a cruise for two, the second guest gets 60 per cent off their fare – and kids can travel for just £99.

That’s on top of £125 off selected staterooms, with discounts available for journeys between 2020 and 2022.


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Adam recommends the Allure of the Seas, which sails from Barcelona and has everything from surf simulators to ice rinks on board.

Plus, it’s recently had a huge makeover with new facilities.

P&O is another good option for families, especially if you’re looking for last-minute deals for travelling in the next 90 days.

 Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas is a great option for families

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Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas is a great option for families

For some journeys, extra passengers pay just £99.

Adam suggests booking the Oceana, which has a kids’ zone packed with activities like talent shows and sports coaching.

For both of these options, the cost of the cruise includes all meals on board.

Adam also picked out Celebrity Cruises, which is currently offering 50 per cent discounts for additional passengers staying in the same stateroom for journeys between now and April 2021.

Plus, it includes up to $700 (£539.13) of credit per stateroom for on-board spending.

Or you could go with a new ship – Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages is launching later this year with the Scarlet Lady.

For those that book now, you’ll get up to $400 (£308.07) of credit per cabin to spend on board.

Cruise Critic recently named the best cruise lines around the world.

Booking re-positioning cruises is another way to save.

Sun Online Travel previously revealed there are secret decks on board cruise ships.





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