Deals to Be Found During Wave Season!

Wave Season! Travel agents are familiar with this term, but how many cruise consumers know its meaning? Wave season, is the travel agent's favorite time of year. Historically, most would not relate the winter months to waves and beaches and good times. But to the sellers of cruise travel, the winter season is the time when business picks up and people are planning their summer and fall vacations. "Wave" season is January through March. It propels vacationers toward packed ships in the summer months they can only dream about now. It's a great time to plan ahead and purchase their cruise vacation, because the cruise lines like to take full advantage of the peak buying time. Eager to encourage those on the fence, promotions often abound during this time of year. Early February is an especially nice time to check in with your cruise agent, as many cruise lines will offer a Valentine's special that may not have to be redeemed until later in the year. However, a word of warning in my observations of the travel industry of late. If you are looking for specific accommodations, ships, and pricing, things are "achanging". Planning ahead is key. The recession allowed people to find last minute deals. It changed their mind set to wait for the price to drop lower instead of planning ahead. The analysts are predicting the travel industry to pick up in 2011. When I check pricing for my clients, I usually find the further out they plan, the better price they get. The pendulum is swinging back toward getting better deals by planning in advance. Make sure you don't miss the wave!

How to Really Save on the Price of Your Cruise: Put Together a Group

In this modern world, many people love to search the internet for the best price on their cruise. Let's face it. It's a challenge! The problem is how do you really know if you truly found the "best" price? I understand the thrill. I'm the type person who likes that shopping thrill. It's the victory of the hunt when you find the perfect deal. Now, some people don't enjoy the endless hours on the computer searching for the perfect deal. They would rather just pick up the phone and call their travel agent. However, others actually get a kick out of the research and bargain shopping. For them it's the beginning of the cruise experience. I can relate to this. I'm a coupon shopper, a sale shopper, and before I became a travel agent, I was one of those cruise bargain shoppers. However, one of my best deals was through a travel agent when she had an exclusive offer from a cruise line. My point is....if you REALLY want the best possible deal on a cruise - Put together a group, and travel for practically free. This is the ultimate way for you bargain shoppers out there to get a great deal on a cruise!

Free? There must be some kind of catch. Right? Not if your travel agent negotiates the group contract with the cruise line and you're able to obtain the required number of group members. With most lines, a group of 16 full paying adults will earn a tour conductor credit. This is the person who is deemed to be the group leader. If you have 15 friends to travel with, why not let that person be you? If you can organize these people to join in on the fun, then you have just earned yourself a free cruise fare. Of course, if you are married or are taking another traveling companion, you'll have to pay for them, and you do have to pay for taxes and government fees. But it's a steal of a deal! Doubtful that you can beat that deal anywhere else! Usually, you'll also be awarded other amenities for your group that your agent will negotiate for you. All the cruise lines have great deals for groups, but I've grown particularly fond of working with the Princess Groups Department, as they negotiate special rates and amenities for your group.

You might ask why the cruise lines would be so generous? It's a win-win situation for everyone. You have your "berth" paid for, and they have someone out there providing free advertising to help sell those cabins. They're also counting on the fact that you just might spend some of the green stuff onboard their lovely ship. Yes! It's a win-win situation all the way around.