Wave Season came early!

Right now not many people want to talk about cruises, and I totally get that! But just to let you know, many of the cruise brands have already jump started their traditional Wave season. What is Wave? It's the usual first quarter big sales push that almost the entire cruise industry participates in. This year, though, I'm already getting emails and calls about "early" Wave specials.

Here are the differences I see with this Wave season that's just kicking off.

• Offers are being made much earlier and at slightly deeper discounts.
• Qualifying itineraries include almost all the brand's offerings rather than a portion.
• The current Wave season includes sailings all the way until the end of 2021 and even into the first quarter or so of 2022. (Many cruise lines haven't yet announced sailings past the first part of 2022, which is normal.)
• The cancellation terms are much less restrictive now, and can be activated, in some cases, up to a week before sailings.

My take on Wave right now. 👋

• If you feel like you're going to have your vaccinations and want to travel (when countries open) in 2021, including holiday travel for next November and December, let's take look. Also if you are interested in first quarter 2022 it's worth taking a look.
• I've seen some good deals with extra benefits.
• Deposits are higher (but in most cases, if you cancel before you have to pay in full, you can get your deposit back.) We'd have to check brand by brand on that.
• I've seen payment in full requirements ease up for several brands, meaning you might pay in full 90 days out instead of 120 out, giving you more time to cancel and get your deposit back.
• We will not know about which countries will open when, nor will we know what the travel requirements will be. You can count on masking, I'd bet. Vaccinations, I'd bet. Perhaps covid19 testing before you board a plane. And probably shore excursions through the ship only. All that is up in the air and impossible to predict. Anyone who tells you for sure "how things will be" is blowing smoke.

Examples.

• I see a small ship cruise available in early September, 2021 whose ports are Mediterranean, 10 night, upscale ship, for 2 adults in a verandah plus stateroom, including drinks, dining, laundry and land transfers, internet, speciality dining, priority embarkation and debarkation, and in-room spirits pricing for about $8950 (that's for two people). That's a decent deal on a very nice small ship.
• Over Thanksgiving 2021 a 14 night Caribbean exploration, small upscale ship, 2 adults in a verandah plus stateroom, including drinks, dining, laundry and land transfers, internet, speciality dining, priority embarkation and debarkation, and in-room spirits pricing for about $7645.

At some point in the future each person will make the decision to travel again. I feel like for me that point will be sometime past mid-year 2021, so it's great to see options available that stretch into 2022.

That's it for now. You can find me at sue@travelchangeslife if you have questions.