National Plan a Cruise Month from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is officially kicking off today, and Travel Agent has rounded up the latest deals and incentives to help agents get the most out of the promotion.
#CruiseSmile – A Chance to Win One of 31 Cruise Vacations
During the month of October CLIA will be running #CruiseSmile, which offers travelers the chance to win one of 31 cruise vacations from 23 different cruise lines awarded each day from October 1 through October 31, 2015. Anyone can enter each day during the sweepstakes by submitting a photo featuring a "cruise smile" at CruiseSmile.org, or posting their "cruise smile" on Twitter or Instagram using #CruiseSmile and #Sweepstakes. Participants will have the opportunity to share their posts for more chances to win.
Visit www.CruiseSmile.org
Up to $800 in Onboard Credits From Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises will be offering the "Early Booking Dream Sales Event" during National Plan a Cruise Month. As part of the deal clients can enjoy reduced rates, reduced deposits and onboard credits of up to $800 per cabin on select 2016 Mediterranean cruises.
Costa is promoting Mediterranean cruises in October with reduced rates and reduced deposits of $100 per person (usually $400) on eight ships and on itineraries from March through December 2016. Costa also is offering onboard credits ranging from $50 to $400 per person, double occupancy, depending on the level of cabin booked and duration of the cruise.
Onboard credits vary depending on interior, outside, balcony and suite cabins, and range up to $200 per person, double occupancy, for cruises up to seven nights; up to $300 on itineraries of eight or nine nights; and up to $400 on cruises 10 nights or longer.
Visit www.costacruise.com
Norwegian Cruise Line Offers Freestyle Choice Value Adds
Also in October, Norwegian Cruise Line will be celebrating with up to $1,400 in added value offers when guests book a new cruise vacation through October 31 as part of the line's Freestyle Choice promotion.
Guests who book a new three- through 16-day cruise in any category stateroom for sailings on or before April 30, 2016, will be able to select one of four offers, including a free Ultimate Beverage Package, a free Specialty Dining Package, free $50 per port shore excursion credits in up to four ports, or a free 250 minute Wi-Fi package. Guests who book a suite or The Haven by Norwegian will receive all four offers, making their cruise into an all-inclusive experience. In addition, the third and fourth guest in each stateroom can sail for free on select sailings in 2015.
Guests who book a cruise that begins on or after May 1, 2016, have two options: cruisers who book a balcony or above can select one full value offer, while guests who book an oceanview, inside or Studio stateroom can select one offer at a modified value, including a free unlimited soda package, a free $50 dining credit, free $25 shore excursion credit per port, per stateroom, and a free 100 minute Internet package.
In addition to Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice, guests who book a new cruise vacation in October on one of Norwegian Sun’s South America sailings will receive $100 in onboard credit on select sail dates. Also in addition to Norwegian’s Freestyle Choice, those looking to enjoy some cruising cheer this holiday season can receive up to $200 in onboard credit when they book one of Norwegian’s select holiday sailings. And guests who book a new cruise vacation aboard Pride of America in Hawaii will receive one free pre-cruise hotel stay and can choose from reduced air starting at $399 on select sailings. Finally, those who book a new cruise vacation during the month of October will enjoy reduced deposits for all sailings through the end of June 2016.
Visit www.ncl.com/FreeChoice
Paul Gauguin Launches $100 Shipboard Credit Plus 50 Percent Off Deal
Finally, Paul Gauguin Cruises will be offering its own Plan a Cruise Month deal onboard the Paul Gauguin and Tere Moana through October 31.
Those who book a 2015 or 2016 sailing aboard The Gauguin or The Moana during National Plan a Cruise Month will receive a $100 per-person Shipboard Credit. This Shipboard Credit can be used to indulge in a spa treatment in Deep Nature Spa, purchase a souvenir purchase in La Boutique, or book a shore excursion aboard. Paul Gauguin Cruises is also offering savings of 50 percent off standard all-inclusive cruise fares on all voyages of both ships, plus included airfare from Los Angeles on Paul Gauguin itineraries.
Visit www.pgcruises.com
Full List of Participating Cruise Lines
CLIA's full list of participating cruise lines is:
- AmaWaterways
- American Cruise Lines
- Avalon Waterways
- Azamara Club Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Costa Cruises
- CroisiEurope River Cruises America
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard
- Disney Cruise Line
- Holland America Line
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Oceania Cruises
- Paul Gauguin Cruises
- Pearl Seas Cruises
- PONANT
- Princess Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Royal Caribbean International
- Seabourn
- SeaDream Yacht Club
- Tauck
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
- Windstar Cruises
To take advantage of the National Plan a Cruise Month cruise line deals and promotions as well as the expertise from travel agents, CLIA is promoting certified cruise specialists at cruising.org/cruise-vacationer/plan-a-cruise/clia-agent-finder.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest National Plan a Cruise Month deals, offers and incentives.