Wave Season Makes Huge Splash

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is reporting strong bookings for 2010's "Wave Season," the biggest promotional period of the year. This year may be one for the record books.

American Cruises Lines is reporting that it it's "experiencing its best Wave Season ever. With the addition of the brand new Independence and the Queen of the West, which is the only operating overnight paddlewheel boat in the U.S., our sales are at record levels."

Avalon Waterways says its cruise bookings are up more than 90 percent over 2009.

Carnival Cruise Lines said, with the support of its travel agent partners, targeted marketing initiatives, itinerary enhancements and a variety of close-to-home departure points, Carnival reported record Wave Season bookings, with strong reservations activity for 2010 departures.

The list goes on. Norwegian Cruise Lines are up. Royal Caribbean International is up. Crystal Cruises? "Soaring sales for its 2010 cruises continued through the end of January. Bookings for the month were 205 percent greater than for the same month in 2009."

Special offers are still available from many CLIA members. These include:

AMAWaterways
 "Be our Guest at Oktoberfest," which includes a complimentary two-night stay in Munich and free airfare or free companion air.

American Cruise Lines
Early bird discounts of $400 per stateroom for any reservations made three months in advance of the sailing.

Avalon Waterways
 $300-$1,000 off per stateroom on selected European River Cruise Vacations/Avalon Waterways River Cruises; no single supplement on select departures.

Azamara Club Cruises
Two-for-one fares and book a Club Veranda Stateroom for the price of a Club Oceanview stateroom when booking by March 31 on 2010 Europe voyages (sailings April 25 - December 9).

Carnival Cruise Lines
 A variety of attractive fares, including Early Saver rates starting at less than $70 per day, with guaranteed lowest rate with Early Saver’s price protection feature

Celebrity Cruises
New low rates; reduced third- and fourth-guest rates; "Upgrade Your View" to veranda accommodations promotion (Offers on select sailings in Caribbean, Bermuda, Europe and Alaska).

Costa Cruises
Up to 60 percent off select 2010 sailings; up to $100 in onboard credits for select summer Mediterranean cruises.

Crystal Cruises
 Two-for-one fares for all destinations; All Inclusive – As You Wish spending credits for all destinations – up to $2,000 per couple; Free round-trip air with most cruises; Business class air for Penthouse categories in Europe; 2010 Price Guarantees.

Cunard Line
Savings of up to $600 per person on Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings. Save up to $1,000 per person off early booking fares, based on double occupancy for Balcony staterooms on select Queen Victoria Mediterranean voyages.

Disney Cruise Line
Select European cruises from April 10 through May 5, starting at just $50 per person, per day, including 14-night transatlantic voyage, 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings.

Holland America Line
Savings of up to 40 percent on ocean-view and verandah accommodations and third and fourth guest savings.

Hurtigruten
Summer Special – savings of up to 20 percent off retail rate – to promote six-, seven- or 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages this summer (May 1 - October 6)

MSC Cruises
“Wave Season” special rates on select three- and seven-night Caribbean cruises, including theme cruises (comedy, baseball, country music, big band and more) on MSC Poesia, for bookings through January 31, including best available stateroom within the same category at time of booking; $100 per person deposits on all cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line
“Year of the Freestyle Vacation” promotion that includes up to a six category upgrade and onboard savings certificates of up to $400 for all new reservations made through March 14 on any of the line’s 10 Freestyle Cruising ships. All travel partners with qualifying bookings on balcony staterooms or above made during the promotion will be entered to win a cruise.

Paul Gauguin
Free or two-for-one airfare from Los Angeles to Tahiti, plus up to 45 percent standard published fares for bookings made by June 30, 2010. Also no single supplement on select spring departures.

Princess Cruises
 “Balcony Bonanza” – through February 28, travelers can choose to a private balcony for the cost of an oceanview stateroom; “Denali on Sale” - savings of up to 25 percent on a land and sea Alaska cruise tour.

Seabourn Cruise Line
 Two-or-One cruise fares plus value-priced round trip airfare add-ons to all 2010-2011 Europe and Asia cruises aboard Seabourn’s all-suite fleet of five cruising yachts. Bookings must be made between March 23 and June 30, 2010

Silversea Cruises
 Up to 60 savings, plus free air and transfers on select voyages

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
 Upgrade to Business Class Air from only $199 per person from New York to Europe on select cruises by booking and paying in full by March 26. Spring Savings up to $600 per couple on Europe River Cruises by booking and depositing by April 30. Single Supplement waived on select cruises; and 50 percent off for young travelers on family-friendly cruises.

Windstar Cruises
“Europe on Sale” promotion features seven-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles at exceptional savings; $100 per person shipboard credit for bookings by March 31; early payment gratuity package valued at $84 per guest for payment in full 6 months or more in advance. 

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