Cunard, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises — all Carnival Corporation cousins — are reporting record cruise sales for the 2024 wave season, which typically runs from January through March. With such high demand in the market, it’s more crucial than ever to get your clients booked on their preferred itineraries as soon as possible.
Cunard
In Cunard’s case, January 2024 saw more guest reservations than any equivalent month of previous years across the last decade. Specifically, this year’s period saw a sales increase of 25% compared to the line’s highest record over the last 10 years. Cunard cites rising demand for 2024 cruises, as well as future years.
“As we prepare to navigate what is set to be a truly ground-breaking year for Cunard, it has been fantastic to have such a strong start to the year,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “The appeal of Cunard is strong for guests across the world, and is particularly strong for sailing across Europe on our new ship Queen Anne.”
Holland America Line
Holland America Line (HAL) set a new single-day booking record on Jan. 16, 2024, only six months after recording its last best day of reservations (topping July 11, 2023, by 18%). What’s more, the week ending on Jan. 19 proved another record period for the line, marking its best-ever wave season bookings week. More than a third of the reservations within the week were made for Alaska sailings, and 22% were for 2025 departures and years to follow.
“Stacking records on top of records is a sign of continued strength for our business and an endorsement from our guests that they are truly having the time of their lives exploring the world with us,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Our position as the cruise line with the most visits to Alaska’s glaciers and more ways to see wildlife is resonating, and we’re pleased to see so many guests already planning their 2025 vacations.”
Aiding the company’s latest success are its recent “Time of Your Life” sale incentive and the release of its new Legendary Voyages, longer sailings that spend greater time in and further enrich each destination. Coming up in 2025, the line is also planning two concurrent extended cruises that exceed 120 days in length — Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole and a Grand World Voyage.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is also pleased with its January bookings, especially for sailings in Alaska. Last month, the line recorded over 20% more regional reservations than any preceding January.
“With its jaw-dropping landscapes, unspoiled natural beauty and incredible wildlife, Alaska is so much more than a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer for Princess. “This is our 55th anniversary of taking guests to the great land, and this soaring interest underscores the importance of securing an Alaska adventure for the upcoming summer season while availability still remains.”
For 2024 and 2025, Princess is offering Alaska cruises and cruise-tours ranging from four to 22 days in length with convenient departures from Seattle; Whittier (for Anchorage), Alaska; Vancouver, B.C.; and San Francisco or Los Angeles from California.
In Alaska, Princess showcases navigating the pristine Inside Passage and visiting untouched Glacier Bay National Park, the sixth-largest national park in the U.S., home to more than 600 species of wild animals, such as brown bears, bald eagles and harbor seals.
Meanwhile, the brand’s cruise-tour land extensions consist of visits to Denali National Park, Fairbanks and Anchorage, with accommodations at five conveniently located Princess Lodges. Plus, exclusive “Direct-to-the-Wilderness” rail service easily transports guests between their ship in Whittier and the Denali region during a single day.
