Wave Season is upon us once again. Cruise lines are sweetening the pot for potential cruisers by offering enticing post-holiday sales during the first months of the new year.
We checked in with Beci Mahnken, president and CEO of MEI-Travel, to get her take on what to expect during this year’s wave season, and how to take full advantage of its opportunities.
What is your outlook for 2023’s wave season? Are you expecting it to be a particularly successful period as the pandemic continues to wane?
While it’s difficult to predict with certainty just how successful wave season will be in 2023 — as it will depend on factors such as the state of the global economy and ongoing COVID-19 issues — I believe we may be in for a tidal wave.
Sales have been very strong in the fourth quarter [of 2022, when] we usually see a slow down as guests turn their attention to the holidays. That just hasn’t been the case. And now that more people are feeling increasingly comfortable living with COVID-19, the increase in demand certainly has a lot of potential to increase, as well.
Following record sales reported by several lines following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, do you think even more records are to come?
The travel industry has come back with a roar, and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. There is demand for cruises, and land vacations, and family vacations. It’s been like drinking from a fire hose — a great problem to have, of course, as many agency owners I have talked to [are] setting sales records in their niches.
If this trend continues, I’m sure 2023 will be a banner year across the board.
Know your clients’ history and preferences, so you are ready to apply an offer on a booked trip or call a client if you see a deal on their dream vacation.
Do you have any strategies to leverage cruise line incentives for the benefit of clients and your overall business?
Knowledge is power. It’s all about staying on top of the information and organizing the offer information as it crosses your inbox. Know your clients’ history and preferences, so you are ready to apply an offer on a booked trip or call a client if you see a deal on their dream vacation.
We emphasize relationships in our agency and love making that call to say we have found a deal on a client’s bucket-list getaway, or that we just saved them $700 on the trip they already booked. Keeping those relationships top of mind results in loyal clients for the long term. And that’s a win for everyone.
A Sampling of Wave Deals
Deals are already coming in droves, but here is a small sampler of some of the more interesting ones we’ve seen for 2023.
- Azamara is offering up to 40% savings and a $300 onboard credit. The deal is good through Jan. 31, and can go toward select sailings departing Feb. 28, 2023, to April 3, 2024.
- Celestyal Cruises is slashing prices even more, with discounts up to 60% off 2023 and 2024 itineraries. Available through Feb. 28, the Greek voyage specialist is offering its “Go Further, Get Closer Wave Season” campaign.
- Virgin Voyages is taking 60% off the cost of a second traveler with the purchase of the first, plus offering up to $600 in onboard beverage credit, depending on the cruise’s length. The special is good through Jan. 31.
- Windstar Cruises is letting clients choose which perk they receive through Feb. 28. Options include either a complimentary pre- or post-cruise one-night stay, up to $1,000 in onboard credit per cabin, or a free upgrade to Windstar’s All-In package (which includes complimentary Wi-Fi access; unlimited beer, wine and cocktails; and gratuities).
