Wave season 2023 has commenced, and cruise lines are already reporting record bookings. Travel agents need only ride that wave themselves to benefit from the travel segment’s increased sales across a variety of cruise companies and experiences around the world.
Here are six lines that have already experienced record bookings.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas Ocean Voyages is citing its Europe cruises as the reason for its latest boom in sales, particularly the period of Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. The record-breaking dates measured a double-digit boost versus the previous year. The line’s culinary-centric “Epicurean Expeditions,” beginning in April 2023, are offered in addition to its polar sailings in the Arctic and Antarctica.
“The debut of our Epicurean Expeditions, our collaboration with Chef Rudi Scholdis, the addition of World Traveller to our fleet, and of course, the support of travel partners — have all contributed to the strong close-in booking demand we are seeing,” said James Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas.
Cunard Line
Cunard Line revealed that it reserved more guests in the first week of January than any comparable period in the last 10 years. Departures in 2023 and 2024 are popular, especially summer itineraries and Queen Anne's inaugural season.
"Following two of our strongest booking periods in 2022, we have seen unparalleled bookings during the start of wave [season],” said Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival U.K. “We've increased our marketing investment significantly, including the use of television advertising for the first time as we reach and appeal to new audiences. It's clear that guests are looking forward to stepping back onboard both in the U.K. and across all our global markets."
Holland America Line
Holland America Line, a heritage brand under parent company Carnival Cooperation, is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary, and it, too, is reporting record-setting reservations.
Similar to Cunard, bookings in the third week of January were higher than any other January week in the line’s history. Additionally, that week’s booking numbers surpassed those during the same period in 2019 by more than 20%.
Particularly successful right now are summer cruises and Alaskan cruise-tours. In fact, Alaska reservations were 25% greater than during the strongest week in January of 2019. What’s more, Jan. 17, 2023, was Holland America’s single-best day of reservations for any January on record, 25% of which targeted 2024.
“Seeing this level of booking is a great sign for Holland America Line and for the industry,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Travelers are clearly excited to get back to cruising, and they appreciate the service and experiences unique to Holland America Line including our Alaska Up Close onboard programming. It’s especially encouraging that so many guests are already looking ahead to 2024 and planning their next vacation.”
Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic
Expedition lines and relatively smaller operators are benefiting from significant sales increases recently; Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic, for one, measured its largest day of bookings since 1979 on Jan. 3, 2023. Reservations exceeded the line’s previous record by more than 14%.
And, on Jan. 5, the company’s inbound call volume was around 40% higher than its average “very busy” Monday, according to the brand.
Garnering particular interest at the moment are Lindblad’s voyages to Alaska, the Galapagos, the Arctic, Antarctica and Costa Rica.
“Adventure travel is proving to be the break-out travel trend of the decade, and we’re seeing tremendous excitement from guests across geographies and generations to get that bucket-list trip on the books today,” said Noah Brodsky, chief commercial officer for Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic. “With over 50 years of pioneering heritage exploring more than 150 world-opening itineraries, people are turning to Lindblad Expeditions for authentic expedition cruise experiences. This is a strong start to what we strongly believe will be a record-breaking year for our fleet of unique expedition ships.”
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is also celebrating strong sales with an additional incentive for agents. Bonus commissions are available for reserving Alaska or Europe voyages in 2023 and 2024 by entering promo code PARTNERS, good through February 17.
“We are experiencing a record-breaking WAVE season this year driven by strong demand and increased anticipation to cruise from both our loyal guests and travelers new to cruising,” said Vicki Freed, senior vice president, sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International.
“What better way to celebrate this exciting time than to show extra appreciation to our loyal travel partners with a special booking incentive to put even more dollars in their pocket," she said. "Thank you for your dedication and entrusting us to deliver memorable vacations to your clients. Last year, we set more than three all-time booking records in our 53-year history, and the momentum continues into early 2023. From introducing Wonder of the Seas, to revealing Icon of the Seas, the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation, and as we get ready to expand our private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the excitement to vacation with Royal Caribbean International has skyrocketed.”
SeaDream Yacht Club
Last but not least, SeaDream Yacht Club also experienced its best-ever booking week, as reported on Jan. 19, 2023.
The company attributes this early wave season success to pent-up demand for a “return to their favorite exclusive destinations in an intimate ambiance with an established and acclaimed brand,” according to the line.
“Travelers continue to gain confidence in booking a future voyage, especially for small, luxurious vessels, such as SeaDream I and SeaDream II,” said Andreas Brynestad of SeaDream Yacht Club. "SeaDream’s modernized yachts; the distinctive destinations where we go, and larger ships cannot; and the support of our valued travel partners helped make our wave season launch a success. We look forward to welcoming our loyal guests and new-to-SeaDream guests onboard for a most memorable and luxurious yachting experience.”
