Traveling in Greece is always an adventure — even for a local like me.
29.04.2024 - 19:39 / thepointsguy.com / Royal Caribbean
"Yeah, right," I muttered while staring at a deal on Royal Caribbean's homepage last week. A countdown clock just below the promotion told me that I only had seven hours, 40 minutes and 28 seconds left to pounce on the offer before it would magically disappear.
I knew it wasn't true. That deal would be back the next day.
I've been tracking the big promotions from the major cruise lines since November. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and a handful of other brands have been running the same standard bargains on their websites for months, each one claiming to have limited-time status.
What began as Black Friday promotions were repurposed and rebranded for wave season — the period during the first quarter of each year when cruise lines offer some of their best deals. Some have been extended as far out as the end of June.
At first, I was thrilled that travelers had additional time to take advantage of the deals. On second thought, I realized that if a deal is set to run for more than half the year, it's no longer a true deal. It becomes the standard baseline for fares and inclusions. All the pressure to book right this second is being manufactured by the cruise lines.
Want to get the best bang for your buck when you book? Don't take a cruise line's deals at face value when it's offering dollars off or percentage discounts off the so-called regular rate.
Here's why those offers you're eyeing right now aren't anything new or special and what you should be looking for instead.
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Cruises are selling so well in 2024 that cruise lines don't need to offer deep discounts or extra perks that will make passengers salivate. In fact, inventory is already limited for the summer and into the fall for many lines. When there's enough demand, the deals don't have to be as good — and right now, they aren't. Sure, that high-percentage discount might catch your eye, but with cruise fares at all-time highs, you might not be saving as much as you think.
Plus, instead of offering extra perks (such as free drinks or Wi-Fi) as part of a limited-time promotion, cruise lines are either making them part of extra-fee packages or making them standard inclusions and pricing sailings accordingly.
Holland America, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises will sell you "all-inclusive" package add-ons. Additionally, NCL continues to give passengers the same Free at Sea add-ons it's offered for years. Don't think you're getting something for nothing when the line gives you booking perks, such as free basic Wi-Fi and alcohol packages, shore excursion credits, complimentary dining in specialty restaurants, and free third and fourth
Traveling in Greece is always an adventure — even for a local like me.
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