By Charles Passy
Cruise offers abound during the January-March 'wave season' as well
Ready to shop for some cruise-line fun? Deals abound during the Black Friday-Cyber Monday period.
When it comes to the holiday sales period that runs from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, many look for bargains on clothes, electronics and toys.
But Jake Doll, a 33-year-old tech-industry publicist, has a different type of deal in mind. Namely, he goes shopping for a cruise vacation.
In fact, Doll already made his purchase - for a six-night Caribbean sailing aboard a Virgin Voyages ship - as part of a pre-Black Friday sale. And he's quite pleased with the deal he got, which he says included a steep discount for the second passenger and a bar credit. &#34;It was good enough to commit,&#34; Doll told MarketWatch.
The cruise industry is banking on the fact that there are lots more travelers like Doll out there who will be scouting for those discounts, especially during Cyber Monday. It wasn't so long ago that cruise lines tended to focus their biggest and best sales during what's called &#34;wave season&#34; - a promotion-heavy period that runs from January to March.
These days, though, the Black Friday-Cyber Monday period is giving the wave a literal run for its money, according to industry experts. All the lines seemingly have some kind of offer on the table right now. The reason is simple, explained Bree Spearman, who runs a travel agency based in Kansas City, Kan.: Cruise lines lean into this time period &#34;because it aligns with existing consumer behavior.&#34;
So, if you're going to align away and shop for a cruise, what should you know? The following are six points to consider, according to cruise-business pros.
How to tell how good the deals really are
Given that cruise lines run promotions nearly every day of the year, how can you tell if you're really getting a deal on Cyber Monday? The question is all the more pertinent considering that many industries and retailers are known to boost prices in advance of the post-Thanksgiving sales period, so they can claim to be offering savings during the period itself. And that's indeed the case with the cruise industry as well, according to a recent cruise-pricing report from Bernstein analysts Richard J. Clarke and Niall Mitchelson.
Still, industry experts say the post-Thanksgiving deals are generally solid and may end up being the best of the year. And while Melissa Newman, a business professor and travel enthusiast with a cruise-themed site, says the holiday savings were more robust in previous years, she also says you can't go completely wrong shopping now. Just be forewarned, Newman adds: A lot depends on the individual cruise line and the individual offer.
In that regard, if you really want to do some number crunching, the Cruise Critic site lets you see how a particular sailing has been priced over time - specifically, with its &#34;Price Insight&#34; feature that's part of its cruise search tool.
When are these deals being offered?
It's confusing, since some Cyber Monday cruise deals are being extended beyond Monday. And again, you'll likely find deals during the other 364 days of the year.
Among the current deals from the major cruise lines being promoted on their websites, Royal Caribbean (RCL) has a Cyber Monday offer with up to $1,000 off cruise fares . Carnival Cruise (CCL) is advertising sailings starting at $170 per person. And Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) is offering 50% off all sailings, plus up to $1,000 in an onboard credit.
A good deal is about more than just the sticker price
It's not only about savings on the basic cruise price (cabin included). As mentioned, some offers include free drinks, while others might include another perk, such as discounts on airfare or a hotel stay before the sailing. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) often offers multiple discounts at once - and as part of its Cyber Monday sale it's promoting its Free at Sea combo that includes a beverage package, meals at its specialty restaurants, discounts on shore excursions and more.
Don Buccolo, a cruise enthusiast who's behind the Eat Sleep Cruise site says focusing on these add-ons is essential. &#34;That is often where the real value comes from, as the cruise fares we have seen are on par with typical discounts cruise lines run during other times of the year,&#34; he said.
It's worth noting a couple of details, however. Discounts may not always apply to all of a cruise line's sailings (look for the key phrase &#34;select sailings&#34;). And again, don't hesitate to do the math: If the basic cruise price is actually higher than usual (even with an advertised discount), the freebies may not be so, well, free.
It's not a deal if it doesn't really suit your needs
If a freebie or discount is offered for an extra perk that you may not care about, then what's to get excited about? If you're a nondrinker, free booze won't mean a thing. And if you're fine with eating in the main dining room or buffet - in other words, the dining options that are included in your basic cruise price - you may not feel the need to visit those specialty restaurants. Oh, and if you live near the cruise's embarkation city, what good is a hotel deal?
Also, take a moment to parse any offers involving free or discounted airfare: If it means the cruise line is arranging your flight without you having much say in the itinerary or timing, it may not be a deal you're willing to accept.
Travel agents can be your best friend
If sorting through these Cyber Monday offers, especially when comparing deals among multiple cruise lines, becomes too much, then bring in the professionals - namely, travel agents. They can assist by doing some of the sorting out, plus they typically have firsthand experience traveling different lines, which means they can match your tastes to specific lines and even specific ships. On top of that, they may have access to promotions beyond what a cruise line is publicly advertising.
If you find a better deal later, many cruise lines will make it up to you
Ah, the dreaded buyer's remorse, which in this case means booking a cruise during Cyber Monday only to find out there's a price drop or a better deal later. But all hope may not be lost. Cruise lines have cancellation policies, after all. And while you still may pay a penalty if you cancel and rebook - the amount can vary depending on how close it is to the sailing date - you can always take out the calculator once again and see whether it's worth doing so.
On top of that, some cruise lines will simply adjust the price or offer an onboard credit or credit for a future sailing if you find a lower price after you book. The Cruise Critic team advises that it's always best to call the cruise line and see what they may offer. And don't be afraid to bargain.
-Charles Passy
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones &amp; Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-01-25 0228ET

<p>Cruise lines like Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean are offering Cyber Monday deals, competing with the traditional 'wave season' sales. Discounts include reduced fares, onboard credits, and perks like free drinks and specialty meals. Experts suggest evaluating the overall value, including add-ons, as prices may be inflated before discounts. Deals extend beyond Cyber Monday, with offers varying by cruise line and sailing.</p>

Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean have Cyber Monday cruise sales. But is now the best time to shop for a deal?