Just a reminder: Entries for the Allure are now in, and it will soon be time to vote. Click on the graphic above on Friday to see how you can help send a Canadian family on the latest “biggest ship in the world.”
Good morning and welcome to the World’s Largest Cruise Night. So what is the World’s Largest Cruise Night? You get on your Harley or that classic ’57 Chevy and ride the roads around the beach? Ah, no.
This is a night when members of Cruise Lines International Association, an organization representing cruise lines and agencies, get together to create deals you can’t refuse.
It’s kind of like the days before Christmas when everything looks like a bargain, but you have to do the research to make sure.
It’s expected 50,000 consumers will be checking in to see if the deals are real. I have listed a few of them below. Some are for today (October 13) only, others last a while longer. It still makes sense to check with an experienced cruise agent — possibly your regular agent has added some goodies to the pot. And keep in mind the deals are in U.S. funds.
So call it a festival of cruising and here are a few of the offers that are out there…
Avalon
Travellers can save $2,000 per stateroom on select 2011 European river cruises through November 30.
Carnival
Clients are being enticed with cruise upgrades available on virtually all “Fun Ship” departures through December 2011. To sweeten the deal, Carnival will offer not only best available upgrades, but up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for all Carnival Magic Europe voyages — but only if they’re booked today. The best available upgrade offer applies to new individual bookings. The Carnival Magic Europe offer includes best available upgrades and a $100 onboard credit per stateroom for 7-day European sailings and a $200 onboard credit per stateroom for 9-and-12-day sailings.
Celebrity
For Celebrity, this is a three-day sale for sailings departing April 2011 through December 2011 for select 7-to-14-night departures featuring onboard credits of $50 per stateroom for oceanview accommodations; $100 per stateroom for veranda; and $150 per stateroom for AquaClass (only on Solstice-class ships), suites, and Concierge Class. The offer applies to new bookings.
Crystal
The offer of $100 per person additional savings is for most 2010-2011 departures (new bookings) made through the end of this month. Offer is combinable with 2-for-1 fares and Crystal Society Savings and is only applicable to the first and second guest in each stateroom.
Oceania
With 2-for-1 cruise fares, plus free, round-trip air and bonus savings up to $1,000 per stateroom, Oceania is celebrating not just the World’s Largest Cruise Night but also its maiden season to Alaska.
Uniworld
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection will offer a $100 per person bonus savings for all 2011 product and departures on bookings made in conjunction with World’s Largest Cruise Night. This savings is combinable with all current savings offers and is applicable for bookings made between today and October 20.
Your cruise agent should know all about this. If they are not aware of what’s going on today, I humbly suggest you find a new cruise travel agent.
Happy World’s Largest Cruise Day…err, Night.
All for now.
