Cruise lines in a buoyant mood

Hopefully, Covid-19 and norovirus will be eliminated, either on cruises or around the globe. But the important thing is how cruise lines prepare for and react to onboard cases in the future. Right from deep-cleaning to enhanced medical facilities and improved ventilation will become the new norm

While the cruise industry has experienced a 96 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) increase of passengers, reaching 13.9 million, it still does not compare to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, where there were 29.7 million passengers globally. It has been even worse year for travel intermediaries specializing in cruise holidays.

Global spending across 60 major cruise markets increased by 65 per cent YoY, resulting in total revenues of $19.4 billion. Nevertheless, this was still far from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, which were approximately $29.8 billion, 35 per cent higher than 2021's figure.

Right now, there are some amazing cruise deals available for 2022 cruises! The cruise lines are running promotions with low cruise fares, as well as additional perks. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering its free at sea promotion with additional bonuses including specialty dining and drink packages.

Other cruise lines are providing incentives for cruisers to begin booking cruises for next year. Some of these perks include onboard credit, reduced deposits, and double loyalty points.

Not to mention, many travel agents are also offering additional perks to book 2022 cruises. Thus, you should do a little comparison shopping once you have narrowed down a cruise itinerary and ship for next year. By doing so, you can save some money and score some extra bonuses.

Although historically cruises have rarely offered refundable fares, many cruise lines continue to be flexible about cancellations. But discounted cruise fares have been few and far between. Prices now generally match what they were in 2019.

The best time to book cruises is generally from January through March, and sometimes a bit into April, during what the cruise industry calls wave season. During these months, you might find a discounted booking, or packages with perks that offer deals on board, such as free drinks or Wi-Fi. The early bird gets the best cabin. The further out you book, the greater your cabin selection. By booking now, you can ensure your ideal cabin location, whether it's a midship balcony, one of the limited aft-balcony staterooms, or a location close to the pool deck.

For those with specific preferences for Suites or other specialty cabins, booking early increases the likelihood of getting the exact cabin you want for your family vacation.

With many still dealing with the impact of Covid-19 on employment, waiting to cruise until 2022 might make more financial sense. Also, you can setup a payment plan to make incremental payments toward your voyage. Any payments you make will be refunded if you need to cancel as long as it is within the cruise line's stated timeframe.

For others, waiting until 2022 to cruise might mean you can upgrade. If you didn't get to cruise in 2020 or 2021, you might have some extra vacation days and funds.

Many cruise lines have hinted that initial cruises will be shorter itineraries with a focus on private islands. Further, no cruises longer than 7-days can sail until after November 1st 2021 due to the CDC's Conditional Sail Order. Thus, with homeports likely being limited to Florida initially, you will not have many itinerary options beyond the Caribbean and Bahamas.

The incredible thing about the year 2022 is the new promises in cruising. The cruisers can forge ahead towards new destinations that people didn't know they could go to, like new hidden gems, journeys, and a new trend of enjoying the most out of vacation days. The cruise industry provides passengers with a way to travel to destinations that are out of the ordinary, in style and comfort, to places around the world that are unlikely to have been visited before. So, suppose you're thinking about a perfect cruising vacation. In that case, you'll often be amazed at the opportunities in front of you right now.