A new wave of deals

Dave Mills at online agency iglucruise.com says: “Traditionally the cruise industry has a massive annual campaign starting in December, called The Wave, to shift the following year’s stock at highly attractive prices.

“This year that didn’t happen, with Costa Concordia causing a one-week wobble in bookings in January.

“Individual cruise lines don’t like to be the first to move on price, so the buzz is that February could be the start of something rather special.”

This new promotion in the 2012 retail campaign includes savings of up to 25 per cent on some lines, including Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises and Cunard, and up to £1,600 off per couple at Princess Cruises, plus extras like free parking and all-inclusive upgrades.

Mike Hall, marketing director at Cruise & Maritime Voyages, who offer no-fly cruising from ports including Newcastle, Hull and Liverpool, says: “Inevitably, Costa Concordia’s tragedy affected everybody in the cruise industry.

“There was a hiccup that weekend and into the following week. But interest soon picked up.

“We are keeping our promise of discounts up to 25 per cent on 2012 cruises, on bookings by February 29.”

Ahead of the sales drive, Mills says a remarkable 17-night Eastern Med/Adriatic voyage on Cunard’s Queen Victoria, ex-Southampton on April 4, is “flying off the shelves” from £999. That’s barely £60 per day.

Fly-cruises with MSC, mostly ex-Genoa, start in April from £549, which is great value because the price includes return flights. While 11 nights on RCCL’s upmarket Azamara, departing New York in mid-April, is a steal from £1,049.

Stealing a march on rivals, Cruise Thomas Cook has linked with Marriott Hotels to offer a free pamper day to customers booking between February 9 and 14.

A similar incentive is being offered in Co-operative Travel stores where those who book between February 16 and 21 will get a free case of Laithwaites wine.

Included in Thomas Cook’s sale is a 14-night Scandinavia & Russia Cruise on Celebrity Eclipse from £1,329, ex-Southampton on July 21 to Bruges, Berlin, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Stockholm and Copenhagen.