By Anne Kalosh.
Now is a great time to book a small-ship cruise. January to March is known as wave season, the annual peak booking period for the cruise lines, when they typically unleash their best small ship cruise deals.
For example, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures is offering savings on Alaska in 2018. Take advantage of this small-ship way to see the Great Land, which has been hot-hot-hot as a destination for all cruise lines in recent years.
Kayaking along an Alaska fjord from Safari Endeavour. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise fares aren’t cheap—they start at $3,995—but travelers can save $225 per person, or $450 per couple, on any seven-night Alaska departure aboard S.S. LEGACY and SAFARI ENDEAVOUR. Plus, you’ll get a $100 shipboard credit per couple.
S.S. LEGACY and SAFARI ENDEAVOUR carry no more than 86 passengers and visit remote areas of Southeast Alaska. This wave season deal applies to three itineraries, which are flexible so the expedition guides can maximize adventure, exploration and learning. No two trips are the same.
S.S. Legacy’s Pesky Barnacle Saloon. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
The itineraries include “Alaska’s Glaciers & Whales,” with the opportunity to hike on the moraine of Baird Glacier, explore Tracy Arm Fjord with its twin Sawyer glaciers, skiff the iceberg gardens at LeConte Glacier and explore Tongass National Forest. Travelers can visit the Tlingit village of Kake and whale watch in Frederick Sound, prime humpback feeding grounds. Departures are May-August.
The “Whales, Wildlife & Glaciers” itinerary features a full day in Glacier Bay National Park, floating the river or biking in Haines, and spotting wildlife such as whales, Dalls porpoises, sea lions and black bears. Departures are May-August.
“Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruises” provides two full days in Glacier Bay National Park, a visit to the Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers, and the chance to explore Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm by skiff. Departures are in April, July and September.
Exploring Alaska icebergs by skiff. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
To qualify for the UnCruise wave offer, bookings must be made by Feb. 28.
Star Clippers, meanwhile, is enticing travelers to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean between May and September with free pre- or post-cruise stays at top hotels in Athens, Cannes and Rome on select departures.
The Athens hotel deal applies to certain Northern and Southern Cyclades weeklong voyages aboard STAR FLYER, which depart round-trip from Piraeus (the port for Athens). These visit popular Greek Isles like Mykonos and Santorini. Two free nights are included at the stylish Electra Hotel Athens, located in the central commercial district, a short walk from the Acropolis. Eligible sailing dates are Aug. 4, 18 and 25, with fares starting at $1,690.
Mast climbing on Star Clippers’ tall ships. * Photo: Star Clippers
Free hotel add-ons in Rome are available with certain seven-day cruises along the glamorous Amalfi Coast or a five-day jaunt from Cannes to Civitavecchia (the port for Rome). Travelers can extend their stay in Italy’s capital with one night at the Art Deco Hotel Mediterraneo. Applicable dates are the June 30 Cannes to Civitavecchia sailing on STAR FLYER, priced starting at $1,270, and the July 21 Sicily and Amalfi Coast cruise on ROYAL CLIPPER, starting at $1,845.
Royal Clipper sails from Cannes and along the Amalfi Coast. * Photo: Star Clippers
Cannes is a favorite port for Star Clippers—the company offers multiple five- to seven-night cruises on both ROYAL CLIPPER and STAR FLYER. Passengers booking a select sailing will receive two nights at the beachfront Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel, ideally located on the historic old harbor. Applicable dates are May 5 and 12, Sept. 22 and 29, and Oct. 6 aboard ROYAL CLIPPER, priced starting at $1,845, and June 2, 9, 16 and 30 on STAR FLYER, from $1,270 for five nights and $1,690 for seven nights.
These are just a couple examples of wave season deals. We’ll keep an eye out for more offers in the days and weeks ahead.
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3 Comments
I enjoyed both of these articles, but especially the Uncruise article since I’ve sailed as Captain on both the ships mentioned. I’m very fond of the S.S. Legacy. She is a one of a kind gem of a ship. Uncruise has taken great strides in maintaining and upgrading both of these vessels.
Thanks for your insights George, UnCruise is a great small-ship line, no question. Ted has been on the S.S. Legacy and it’s on my must-do list!
George, we are in total agreement here beginning with her first trip to New York as the Pilgrim Belle in 1986. I was smitten then and still am.