With fewer crowds at some of the world’s most visited ports and more manageable temperatures in the low twenties, winter is a great time to cruise.
Recent data from Google Trends shows a significant increase in interest in winter cruises, with searches for the term rising by 119 per cent in the past three years.
More travellers opt for winter getaways, eager to escape the UK’s chilly weather and explore destinations with less congestion and lower prices.
With Black Friday just around the corner, cruise expert Dave Mills, Chief Commercial Officer at Iglu Cruise, has shared some of his best tips for scoring great deals this winter.
Whether you’re looking to book a last-minute holiday or plan for the next wave of discounts, these hacks will help you secure the best cruise offers before the year-end sales rush.
How to find the best Black Friday cruise deals
1. Consider less tropical destinations
Tropical spots like the Caribbean can be expensive during winter due to high demand. At this time of year, when the weather is cooler and the crowds are thinner, opt for quieter destinations like the Mediterranean.
Dave said: “Customers don’t often think about visiting destinations such as the Mediterranean in winter. However, for those looking to benefit from fewer crowds and more room to explore, winter provides an excellent opportunity to visit Italy, Spain, Greece and more.”
2. Take advantage of sales
Black Friday, which falls on November 29 this year, is a prime time for cruise deals. Look for discounts, free upgrades, and perks like drink packages from major lines such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.
Dave shared: “Whilst Black Friday itself, the 29th of November, is the main day for great deals, you’ll be able to find new offers all throughout November each day. Keep checking, as many of the sailings will get picked up quickly.”
3. Prepare for wave season
Wave Season runs from January to March and offers great cruise deals with perks like low deposits and onboard credit.
The expert recommends: “Take advantage of Wave season and get incredible deals. We run deals with all major cruise lines for sailings through winter, spring, and summer.
“Keep your eyes peeled for Wave season deals and when you see the package for you, give our travel agents a call or book online, and make sure to act fast as demand is usually incredibly high during this period.”
4. Research last-minute options
If you’re somewhat flexible with when you can travel, many last-minute sailings often come with discounts, especially in winter when demand is lower.
Dave said, “You can keep your eye out for last-minute cruise deals all year round. However, in the summer, demand is extremely high, even for last-minute cruises. Winter is a great time to take advantage of last-minute deals as it is much less competitive.”
5. Sign up for newsletters
Newsletters are a great way to stay updated on exclusive cruise deals and discounts and provide inspiration if you’re unsure which destination to choose.
The travel pro emphasised: “Many of our customers get great deals through our newsletter service. It’s very easy to sign up and fantastic offers come through whenever we make them available.”