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Cruise bookings surge for holiday season
Cruise industry experts say bookings for 2025 are already up 10-15% from the historic 2024 season.
TAMPA, Fla. - The holiday season is here, and the cruise industry is sailing into what could be another record-setting year.
Industry experts say trips for 2025 are already booked by 10-15% over 2024's historical levels. They predict the 2025 wave season, the top booking period of the year for the cruise lines, will be the strongest ever.
Wave season runs from January to March and is also the time of year when there are the most promotions available.
A cruise ship at Port Tampa Bay.
Carnival said in September that all of its eight brands were almost 75% booked for 2025.
"It's very good and shows that people are going on vacation, and what was historically seen is that, you know, let's say when the economy is up or down or whatever geopolitical issues are going on, that people are not willing to give up their vacations, specifically their cruise vacations," cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron, aka ‘The Cruise Guy,’ said.
"It also says that, because we've also seen a little bit of a weakening in the hotel industry, people are getting a little sick of the pandemic pricing where you'd see certain hotels, gouging with higher rates and providing reduced services. More and more people are experiencing cruises," Chiron said.
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This comes after a historic 2024 season, during which about 34.5 million people went on cruises.
"There's actually fewer cabins to be booked in the wave season. So, that's important. So, you know, keep in mind that we're going to see a lot of sales, a lot of cute little buzz words, but it's going to be a lot of stuffing and not a whole lot of meat because they're already full. So, they're going to be offering very little enticements. Maybe there could be some upgrades. There could be some Wi-Fi, there could be some drink enhancements, but keep in mind, the prices are going to be higher than they have been historically," Chiron said.
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Chiron said there are usually Florida resident rates, military discounts and other deals to look out for.
"If people are planning to go on a cruise in 2025, or even in 2026, this is now the time they should be thinking about it if they haven't already," he said.
Chiron recommends using a travel agent, and says be flexible with the dates for your vacation because it could save you thousands.
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