The reason you're seeing so many cruise ads even though some sailings are being canceled
If you feel like you're suddenly seeing lots of ads for cruises, you're not imagining it.
Cruise ads have always been prominent in Florida, the unofficial cruise capital of the world, but TPG staffers have reported seeing TV spots in several markets -- including Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Charlotte, North Carolina -- for Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Virgin.
I even passed a billboard for Carnival last week in suburban Pennsylvania on a road that I wouldn't consider a major highway. (Carnival, in particular, has been touting its brand hard. The line was one of the sponsors of the ball drop in Times Square on New Year's Eve, promoting its new ad campaign, "Funderstruck.")
What might seem odd is that lines are touting their vacation experience and pushing bookings when sailings again are being canceled due to COVID-19.
So, why the big advertising play?
Cruise lines are forward looking, and want you to think ahead, as well. Despite what's happening right now, they want you to plan voyages for 2023 or even 2024 -- and many travelers are doing just that.
"Bookings continue to build for the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023," said Arnold Donald, Carnival Corp. president and CEO, during a December earnings call, when predicting bookings for this year. "We are achieving those early bookings with strong demand."
Cruise lines know that you're unlikely to book a last-minute cruise for next month. They're focused on the future, once the omicron surge is past and travelers are beyond ready to set sail.
A deposit on a future cruise gives you something to look forward to when the current travel landscape is less than ideal. Unsurprisingly, your booking also helps cruise companies with revenue management and cash flow.
That's why you see cruise lines stepping up their marketing in places within driving distance of many ports on the East Coast. (If you're hesitant to fly, driving to your embarkation port could be an option, depending on where you're located.)
Plus, January to March is the period historically known as wave season, when cruise lines typically double down on deals and try to incentivize travelers to book. This time of year is often the best time to save on a cruise , and cruise lines want you to know about their exceptional, limited-time promotions.
Through the first quarter of 2022, you'll find wave season discounts on fares, as well as valuable add-ons like free Wi-Fi, drink packages, shore excursions, cabin upgrades, onboard credit and more.
Feel free to book those future cruises with confidence. Although some lines recently canceled sailings, we don't anticipate another industry-wide shutdown, which means cruises will still be sailing into the latter part of 2022 and beyond.
Plus, cruise lines have stringent health protocols -- which include mandatory vaccination, pre-cruise testing and contact tracing -- and flexible cancellation policies that can protect you should you change your mind later on.
The next time your TV screen is filled with flashy cruise ships, tropical islands and families having vacation fun, you won't need to stop and scratch your head. Instead, pay attention to see if the cruise line is offering you a deal on next year's getaway that might put a bright light at the end of a dark winter tunnel.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.