By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Three of the most popular all-inclusive resort brands
For one upfront rate, you’ll get accommodations, meals, snacks, beverages, and most activities, including non-motorized water sports like snorkeling and kayaking.
Riu is a family-run company founded in 1953. It has 37 all-inclusive options in a variety of destinations, like Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. Recommended: The 4.5-star Hotel Riu Santa Fe in Los Cabos.
Iberostar resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean provide relaxing atmospheres in well-preserved natural settings. Three Iberostar Grand resorts provide no-kids settings, all-suite accommodations, and butler service. Recommended: The 5-star Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya in Playa del Carmen.
Secrets, part of the AMResorts family of all-inclusive brands, pampers guests in sophisticated, kids-free settings in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. These spots are ideal for romantic escapes. Recommended: The 5-star Secrets Aura Cozumel, for guests age 18 and older.
Cruise News
Wave season cruise deals 2021
As cruise lines prepare to release their 2021 deals, I’m here to give you a primer on everything you need to know.
Exactly what is Wave Season?
Wave season is generally the first-quarter booking period each year, running January through March, when the winter-weary begin longing for trips to the warm, sunny Caribbean and start thinking about planning their cruise vacations for the coming year.
Generally, each cruise line releases deals, add-ons, and other perks as incentives to entice travelers to book. These could include everything from discounts on cruise fares themselves to onboard credit, complimentary gratuities, gratis dining or beverage packages, reduced deposits or inclusions like free Wi-Fi access.
What are the latest Wave Season deals?
Most major cruise lines have confirmed that they will be running deals for the 2021 wave season. Although some lines plan to wait until the New Year to roll them out, others have already begun releasing deals and offers in an effort to drum up interest among cruisers.
Contact Perfect Journeys for the latest Wave Season deals on AmaWaterways, Celebrity Cruises, Emerald Waterways, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea Cruises.
Why should you feel comfortable booking a cruise during Wave Season?
Because the pandemic situation changes almost daily, cruise lines are more flexible than ever with their cancellation policies. If your sailing is canceled by the cruise line, you’re likely to have a choice between a full refund or future cruise credit in an amount greater than what you originally paid.
If you cancel your booking yourself, those policies have also been relaxed, allowing you to scrap your booking closer to the sailing date and offering more lenient refund amounts or, in some cases, the ability to simply reschedule for a later date with no penalty.
Star Clippers welcomes 2021 with 21 percent off
This wave season, Star Clippers is bidding farewell to 2020 and saying welcome to 2021 with a 21 percent off cruise fare on select itineraries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. This offer also includes a complimentary bottle of champagne in the cabin to celebrate.
The Welcome 2021 offer is good on select bookings made by Jan. 21––making this offer 21 percent off in 2021 for 21 days. Sailing dates are from April 2021 through March 2023.
For more than 25 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to modern tall ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels.
Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 170 guests. The 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in service today.
All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck, and piano lounges.
Deal of the Week
Complimentary pre- and post-river cruise land packages
Valued up to US$3,000 per couple, added to select sailings when you reserve before Jan. 15.
For a limited time, when you reserve AmaWaterways new Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps, Taste of Bordeaux, Gems of Southeast Europe, or 14-night Grand Danube river cruises, you’ll receive a complimentary 3- or 4-night land package!
What’s included in your complimentary pre- or post-river cruise land package:
- Stays at 4- and 5-star hotels conveniently located near the major sites
- Daily breakfast at the hotel
- City tours led by knowledgeable local guides
- The services of an extraordinary Cruise Managers throughout your journey
- Convenient transfers to and from the ship
Reserve your 2021 or 2022 river cruise with a complimentary land package before Jan. 15. More than 140 sailings available.
Lake Como, Italy
Reserve: 7-night Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps river cruise
Receive: Complimentary 3-night pre- or post-river cruise land package in Lake Como, Italy
Transylvania, Romania
Reserve: 7-night Gems of Southeast Europe or 14-night Grand Danube river cruise
Receive: Complimentary 4-night pre- or post-river cruise land package in Transylvania (2 nights Brasov, 2 nights Bucharest, Romania)
Basque Country, Spain
Reserve: 7-night Taste of Bordeaux river cruise
Receive: Complimentary 4-night pre-river cruise land package in Spain’s Basque Country (2 nights Bilbao, 2 nights San Sebastián)
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant since 1971, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit your interests, physical abilities, and budget. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics and around-the-world travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email judynewell@perfectjourneys.net.
Sources: Insider Travel Report, Cruise, AmaWaterways