Sponsored By

Wave offers from Explora Journeys, Costa, Riverside, American Queen, Riviera

Several cruise lines launched or extended their wave-season promotions.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

January 30, 2024

5 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

They include offers in North America for Explora Journeys, Costa and Riviera River Cruises, and new promotions for Riverside Luxury Cruises and American Queen Voyages.

Explora Journeys' up to 40% savings

Explora Journeys extended its inaugural 'Total Luxury Offer' until Feb. 29, giving up to 40% savings in an ocean terrace suite or ocean grand terrace suite.

This applies to Explora I and Explora II sailings up until April 2026. Travelers may reserve with a reduced 10% deposit and get €200 per person in on-board credit.

Cruises explore Hawaii and the US Pacific Coast from March to May this year aboard Explora I and the Mediterranean from June to November on Explora I and from August on Explora II.

Many itineraries are combinable and have a more leisurely pace, with the ships spending more time in port or staying overnight.

Examples include two nine-night cruises: 'Hawaii Volcanos & the Magic of Kai,' April 18 from Vancouver, BC to Honolulu and 'No Ka ‘Oi of Hawaii,' April 27 from Honolulu to Vancouver. In the Mediterranean, Explora Journeys will offer easily combinable seven-, 14- and 21-night cruises in the eastern and western Med.

Costa Cruises North America's low fares

Costa Cruises North America is offering fares starting at $299 per person, double occupancy for a six-day Mediterranean sailing.

The 'Seas the Day' sale is available for select Mediterranean and northern Europe itineraries when booked by Feb. 29.

Cruises covered in the promotion range from six to 23 days departing May through November this year. Ships include Costa’s two newest – Costa Smeralda and Costa Toscana – as well as Costa Deliziosa, Costa Diadema, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Favolosa, Costa Fortuna and Costa Pacifica.

Among the itineraries are round-trips from Piraeus, Barcelona, Valencia, Copenhagen, Marseilles, Hamburg, Civitavecchia (Rome), Savona, Marghera (Venice) and Taranto.

Other sample fares include an eight-day Mediterranean voyage starting at $499, a nine-day cruise to Scotland starting at $649 and a Norway Fjords trip priced from $929. All fares are per person, double occupancy.

'Seas the Day' has a $250 per person desposit and allows free cancellation up to 90 days before departure.

Riverside Luxury Cruises' on-board credit

Riverside Luxury Cruises is offering up to €300 on-board credit per suite for sailings on the Rhine, Rhône and Danube. While Riverside already includes nearly everything in its fares, travelers can apply their on-board credit to spa treatments, top-shelf spirits and fine wines, a private shore excursion or The Vintage Room, an exclusive, gourmet degustation with fine wine pairings.

'Our third luxurious river ship, Riverside Debussy, inaugurates in March, and will join Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel to bring guests to the some of Europe’s most fascinating locales and cultural centers,' said Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, Americas.

For all new bookings made through Feb. 29, on voyages departing March 23 through August 31, 2024, each traveler will receive €150 onboard credit for up to two guests per suite. This wave offer applies to itineraries of five nights or longer and for 'all-inclusive plus excursion' package bookings. Travelers must quote promo code 'WAVE24' when booking.

American Queen Voyages' savings and flexible payment policy

American Queen Voyages' 'Sail Away & Save Event' includes more than 200 voyages through 2025. Passengers can save up to $3,500, get a $100 premium shore excursion credit and a $100 'Your Choice' on-board credit for select sailings.

2024 offerings include shorter voyages, new themed cruises and more shore excursions.

Additionally, AQV unveiled a new flexible payment policy with low deposits of $250 per person, due within three days of making a reservation. The remaining balance of the voyage fare isn't due until 61 days before the departure date. Reservations made within 61 days of the sail date require full payment at the time of booking.

The wave season offer is available for bookings through Feb. 29.

AQV's fares bundle in a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, ground transfers between the hotel and vessel, unlimited guided tours and experiences, open bar and unlimited Wi-Fi. Port taxes and fees, along with pre-paid gratuities, are also included.

Riviera River Cruises promotions extended plus travel advisor gift cards

Riviera River Cruises extended its wave season promotions for the North American market through the end of March. A $400 per person discount is available on middle and upper-deck cabins aboard eight-day European river cruises in 2024 and 2025, including exclusive departures for solo travelers, and a $700 per person discount is available on middle and upper-deck cabins aboard 11- to 15-day cruises.

For every cabin booked, travel advisors receive a $100 gift card as a bonus commission. In addition to the wave season promotions, advisors receive one entry into a drawing for six gift cards valued at up to $1,000 for every booking through February.

'Wave season bookings have been high so far, so we’re keeping our promotions in place beyond January and through the end of March,' said Riviera's Marilyn Conroy, EVP sales and marketing North America. 'We’re offering savings on most of our 2024 and 2025 departures, including our new 11-day cruises, new ship and itinerary on the Douro River and new themed cruises. Guests will also enjoy our new drinks package for free.'

Bookings must be deposited by March 31.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like