Why right now might be the best time to find a deal on a cruise

If you haven’t decided how to spend your summer vacation this year, just wave.

Every year between Jan. 1 and March 31, cruise companies try to outdo one another with bargains, offering low prices and stacking on perks. They call it “wave season.”

“It’s absolutely a great time to buy,” said Daren Autry, director of operations for Montrose Travel. “Experienced cruisers know to wait for wave season to make their bookings.”

Some of the buys:

— A seven-day Mediterranean cruise from $749 a person on Princess Cruises.

— A nine-night Scandinavian cruise from $779 a person with an ocean-view room on Celebrity (and look for Scandinavia & Shakespeare).

—A European river cruise on Viking from $2,556 a person.

The prices are based on double occupancy and, for the most part, these deals expire at the end of March or in April.

Although there are bargains throughout the world and in the United States, some of the best buys can be found in Europe, where terrorism has caused red flags for some tourists.

Wave season this year comes with a caveat: The U.S. State Department this month updated its Worldwide Caution alert because of “the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world.” The caution mentions Europe as vulnerable, noting recent terrorist attacks in France, Denmark and Turkey.

Cruising is one way to take a sort of seagoing grand tour of Europe without the hassle of changing accommodations: Unpack once, the advertisements say, and see some of the greatest cities in the world.

“People who cruise in Europe get to visit key destinations,” said Marilys Ward of Celebrity Cruises. “If you’ve wanted to see Italy, Greece and Spain, this is the way to do it.”

Among Celebrity’s wave season offers: A $2,999 European cruise that includes airfare, a balcony stateroom and a choice of such perks as free beverages, free Internet, no tipping, or $150 per person shipboard credits.

Wave season started with a single “wave day” in the early 1980s, occurring on the Monday of the first full week of the year, according to Cruise Lines International Assn., an industry trade group. The three-month version generates much of the cruise lines’ annual booking totals, so all the companies try to capture consumer interest.

“While suppliers offer deals and tactical promotions all year long, during wave season, every major supplier has an offer in the marketplace at the same time,” Autry said.

“With that being said, the suppliers have to get more creative and/or make their offer richer to entice the consumer. The objective from the vendor’s perspective is to make their offer the one that makes the consumer bite.”

Although wave season is almost over, don’t worry that you’ve missed the proverbial boat.

“There are great offers still available,” said Charles Sylvia, a vice president with Cruise Lines International Assn. “Cruise lines and travel agencies understand that consumers are now accustomed to wave season lasting three months — with some people booking early to get exactly the stateroom type and location they want, and others holding out to see if the offers become even more attractive at the end of wave — so they plan accordingly in order to attract guests at both ends of the spectrum.”

What if you miss the wave cutoff?

“The good news for those who might not have booked in time is that we’re seeing some of these added-value promotions year-round,” said Colleen McDaniel, managing editor of CruiseCritic.com.

“They might be a bit more difficult to track than wave season deals, but signing up for emails from cruise lines is a great way to be notified of the deals directly.”

travel@latimes.com

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Cruise tips: Activities keep boredom at bay while at sea

Worried about being bored during your days at sea? Relax. Most cruise lines ramp up the activities when there are no port stops. You’ll probably have your choice of exercise classes, lessons, enrichment programs and other activities.