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Now is the time to book: Cruise advice, deals, destinations

Tour the world, stay in one place (WTOP's Rachel Nania)

WASHINGTON — Ladies and gentlemen, grab your suit, your sunscreen maybe some Dramamine — and get ready to sail. As those in the cruise industry say, “It’s wave season.”

Matthew Phillips, director of travel for AARP, said from January to March, most cruise lines promote and feature their best offers of the year with discounted rates, onboard upgrades and airfare credits.

If you’ve never been on a cruise, Phillips makes a convincing argument for testing the waters. And for veteran voyagers, he shares emerging trends and destinations that will kick your wanderlust into high gear.

**COMMERCIAL IMAGE** In this photograph taken by AP Images for Oceania Cruises, Oceania Cruises' new ship, Marina, arrives in North America for the first time on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 in Miami after her maiden voyage from Barcelona, Spain which began Jan. 22nd.  At 66,000 tons and carrying 1,250 guests, Marina features 10 dining venues including Jacques, the first namesake restaurant for Chef Jacques Pepin.  Other highlights include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Bon Appetit Culinary Center, Owner's Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home, and a grand stairway custom-crafted by renowned French glass master, Lalique.   (David Adame / AP Images for Oceania Cruises)
Why cruise? Perhaps one of the best reasons to opt for a cruise is the convenience of staying in one place while traveling to multiple cities and countries, Phillips said. “You only have to unpack once, but wake up in a different place every day. You can have a consistent hotel experience in a variety of different locations,” he added. Another plus: No matter the size of the ship, there are endless activities to keep guests entertained, both on and off the boat from zip-lining, to cooking demonstrations, spa treatments and art exhibitions. (AP Images/David Adame)
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**COMMERCIAL IMAGE** In this photograph taken by AP Images for Oceania Cruises, Oceania Cruises' new ship, Marina, arrives in North America for the first time on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 in Miami after her maiden voyage from Barcelona, Spain which began Jan. 22nd.  At 66,000 tons and carrying 1,250 guests, Marina features 10 dining venues including Jacques, the first namesake restaurant for Chef Jacques Pepin.  Other highlights include a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Bon Appetit Culinary Center, Owner's Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home, and a grand stairway custom-crafted by renowned French glass master, Lalique.   (David Adame / AP Images for Oceania Cruises)
Atmosphere at the Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival to Benefit LegalAid of Orange County at Hanger 244 on Saturday, May 31, 2014, in Irvine, Calif. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for Celebrity Cruises/AP Images)
FILE - In this May 2, 2016 file photo, Carnival's Fathom cruise line ship Adonia arrives from Miami in Havana, Cuba. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruises announced that they had received permission from the Cuban government to begin sailing from the U.S. to Cuba. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings plans sailings on ships from two of its brands, Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania. Royal Caribbean will also sail on two lines, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File)
** FOR STORY SLUGGED CRUCEROS **  Royal Caribbean's "Radiance of the Seas" is shown in Seward, Alaska, in this Sept. 7, 2007 photo, dwarfing the fishing boats in the port. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)
This July 2012 photo shows the countryside during a cable car ride in Rudesheim, Germany, while at a stop on a waterway tour on the the river ship Avalon Felicity. The small scale of river ships, which typically carry no more than a couple hundred passengers, is a large part of their appeal, in contrast to ocean-going mega-ships that carry thousands. On a river ship, you don’t need a GPS device to figure out where the lobby or the dining room is. And there’s a sense of intimacy, with plenty of cozy moments.  (AP Photo/Anne D'innocenzio)

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