If you’re a cruise fan, chances are you’ve heard about cruise wave season. For those who aren’t in the know, listen up. When it comes to cruise deals, New Year’s is a great time to start looking. With much of North America experiencing cold weather at that time, travelers’ thoughts turn to vacation planning for the upcoming 12 months.
It’s also the time when cruise lines offer some of their best sales and complimentary add-ons. They might include extras like Wi-Fi, alcohol, gratuities, specialty dining, onboard credit, and more. Here’s all you need to know about wave season, why it might be worth shopping for deals early in the year, and how you’ll know if what you’re seeing is actually a bargain.
Offers were valid at the time of publication. They are subject to change or expire without notice.
What Is Wave Season?
Wave season is the cruise industry term for the period – generally during the first three months or first quarter of each new year – when cruise lines aim to fill as many cabins as possible for future sailings. They do this by running promotions that consist of three possible elements: discounts on cruise fares, freebies you’ll earn by booking at full price, or a combination of discounts and freebies.
Translation: It’s one of the best times of year to snag savings or add-ons. However, you have to shop carefully and know what to look for.
How and When Did Wave Season Start?
There isn’t a specific date on which wave season first kicked off. It’s believed cruise line marketing departments created it in the 1980s as a way to start each year off strong by enticing would-be passengers to commit to booking early.
What Are This Year’s Wave Season Cruise Deals?
You might find yourself with post-holiday shopping fatigue, but if you didn’t jump on a Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal for an upcoming voyage, you’ll want to pay attention to these wave season cruise deals.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Luxury expedition cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages is doubling amenity offerings for passengers and knocking up to 40% off select voyages for 2026 and 2027 departures. That means travelers can choose two complimentary add-ons instead of one from a list that includes $1,500 per cabin to apply toward flights, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, and unlimited upgraded Wi-Fi for two devices.
Reserve a cabin on one of 16 select cruises by March 31, 2026, to use this offer. It’s valid on new bookings only. Passengers opting for the airfare credit will have $1,500 deducted from their cruise fare before other discounts are taken. The hotel stay option comes with a transfer to the cruise port on embarkation day.
Azamara Cruises
Upscale cruise line Azamara is offering up to $1,000 in onboard credit per cabin, based on room type and voyage length, to passengers who book one of more than 200 select 2026 or 2027 cruises that depart on or after Feb. 3, 2026. This promotion includes sailings to destinations like Asia, Alaska, French Polynesia, South America, Europe, the Panama Canal, and others.
Plus, the line’s Always Azamara inclusions – complimentary specialty dining, select alcohol, room service, self-service laundry, and gratuities – provide passengers with thousands of dollars’ worth of additional value versus what they’d pay for all of those perks if they weren’t rolled into the fares.
Book by March 31, 2026, to take advantage of this offer. Note that you can use the onboard credit pre-cruise to buy shore excursions or during the cruise for other purchases. The credit is nonrefundable and will be forfeited if not used by 10 p.m. on the final night of sailing. This deal is extended to new bookings only. Solo passengers sailing in a two-person cabin and paying a full single supplement are eligible for the full onboard credit amount.
Carnival Cruise Line
To help passengers enjoy more for less on their 2026 sailings, Carnival is running several deals that change frequently throughout wave season. Examples include:
Book-A-Cruise Season Early Saver Deal: Book a cruise by Jan. 12, 2026, and save up to $1,100 per cabin, earn up to $300 in onboard credit per room, and snag upgrades from $1. Plus, deposits start from $49 per person. This offer is valid on select voyages departing through April 2028.
More = Merrier Sale: Through Jan. 12, 2026, take advantage of up to $125 in savings per cabin and deposits of just $25 per person for cabins of three passengers or more. This promotion applies to certain cruises through fall 2026.
Great Rates Onboard Credit Sale: Save 40% on cruise fares, and receive up to $100 in onboard credit per cabin when you book select sailings departing through April 2026 by Jan. 12, 2026.
Offers are capacity controlled. Savings and onboard credit amounts are based on ship, cabin type, and cruise length.
Celebrity Cruises
As its gift to you this cruise wave season with its Semi-Annual Sale, Celebrity Cruises is granting up to $600 off prices. It’s also offering an additional $100 off select sailings and slashing cruise fares for the second person booked in each cabin by 75% when they share a cabin with someone paying the full fare. Additionally, the third, fourth, and fifth passengers in each cabin booked with this promotion will sail free.
Visit the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, and other destinations. This offer is valid until further notice.
This offer is valid for select voyages of three nights or longer, departing through May 10, 2028. Passengers sailing for free must still pay port taxes and fees. The offer of 75% off a second cruiser applies only to nonrefundable fares; passengers booking refundable fares will receive 50% off the second person. The third-, fourth-, and fifth-passenger-free promotion is only available for certain cabin types, and it excludes Alaska cruisetours. Galapagos sailings are excluded from all offers under this sale.
Explora Journeys
New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys is issuing you A Suite Invitation with its wave season deal of the same name. When you book through this promotion, you can score select cabin types at the price of the next-lowest cabin type. Room types not included in the deal will still be discounted by 30% of their regular price, and all passengers will benefit from a reduced 10% deposit.
Plus, with Explora’s all-inclusive model, all fares already come with alcohol, high-speed Wi-Fi, fitness classes, gratuities, port shuttles, welcome refreshments, and thermal spa access at no extra charge.
Choose from more than 500 voyages to places like the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada and New England, and Asia when you book by Jan. 28, 2026. This offer is available for new bookings only.
Holland America Line
A slew of perks and discounts await with Holland America’s Start Your Journey wave season promotion. Choose from more than 300 select sailings of six days or longer, departing in 2026 and 2027, and enjoy an ocean-view cabin for the price of an inside or a balcony for the price of an ocean-view room. Additionally, you’ll receive up to 30% off cruise fares, a 50% reduced deposit for the first two passengers in each cabin, and up to $500 in onboard credit per room. Plus, kids sail free when booked as the third and fourth passengers in a cabin shared with two full-fare-paying travelers.
Plus, when you select one of Holland America’s premium “Have It All” fares, you’ll get basic Wi-Fi and beverage packages, as well as shore excursion and dining credits (depending on cruise length). Further, as part of the Holland America’s sponsorship of Cruise Week on popular television show “Wheel of Fortune,” the line is tacking on reduced deposits of just $25 per person for a limited time (through Jan. 12, 2026, only).
Voyages included in this deal visit Alaska, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada and New England, the Norwegian Fjords, the Panama Canal, as well as other destinations.
This offer expires February 26, 2026 and excludes Grand Voyages and sailings of fewer than six days. Savings and onboard credit are determined by cruise length. “Kids sail free” offer applies to passengers 18 and younger sharing a cabin with two full-fare-paying adults. Passengers sailing on reduced or free fares must still pay applicable taxes and fees.
Margaritaville at Sea
Fun-in-the-sun Jimmy Buffett-affiliated brand Margaritaville at Sea is slashing prices and throwing tons of extras to passengers this wave season with its Best Sale Ever. Cruisers can save up to 60% on fares for select voyages, rack up as much as $800 in onboard credit, earn cabin upgrades, save up to 40% on prepurchased amenity packages, and book third and fourth travelers in their cabins for free.
During the sale, prospective cruisers for Margaritaville’s newest ship – Beachcomber, debuting in 2027 – can lock in early-bird pricing for bookings on the new vessel.
This offer expires Jan. 31, 2026, and it’s valid on certain dates across the line’s Mexico, Bahamas, and Caribbean itineraries. Third and fourth passengers sailing free are still required to pay applicable taxes and fees.
MSC Cruises
For one week only, MSC Cruises‘ January Wave Offer is doling out up to $500 in onboard credit for passengers, along with its usual “Kids Sail Free” promotion, which allows free third and fourth passengers 17 and younger in each cabin with two full-fare-paying adults.
This offer is valid through Jan. 15, 2026, on select sailings that include itineraries heading to the Bahamas, Mediterranean, Asia, and more. Children sailing for free will still be charged applicable taxes and fees. This offer does not apply to group bookings, and it cannot be combined with other promotions. Onboard credit amounts are determined based on cruise length, sailing date, and cabin type.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line already includes Free at Sea amenities – 150 minutes of high-speed Wi-Fi, unlimited alcohol, shore excursion and dining credits, free airfare for the second passenger in each cabin (select sailings), and free fares for third and fourth passengers in the same cabin (select sailings) – in its standard fares. But, with the line’s New Year’s Sale, cruisers can also save up to 50% on prices.
Additionally, they will earn two extra loyalty points per night sailed. (Under NCL’s Latitudes program, passengers earn status with the line by accruing points for each night cruised. The number of points per night depends on the cabin type they’ve booked; under this promotion, they’ll earn an additional two per night.)
This offer is valid until Jan. 6, 2026. Third and fourth passengers sailing free will still have to pay applicable taxes and fees. Double Latitudes points are available only to the first and second passengers in each cabin.
Oceania Cruises
Cruisers wishing to sail with culinary-focused cruise line Oceania can take up to 30% off voyages across all eight of the brand’s ships with the Upgrade Your Experience wave season cruise deal. They can also choose from double shore excursion credit or unlimited drinks when they book and enjoy 50% reduced deposits. Select from more than 140 cruises to places that include Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, among others.
Make a reservation by March 4, 2026, to take advantage of this offer. It’s valid on accommodations up to and including the line’s Penthouse Suites. It is not valid on world cruises or their segments. Offer of double excursion credit or included alcohol is only available to the first two passengers in each cabin. If no selection is made, a credit will be applied to final payment or issued as onboard credit, the amount of which will depend on sailing length. Amenities are per-guest for passengers sailing by themselves, regardless of single supplement paid.
Princess Cruises
To celebrate the New Year, Princess Cruises has launched its annual Come Aboard Sale. It features up to $500 off the top for cruise fares, plus an additional savings of up to 40% on the remaining amount. You’ll also score 50% reduced deposits and free berths for third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin with two other people.
With this deal, you can visit more than 340 different locations across all seven continents. Destinations include Alaska, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and other popular regions.
This sale runs through Feb. 16, 2026. Discounts and onboard credit amounts are per cabin, based on the length of the voyage booked. Third and fourth passengers whose cruise fares are free must still pay applicable taxes and fees. The offer of 50% reduced deposit is not available for fares requiring payment in full at the time of booking.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is notorious for both family fun and switching up its deals frequently throughout wave season. This year, you can expect to save up to $1,000 on cruise fares, with amounts varying throughout the promotional period. However, the line will be consistently offering 60% off fares for the second passenger in each cabin and allowing third and fourth passengers in each room to sail for free on select sailings.
Additionally, passengers will be able to save 40% on onboard extras like Wi-Fi and shore excursions during certain periods within the promotional timeframe.
Book by February 2, 2026, to score these bargains. Discounts are calculated based on itinerary length and cabin category booked. Passengers sailing free must still pay applicable taxes and fees.
Viking Cruises
The Viking Savings Event promotion is bringing passengers up to 35% off cruises, free or discounted airfare, and deposits of just $25 for all itineraries, courtesy of Viking Cruises. This includes the line’s river, ocean, and expedition sailings to Australia, Asia, the Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, the Chilean Fjords, Antarctica and other destinations.
Since Viking’s voyages are nearly all-inclusive, they roll alcohol with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and room service into their fares.
Be sure to book by Jan. 31, 2026, to qualify for these extras. This offer is valid for select river, ocean and expedition cruises through 2028.
Virgin Voyages
Whether you’ve been itching to try Virgin Voyages or you’re already a fan of the line, it’s a great time to book a sailing with this relative industry newcomer. The Richard Branson-affiliated brand, known for its fresh, edgy rockstar-style approach to cruising, is presenting you with 80% off cruise fares for the second passenger in each cabin when staying with a full-fare-paying traveler.
You’ll also earn up to a $400 bar tab per cabin to be used for onboard drink purchases. (The line employs a bar tab concept for drinks, rather than offering alcohol packages. The upside is tabs can be used for all types of drinks, and they can be shared among cruisers.)
Book this bargain by Jan. 29, 2026; it applies to all ships and all voyages departing through 2027. The bar tab offer is only valid on select cabins (Rockstar Suites and Sea Terraces). The bar tab amount earned will be based on sailing length and room type booked.
Additionally, if you book a Caribbean sailing by Jan. 5, 2026, you’ll receive all of the above benefits, plus an extra $300 in onboard credit per cabin, depending on room type.
Windstar Cruises
To kick off 2026, premium brand Windstar Cruises, known for gorgeous sailing ships and a stalwart presence in French Polynesia, has released its Beyond Inclusive Package promotion. When you reserve a cabin, you’ll receive the line’s all-inclusive package, featuring alcohol, Wi-Fi, and crew gratuities. Plus, you’ll score a complimentary pre-cruise hotel night, a cruise port transfer, and up to $1,000 onboard credit per cabin.
With this deal, you can visit destinations like the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Panama Canal and, of course, French Polynesia.
This offer expires March 31, 2026, and applies to select sailings departing through March 2027. Onboard credit amount is based on the length of the voyage booked.
Are Wave Season Cruise Deals Actually Bargains?
What originally lasted only a few weeks eventually expanded to stretch from January through March of each year. Now, Black Friday deals – which begin in early November and bleed into Cyber Monday – tend to stick around as wave season offers, sometimes with only a few minor adjustments. Instead of disappearing at the end of March, some promotions extend repeatedly, lasting until April, May, or even June.
What that means is some of these deals run for more than six months. At that point, they become the norm, rather than something special.
Usually, cruise lines offer added perks – think complimentary Wi-Fi packages, alcohol packages, shore excursion or dining credits, crew gratuities, cabin upgrades, or “kids sail free” promotions – instead of or in addition to actual fare discounts. If you’re considering booking a wave season cruise deal with extras, check the fine print to see what you’ll receive. Often, you’ll be stuck with basic Wi-Fi that doesn’t allow streaming or multiple devices and alcohol packages that only cover certain drink options (unless you’re willing to pay extra for package upgrades).
In instances where percentage discounts are available, it’s not uncommon for lines to increase rack rates before making those discounts public. In other words, you might not be saving much money, if any, if the discount is on an inflated fare. Start tracking prices a few months prior to wave season if you’re planning to book during that time.
Bottom Line
In the New Year, cruise deals abound, potentially making the first few months of each year a great time to book an at-sea vacation. But sales aren’t always what they seem. In order to make sure you’re actually snagging a bargain, you should spend several months researching fares, tracking price drops, and checking the cost for add-ons. That way, you’ll know whether the final wave season price you’re seeing is really a solid value or whether the line has raised fares before discounting them.
Finally, don’t feel pressure to buy immediately. Wave season has gone from a three-month time frame for special offers to what is sometimes a four- to six-month span of deals that cruise lines repeatedly extend. Take your time when evaluating deals before you book to make sure you’re finding cruises that work for both you and your wallet.
If you need help combing through all the promotions and their fine print or tracking cruise prices, reach out to our trusted travel partner. MEI-Travel will be happy to assist at no additional cost to you!
Comments
Do you usually take advantage of cruise wave season sales and promotions? How far in advance do you book your cruises? Drop us an anchor below to share your tips for scoring cruise deals.
The post Cruise Wave Season: What It Is, When It Is, and Why It Could Save You Money appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
