Labor Day Cruise Deals 2025: Best Sales, Discounts, and Booking Tips
Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for cruise sales. Nearly every major line runs limited-time offers around this time, giving you the chance to lock in discounts on voyages ranging from short Caribbean getaways to longer premium sailings. Knowing how to navigate these promotions is key to getting the best value.
It’s always smart to work with a travel advisor. And in many cases, they may have additional perks from their agency to make your deal-hunt even sweeter.
How to book smart during Labor Day sales
- Move quickly: Most Labor Day cruise deals expire by September 1–3. Cabins and popular itineraries can sell out fast, so waiting until after the holiday may mean paying more for fewer options. But, don’t stress and move mountains if it’s not a fit. Labor Day deals tend to be more restrictive than some offered in the year-end retail holidays.
- Look beyond the headline discount: While many offers advertise 40 or 50 percent off, the real value often comes from the extras. Onboard credit, room upgrades, reduced deposits, and bundled perks like Wi-Fi, drinks, and dining can add hundreds of dollars in savings.
- Families can save the most: Several lines, including Royal Caribbean, MSC, Princess, and Celebrity, are offering free or discounted fares for third and fourth guests. On a week-long Caribbean sailing, this can translate into savings of more than $1,500 for a family of four.
- Check eligibility dates: Not every sailing qualifies. Free kids fares, for example, are usually limited to shoulder-season departures, while holiday sailings and peak summer dates are often excluded. Always check the terms before booking.
Cruise lines with Labor Day deals
This year, many of the major ocean cruise lines are running specific Labor Day offers. These expire in early September and include fare discounts, onboard credit, and free-guest promotions.
(On mobile devices and tablets, rotate your screen 900 to best view the following table.)
| Cruise Line | Offer | Room Upgrade | Additional Inclusions | Book-by Date | Potential Offer Value for 2 | Potential Value for Family of 4 |
| Carnival | 25% off select onboard amenities + up to $400 OBC | Free location upgrades (select sailings) | 2 Sept. | ~$600 | ~$600 to $800 | |
| Celebrity | 75% off 2nd guest + up to $500 savings | Free extra guests on select sailings | 1 Sept. | ~$1,850 | ~$5,450 | |
| Cunard | Fares from $999 + $25 to $200 OBC | 3 Sept. | ~$400 | |||
| Holland America | Up to 45% off + up to $400 OBC | $99 reduced deposit | 8 Sept. | ~$2,020 | ||
| Margaritaville | 80% off 2nd/3rd/4th passengers | Free stateroom selection | 8 Sept. | ~$240 | ||
| MSC (USA) | Up to 40% off fares | Kids Sail Free | 1 Sept. | ~$960 | ~$2,560 | |
| Oceania | Up to 50% off select sailings | Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities included | 16 Sept. | ~$4,000 to ~$6,000 | ||
| NCL | Up to 50% off all cruises | Kids sail Free | More At Sea bundle: open bar, dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, airfare | 3 Sept. | ~$1,500 to $2,000 | ~$3,220 |
| Princess | Up to 40% off + $400 instant savings | Free 3rd/4th guests | 1 Sept. | ~$1,600 | ~$3,100 | |
| Royal Caribbean | 40% off beverage packages + up to $900 instant savings | $25 to $50 OBC | 3 Sept. | ~$1,620 | ~$3,220 | |
| Viking | Reduced deposits + free airfare + perks (varies by sailing) | Free airfare, beverage packages, gratuities, and Reduced $25 deposits (select sailings) | 3 Sept. | Value tied to airfare; ~$1,000–$2,000 |
Other Offers
Some cruise lines are running general seasonal sales that overlap with the Labor Day period but are not marketed specifically for the holiday. These often extend into late September or beyond.
| Cruise Line | Offer | Additional Inclusions | Book-by Date |
| Azamara | Up to $750 OBC per cabin | Destination immersions | 30 Sept. |
| Hurtigruten | Up to $3,000 off on 2025 cruises | Expedition gear (parkas, boots) always included | 2 Sept. |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Up to $2,000 air credits on select 2026 Europe | 15 Sept. | |
| Seabourn | Up to 15% off select cruises | Two-category veranda upgrade (select sailings) and up to $2,000 OBC per suite (select promos) | 23 Sept. |
| Virgin Voyages | 70% off 2nd Sailor + $50 to $500 instant savings | Bar Tab drinks credit ($50 to $100) | 30 Oct. |
Closing the Deal
Labor Day has become a major milestone on the cruise deal calendar, offering you a short window to secure meaningful savings. Families often get the biggest win with free-guest offers, while couples can benefit from bundled packages that include Wi-Fi, drinks, and dining. Even smaller-value promotions from short-break lines can make a quick escape more affordable.
And the deal seasons don’t end here. Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, followed by Wave Season in January (it gets earlier and earlier every year), will bring fresh opportunities to book at reduced rates and with added perks. Together, these three sales periods give you multiple chances each year to lock in better prices and more value for your vacation dollar.
