Wave Season 2026: What Travelers Should Know

Wave Season is the cruise industry’s most important annual booking window. Traditionally running from January through March, it is the period when cruise lines run promotions to encourage early bookings for future sailings. Wave Season 2026 began earlier than expected, with several cruise lines introduced deals months ahead of the traditional start.

While cruise deals are available throughout the year, Wave Season stands out because of its scale. During this period, deals are typically offered across a wider range of itineraries and cabin categories, often emphasizing bundled value such as onboard credit, reduced deposits, or added inclusions rather than simple fare cuts.

This guide is intended for travelers now planning a future cruises, whether booking for the first time or comparing Wave Season deals across multiple cruise lines.

Latest Wave Season News

Wave Season Deals Guide

The table below highlights Wave Season deals currently being promoted by major cruise lines. These offers are part of the Wave Season booking window and are generally available across a wider range of itineraries, although specific inclusions, exclusions, and availability can vary by sailing and cabin category.

(You can sort and search the table to compare Wave Season deals by cruise line or offer type.)

Cruise LineOffer NameStart DateEnd DateFare Savings (UP TO)Onboard Credit (UP TO)Value-add AmenitiesCombinability
AmaWaterwaysTriple Savings01/23/202603/31/2026$2,000 per stateroom$100 per stateroomcomplimentary stateroom upgrade OR complimentary land package (Europe & Colombia) OR complimentary Egypt airfare OR 2-for-1 Mekong land packageAirPlus Rates; Combination Cruise Savings; Loyalty Benefits; Future Cruise Benefit Program
Ambassador Cruise LineSail Away in 2027 OR Treat Yourself02/17/2604/01/202620% off balcony and suite cabins£27 Expedition drinks package including gratuities (selected 2027 sailings)
American Cruise LinesFree Airfare & Savings$1,500 savingsfree airfare (Great Lakes, Ohio River, Upper Mississippi River, Northwest National Parks / Puget Sound itineraries)Eagle Society
Atlas Ocean VoyagesExplorer’s Choice Double Amenities + Bonus Savings01/02/2603/31/202640% bonus savingschoice of two Explorer’s Choice amenities: air credit up to $2,000 per stateroom OR hotel and/or land package (Antarctica expeditions) OR enhanced unlimited Wi-FiAtlas Yacht Club Savings; Military Edge Savings; Sail More Save More; Onboard Savings
Aurora Expeditions35 Year Anniversary Savings12/22/202503/31/202635% offwaived single supplement on select voyagesAurora Loyalty Program; Back-to-Back Voyage Discount
Azamara2026 WAVE Offer12/09/202503/31/2026$1,000 per stateroomAzamara Circle Loyalty Quarterly Savings; Back-to-Back benefits; applicable onboard savings
Carnival Cruise LineBundle & Save: Upgrade Your Fun03/03/202603/09/2026$500 per stateroom25% off select onboard experiences; 50% reduced depositNot combinable with other discount or promotion
Celebrity CruisesWeekend Flash Sale03/06/202603/09/202675% off second guest; $700 per stateroomfree 3rd, 4th, and 5th guestsAll Included; No Perk Rate
Celestyal CruisesBig Savings for a Big Summer12/10/202502/05/202650% off€200 CelestyalPay credit per cabin; free 3rd–4th guests; €200 shore excursion credit per cabin
Crystal CruisesSail & Save12/15/202503/31/2026$5,000 per suite$500 per suiteairfare credit or included air
CunardEnjoy with More02/26/202606/03/2026$300 per stateroomincluded hotel & dining service charges for Grill Suites
Emerald CruisesEurope River Cruise Offers02/02/202603/08/20262-for-1 fares; $1,500 per suitefree airfare when paid in full; free single supplement
Explora JourneysAn Invitation to Explora02/25/202604/01/202630% off10% reduced depositExplora Early Booking Benefit; Extended Journeys or Grand Journeys; Back-to-Back Journeys; JourneyTogether Gathering; Incentive Groups; Journey Together; Journey of One; Sky & Sea Fare; Explora Club Member Benefit; Journeys for the Whole Family; Consortia Amenities; Onboard Future Journeys Savings
Holland America LineStart Your Journey Sale12/18/202503/19/202650% off cruise faresfree kids fares; free balcony upgrade; $99 deposit
MSC CruisesSpring Savings Event02/24/202603/10/202640% off cruiseskids sail freeMSC Voyagers Club; MSC Voyagers Selection; Civil Service; Military; Senior; Interline
Norwegian Cruise LineFree 2nd Guest + Free at Sea03/05/202603/09/2026Free 2nd guest$500 per stateroomUnlimited Open Bar Package; specialty dining; shore excursion credit; free Wi-Fi; free 3rd & 4th guestsLatitude Member Shore Excursion Discount
Oceania CruisesSpring Sale Event03/05/202604/30/202650% offComplimentary Wine & Beer or Shore Excursion Credit; 50% reduced deposits
Paul Gauguin CruisesSweet Tahiti Offer01/06/202604/30/2026$1,000 per bookingChampagne & chocolate treatPG Bonus; PONANT Yacht Club; Join the Club; National Account offers; Canadian resident discount; 0% or 50% single supplement
PONANTSmithsonian Journeys Offer01/06/202603/31/2026$1,000 per stateroomSmithsonian Journeys enrichment PONANT Bonus; PONANT Yacht Club; Join the Club; Onboard Sales incentives; contracted partner amenities
Princess CruisesCruise Countdown Sale03/06/202603/09/2026$600 instant savings$25 deposit; free 3rd and 4th guests
Regent Seven Seas CruisesElevate Your Experience03/01/202603/31/2026free roundtrip business class air; non-use air credit; Blacklane chauffeur credit $500 per suite; ground transfersNon-Refundable Deposits; Onboard Savings; Seven Seas Society Savings
Riviera TravelUp to 50% Off European River Cruises03/01/202605/03/202650% off $1,500 Air & Hotel Credit per booking; drinks included
Royal Caribbean InternationalGo For Bold03/06/202603/09/202660% off second guest; $800 instant savingsfree 3rd & 4th guests; kids sail freepromotional OBCs; Next Cruise offers; instant savings; restricted discounts; promo code driven offers; Free Upgrades; Shareholder Benefits
Scenic Luxury CruisesWave Season Savings02/02/202603/08/20262-for-1 fares; $2,000 per suitefree airfare when paid in full; free single supplement on select departures; complimentary helicopter excursion on select Antarctica voyagesScenic Select Savings; Pay in Full offers; Non-Refundable Savings
SeabournYours to Explore Event03/04/202605/05/2026$1,000 per suitetwo-category veranda suite upgrade
Silversea CruisesLimitless Discovery12/03/202503/16/202640% offreduced deposit from 15%Event Certificates; National Account Amenities; Referral Savings; Onboard Savings; Combination Savings; Kids Savings; Venetian Society Savings; promotional groups
Uniworld Boutique River CruisesThe 50th Anniversary Sale12/19/202503/31/202630% off
VikingSpring Sale03/01/202603/31/2026free airfare; $25 deposit per personViking Explorer Society Travel Credits
Virgin VoyagesWave 202602/27/202603/31/202680% off second sailor$300 Bar Tab per cabinMy Next Virgin Voyage; Resident Rates; Military and First Responders Rates; Pay In Full Offer; Groups and Circle Programs; Loyalty Offer; Cruise Privileges Program; Tour Operators
Windstar CruisesBeyond Inclusive Package03/31/2026$1,000 per guestcomplimentary Beyond Inclusive package; pre-cruise hotel night with transfer; unlimited select beer, cocktails & wine by the glass; Wi‑Fi; gratuities
Cruise LineOffer NameStart DateEnd DateFare Savings (Up To)Onboard Credit (Up To)Value-add AmenitiesCombinability

Wave Season deals change frequently, and terms may be updated as inventory fills. Travelers should review offer details carefully and consider total trip cost, included perks, and flexibility when comparing promotions.

More Wave News

Frequently Asked Questions About Wave Season

What is Wave Season, and why does it matter?
Wave Season is the cruise industry’s main annual booking window, traditionally running from January through March. During this period, cruise lines promote deals, which are time-limited offers designed to encourage early bookings for future sailings.

What kinds of cruise deals are typically offered during Wave Season?
Wave Season deals often focus on added value rather than just lower base fares. Promotions may include onboard credit, reduced deposits, bundled extras like drinks or Wi-Fi, or incentives for additional passengers. These offers are usually tied to specific sailings and booking deadlines.

Are Wave Season deals a good option for families?
They can be. Some Wave Season deals include reduced or free fares for third and fourth passengers, which can offer meaningful savings for families compared with standard cruise pricing.

How are Wave Season deals different from other cruise deals?
Cruise deals can appear at any time of year and may be linked to holidays or short-term sales. Wave Season deals, by contrast, are part of a broader industry-wide booking period and typically emphasize bundled perks rather than short-term price cuts. Our Black Friday cruise deals coverage explains how holiday cruise deals differ from Wave Season promotions.

Do Wave Season deals apply to every sailing?
No. Like most cruise deals, Wave Season deals usually apply only to select itineraries and departure dates. Availability can vary by cruise line, ship, and cabin category.