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
AmaWaterwaysComplimentary Land Package OR Triple Savings12/31/20253/31/2026$2,000 per stateroom$100 per stateroomComplimentary Land Packag OR 1-category upgrade, Fare Savings & OBCAirPlus, Combination Cruise Savings, Loyalty & FCB
Ambassador Cruise LineLove is in the Air… and So Is Relaxation2/13/20262/16/2026£80 spa per stateroom
American Cruise LinesFree Airfare & Savings up to $1,000$1,000 per stateroomComplimentary airfare
Atlas Ocean VoyagesExplorer’s Choice + Bonus Savings1/2/20263/31/202640% OffChoose 2 amenities (Air Credit; Hotel; WiFi)Yacht Club, Military Edge & Onboard Savings
Aurora Expeditions35 Year Anniversary Savings12/22/20253/31/202635% Offback-to-back or loyalty
AzamaraBiggest Sale of the Year12/9/20253/31/2026$1,000 per stateroomTiered OBC
Carnival Cruise LineBundle & Save2/12/20262/16/2026$500 per stateroomBeverage + WiFi bundle; 50% reduced deposit
Celebrity CruisesValentine’s Day Sale2/13/20262/16/202637.5% Off (BOGO 75% for non-refundable fares OR BOGO 50% for refundable) + up to $700 per stateroomFree 3rd + 4th guests
Celestyal CruisesThe Unmissable Sale12/10/20252/5/202650% Off€500 F&B + $240 Shore Excrusion per Stateroom
Crystal CruisesCaribbean Included Air + Sail & Save12/15/20253/31/2026$5,000 per suite$2,000 OBC OR $3,000 Air Credit per stateroom$3,000 Air Credit OR $2,000 OBC per stateroom
CunardPresidents’ Day Sale OR Treat Yourself, On Us2/12/20262/25/202635% Off$600 per stateroom$19 pp/day Gratuities
Emerald CruisesExplore the Extraordinary2/2/20263/8/202650% (2-for-1) Fares + $2,000 per suiteFree Air
Explora JourneysA Suite Invitation1/29/20262/25/202630% Off1-category suite upgrade; 10% deposit
Holland America LineStart Your Journey12/18/20252/26/202630% Off$500 per stateroomBalcony upgrade; free kids; 50% deposit
MSC CruisesPresidents’ Day Sale2/10/20262/16/202640% Off$750 per stateroomKids Sail Free
Norwegian Cruise LinePresidents’ Day Sale2/12/20262/16/202650% Off$1,000 per stateroom
Oceania CruisesPresidents’ Day Sale2/4/20263/4/202640% Off50% reduced deposit; 2-category upgrade; choice of beverage pakcage OR $1,200 shore excursion credit
Paul Gauguin CruisesSweet Tahiti Savings1/6/20262/28/2026$1,000 per stateroomChampagne & chocolate welcome
PONANT$1,000 Shipboard Credit (Smithsonian Journeys)1/6/20263/31/2026$1,000 per stateroomYacht Club
Princess CruisesCome Aboard Sale12/9/20252/16/202640% Off + $1,000 Instant SavingsFree 3rd & 4th; 50% deposit
Regent Seven Seas CruisesUpgrade Your Horizon1/1/20262/28/202625% Off$500 per suite2-category upgradeSeven Seas Society
Riviera TravelYour River Your Way12/5/20252/28/202650% Off$500 air credit; free hotel
Royal Caribbean InternationalPresidents’ Day Sale2/3/20263/2/202630% Off (BOGO 60%)Kids Sail Free; Free 3rd/4thKids Sail Free, Free 3rd & 4th, Royal Rush, Loyalty
Scenic Luxury CruisesStories For Life2/2/20263/8/202650% Off (2-for-1) Fares + Up to $4,000 per suiteFree Air
SeabournExplore More Event + Weekend Sail12/3/20252/17/202615% Off$1,000 per suite$500 Air Credit per suite; 15% deposit
Silversea CruisesLimitless Discovery12/3/20252/28/202640% OffLoyalty
Uniworld Boutique River CruisesThe 50th Anniversary Sale12/19/20252/28/202630% Off
VikingThe Viking Savings Event2/1/20262/28/202635% OffFree or Reduced Airfare; $25 Deposit
Virgin Voyages80% Off Second Sailor + Sailor Loot1/30/20262/26/202640% Off (BOGO 80%)$300 General + $350 Beverage per statreoomLoyalty
Windstar CruisesComplimentary Beyond Inclusive Package3/31/2026$1,000 per guestHotel + all-inclusive perks
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.