It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Even though the holidays are over, there’s still something to look forward to in the cruise world – Wave Season!
Wave Season is one of the best times to score a great cruise deal. Cruise lines and travel advisors historically book the largest number of cruise cabins during this rich promotional period. Wave Season typically runs for the first few months of a year, with deals coming from all varieties of lines. In a sense, it’s like a ‘Black Friday’ or ‘Cyber Monday’ of cruise deals, although the discount period lasts longer.
It’s when all the cruise lines tout discounted fares or special deals in the hopes of booking up their voyages for the next 12 months. It dovetails nicely with the period in which many couples and families plan their vacations for the year.
If you’ve had your eye on a cruise vacation, wave season is the perfect time to price it out and see what kind of special cruise deal you can snag. You may find a great low price on your next cruise vacation. Or, you may get a slew of freebies that stretch your vacation dollars that much further.
You can find wave season promotions from nearly every major cruise line, including big-ship, small-ship, river and expedition lines, plus deals on sailings around the world, from Alaska to Antarctica and from the eastern Caribbean to the Western Mediterranean.
When is wave season?
Wave season generally starts in January and concludes at the end of March. Just like how Christmas decorations are lately appearing in retail stores earlier than they used to, we’ve seen the big cruise sales starting even earlier over the past several years, too. These days, it’s common for cruise lines to release deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November and keep them active into the following year, when they’re rebranded as wave season deals, perhaps with small tweaks.
Cruise deals and discounts
Some cruise lines take the direct approach and offer you money back on your booking. These cruise deals can take many forms, such as:
- Discounted cruise fares (e.g., 40% off, $500 back, etc.).
- Reduced deposits (e.g., lock in your cruise with just $1 or $25 and pay the remainder 90 days before sailing).
- Two-for-one cruise fares, or get a discounted second fare when you pay full price for the first.
- Third and/or fourth passengers in a cabin sail free or at a discounted rate.
- Kids sail free or at a discount.
Freebies and extra-value perks
Some cruise lines prefer to keep prices higher during wave season but offer certain amenities for free that you would otherwise have to pay. These include perks that add value to your purchase and save you from a higher onboard bill when you finally set sail.
Complimentary booking perks might include:
- Free airfare from select U.S. gateways.
- Pre-cruise overnight hotel stay.
- Onboard credit you can use to pay for specialty dining, shore excursions and more.
- Beverage packages.
- Prepaid specialty dining fees.
- Prepaid gratuities.
- Free internet access.
- Complimentary shore excursions or tour credit.
Cabin upgrades
The last type of offer you can expect to see during wave season is complimentary cabin upgrades. You pay the rate for one type of cabin but get to stay in a “nicer” room that would usually cost more.
Cabin upgrades come in two types:
- Upgrade within a cabin category (e.g., from a cheaper inside cabin to a larger or better located inside cabin).
- Upgrade to the next cabin category (e.g., pay the inside cabin price but stay in an outside or even balcony cabin).
Typically with wave season promotions, these upgrades are essentially a discount on the higher-category room, and you still get to pick the location of the upgraded cabin.
Find a travel advisor
While you might not use a travel advisor for other sorts of trips, you should consider one whenever you cruise. Advisors that specialize in cruise travel often get advance notice of sales. They also typically have access to special rates or perks you won’t be able to find on your own, and they tend to offer their own suite of bonuses as an incentive to book through them.
For example, the right travel advisor could get you several hundred dollars in onboard credit, even with Disney Cruise Line, which is notoriously light on sales and discounts. You can work with a large online travel seller, all of whom have sales representatives you can call for help, or find an individual travel advisor in your area. Ask your friends if they can recommend someone, or locate a cruise-certified advisor on the Cruise Lines International Association website.
Also, note that cruise line deals have all sorts of terms and conditions. A knowledgeable travel advisor will know which itineraries offer the best version of the current deals and can guide you appropriately.
Following are highlights of the 2023 Wave Season deals announced by cruise lines.*
American Queen Voyages
- Promotion Name – ‘Winter Savings’
- Bookings must be made by February 28, 2023.
- On select voyages throughout 2023, guests can receive up to $2,500 off per stateroom. A selection of voyages offers free roundtrip air from many U.S. and Canadian destinations for a limited time, OR a $300 per guest Travel Credit.
Azamara
- Promotion name – ‘Best Offer Yet’
- Bookings must be made by January 31, 2023. Offer valid on select sailings from February 28, 2023 – April 2, 2024.
- Azamara’s deal includes the following:
- Included gratuities, select beverages, and ‘exclusive cultural events’.
- $300 onboard credit.
- 40% off on select sailings.
Celebrity Cruises
- Promotion name – ‘Semi-Annual Sale’.
- Bookings must be made by March 1, 2023.
- The Semi-Annual sale includes some of Celebrity Cruises’ most discounted savings of the year. Discounts are dependent on the length of sailing. Savings include:
- Up to $800 off on onboard spending.
- Up to $800 off per stateroom.
- Up to 75% off a second guest.
Cunard
- Deal name – ‘Treat Yourself, On Us’
- Promotion valid through March 28, 2023. Includes sailings in Alaska, Transatlantic Crossings, the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Canada & New England, Europe, Australia, Asia, Panama Canal, and Grand/World Voyages. Valid for new bookings only.
- The ‘Treat Yourself, On Us’ from Cunard includes:
- Up to 30% off launch fares.
- Up to $2,000 onboard credit per stateroom.
- Drinks package and dining service charges are included for guests choosing to book a Grills Suite.
Holland America Line
- Promotion name – ‘Time of Your Life’.
- Bookings must be made by Feb. 28, 2023. Applicable on select 2023 and 2024 cruises.
- Promotion includes up to 30% off + free balcony upgrade.
- Includes signature beverage package, one-night specialty dining, $100-$300 onshore excursion credit, and Wi-Fi.
- Kids sail free as third and fourth guests (must be staying in the same cabin as two paying adults).
Princess Cruises
- Promotion name – ‘Best Sale Ever’.
- Bookings must be made by March 1, 2023, to take advantage of the promotion.
- The sale includes:
- Up to 35% off cruise fares.
- Up to $150 per guest of onboard credit.
- $100 refundable deposit.
- Guests purchasing Princess Plus or Premier packages receive greater savings:
- Guests purchasing Princess Plus ($60 per person per day) receive: MedallionNet Wi-Fi, Premium desserts (beginning Feb. 20, 2023) and drinks, two Pure Barre, Yoga Six, Stretch Lab fitness classes (beginning Feb. 20, 2023), and crew appreciation.
- Guests who add Princess Premier ($80 per person per day) receive: MedallionNet Wi-Fi for four devices, two nights of premium specialty dining, reserved seating in the Princess Theater, premium desserts (beginning Feb. 20, 2023) and drinks, unlimited smoothies or juices (beginning Feb. 20, 2023), unlimited Pure Barre, Yoga Six, Stretch Lab fitness classes (beginning Feb. 20, 2023), photo package, Princess Prizes (a Princess exclusive), complimentary Medallion accessory, and crew appreciation.
Silversea Cruises
- The booking promotion runs through February 28, 2023.
- Offer is an extension of Silversea’s ‘Port-to-Port All-Inclusive’ fares (available across a selection of ocean voyages/expedition cruises) which includes extra savings of up to 20%.
Virgin Voyages
- Promotion name – ‘Most Inclusive Offer Ever’.
- The booking promotion runs through January 31, 2023. Discounts on sailings through Dec. 2023.
- Guests who book a voyage for one guest will be able to bring a second guest in the same cabin for 60% off the regular fare.
- Both guests receive an included bar tab of either $300 or $600 (depending on voyage length).
- Learn more about Virgin Voyage’s promotion here.
Windstar Cruises
- Promotion name – ‘Seize Your Savings’.
- This deal includes one free pre-or post-cruise Easy Stays hotel night, up to $1,000 of onboard credit, or a free upgrade to an All-Inclusive Fare for Premium Suite guests, featuring Wi-Fi, unlimited drinks, and gratuities.
*subject to change
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