2026 Cruise Wave Season: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Cruise Deals of the Year

If you’ve been thinking about cruising in 2026—or even early 2027—there is no better time to start planning than right now. The 2026 Cruise Wave Season is officially underway, and this is the most aggressive promotional period the cruise industry offers all year.

Wave Season traditionally runs from January through March, when cruise lines release their strongest public offers to encourage early bookings. These deals are designed to fill ships far in advance and often include combinations of discounted fares, reduced deposits, free guests, onboard credit, and valuable onboard perks.

But Wave Season isn’t just about finding “a deal.” It’s about locking in the right cruise—the ship you want, the itinerary you want, and the stateroom you want—before availability tightens and prices climb.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the major Wave Season 2026 promotions by cruise line, explaining who each deal is best for, and helping you understand how to use Wave Season to your advantage.

What Is Cruise Wave Season?

Wave Season is the cruise industry’s version of “prime booking season.” Cruise lines know that travelers are planning ahead after the holidays, so they roll out their best public offers to encourage early commitments.

Typical Wave Season promotions include:

• Percentage-off cruise fares

• Reduced or discounted deposits

• Free third and fourth guests

• Kids sail free offers

• Onboard credit or bar tabs

• Free or discounted cabin upgrades

While these offers can look similar across cruise lines, the fine print—and the actual value—varies significantly. That’s why understanding the structure behind each promotion matters just as much as the headline savings.

Princess Cruises – “Come Aboard Sale”

Princess Cruises launched its Come Aboard Sale in early December, and it remains one of the most well-rounded Wave Season promotions available.

Key highlights include:

• Up to 40% off cruise fares

• Up to $500 in instant savings on longer voyages, particularly for suites and mini-suites

• 50% reduced deposits

• Free third and fourth guests on select sailings

• Coverage across hundreds of destinations on all seven continents

This sale runs through February 16, 2026, making it one of the longer Wave Season booking windows.

Best for: Families, longer itineraries, and travelers planning bucket-list destinations such as Alaska, Europe, or extended voyages.

Holland America Line – “Start Your Journey” Wave Promotion

Holland America’s Start Your Journey promotion focuses heavily on value-added perks rather than just discounted fares.

Wave Season benefits include:

• Up to 30% off cruise fares

• Free balcony upgrades on select sailings

• Kids sail free as third and fourth guests (taxes and fees apply)

• Tiered onboard credit based on cruise length

• Additional Alaska-specific shore experience credits

  
  

The promotion is valid through January 31, 2026 and excludes very short sailings and select long Grand Voyages.

Best for: Alaska travelers, multigenerational families, and guests who enjoy a more classic, refined cruising experience.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Wave Season 2026 Value Offers

Norwegian Cruise Line approaches Wave Season differently than many other cruise lines, but that doesn’t mean travelers miss out on value. Instead of relying on one single “headline” Wave Season sale, Norwegian focuses on high-value bundled offers and seasonal promotions that can deliver significant savings for 2026 and early 2027 sailings.

Free at Sea™ – Norwegian’s Core Wave Season Value

Norwegian’s flagship promotion during the Wave Season booking period is its popular Free at Sea™ offer, available on many 2026 sailings. Rather than advertising a simple percentage-off fare, Free at Sea allows guests to bundle valuable perks into their cruise fare, often creating thousands of dollars in added value.

Depending on the sailing and stateroom category, Free at Sea may include:

• An Unlimited Open Bar Package (gratuities apply)

• Specialty Dining credits

• Shore excursion credits

• Wi-Fi minutes

• Kids Sail Free on select itineraries

For many travelers, this bundled approach offers more real-world value than a basic fare discount—especially for those who plan to enjoy cocktails, specialty dining, or excursions.

Seasonal Fare Reductions and Family Savings

During the Wave Season timeframe, Norwegian also releases seasonal fare reductions and family-friendly offers, including:

• Reduced cruise fares on select 2026 departures

• Third and fourth guests sailing free on qualifying sailings

• Reduced deposits on select itineraries

• Occasional bonus onboard credit opportunities

Because Norwegian pricing is dynamic and capacity-controlled, Wave Season is often the best time to secure preferred cabin locations before availability tightens.

Groups vs. Individual Bookings on Norwegian

Norwegian’s public promotions—including Free at Sea and kids sail free—generally apply to individual, couple, and family bookings, not group contracts. Group pricing follows a different structure, and we evaluate that separately to ensure the best long-term value.

Best for: Couples, families, flexible travelers, and anyone who values bundled perks over headline discounts.

Virgin Voyages – Wave 2026 Promotion

Virgin Voyages launched its Wave 2026 promotion in early December, featuring:

• 80% off the second sailor’s fare, effectively reducing the total cost for double occupancy

• A Bar Tab of up to $400 per cabin, depending on voyage length and cabin category

This promotion is valid through January 29, 2026, and applies to select stateroom categories.

Best for: Adults-only vacations, couples, milestone celebrations, and travelers looking for a modern, no-kids cruising experience.

Carnival Cruise Line – “Great Rates Sale”

Carnival’s Wave-aligned Great Rates Sale offers:

• Up to 40% off cruise fares

• Free room upgrades on select sailings

• Applicable to sailings through April 2026

• Booking window ends January 1, 2026

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, short getaways, and guests who want a lively onboard atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean – Wave Season Promotions

Royal Caribbean’s Wave Season promotions are typically code-specific and sailing-specific. Two major themes dominate their current offers:

• BOGO60, providing 60% off the second guest

• Instant savings plus onboard credit on select sailings

Because Royal Caribbean promotions vary widely by ship and itinerary, careful comparison is essential to ensure you’re getting the best value for your preferred sailing.

Best for: Families, adventure seekers, and travelers who want feature-packed ships and entertainment.

Premium & Luxury Cruise Lines – Big Value Beyond Discounts

Wave Season is also a powerful time to book premium and luxury cruises, where the savings often come in the form of onboard credit, reduced deposits, and inclusive perks.

Azamara

• Up to $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom

• Strong destination-focused itineraries

• Wave Season window runs into late March

Oceania Cruises

• Up to 30% off cruise fares

• 50% reduced deposits

• Choice of shore excursion credits or beverage packages

Silversea Cruises

• Up to 40% savings

• Deposits as low as 15%

• Applies to All-Inclusive Plus fares

Crystal Cruises

• Up to $2,500 off per guest

• $250 onboard credit per guest

• Premium luxury experience with classic service

Why Wave Season Is the Smartest Time to Book

Wave Season is about more than just price. It’s about:

• Better cabin selection

• Lower upfront deposits

• More promotional flexibility

• Locking in popular sailings before they sell out

In many cases, travelers who book early during Wave Season enjoy better outcomes than those who wait for last-minute deals that may never materialize.

Groups vs. Wave Season Deals – What You Need to Know

Public Wave Season promotions typically do not apply to group contracts. Group pricing follows a different structure that may include:

• Held cabin inventory

• Structured deposit schedules

• Group amenities and protections

That said, we are happy to:

• Book Wave Season deals for individual travelers and families

• Evaluate group pricing separately for reunions, celebrations, and organized travel

Ready to Take Advantage of Wave Season 2026?

Wave Season is the best time of year to plan ahead, secure value, and protect your vacation investment. Whether you’re cruising as a couple, with family, or planning something special for the future, we’ll help you navigate the fine print and choose the right cruise for your travel style.

The Cool Panda Travel & Event Coordination

Website: thecoolpanda.com

Email: travel@thecoolpanda.com