Our Guide To Cruise Wave Season

• Unbeatable Savings: Discover the cruise industry's version of "Black Friday," offering the most competitive prices and biggest discounts of the year.

• Prime Booking Window: Learn exactly when Wave Season runs (typically January to March) and why it’s the smart time to secure your dream summer itinerary.

• Exclusive Perks: Find out how to bag extra value, from free drinks packages and onboard credit to cabin upgrades and flexible booking terms.

Are you feeling a touch of the holiday blues after all the sparkles and celebrations of the festive season? Well, we’ve got something to add some cheer and give you something to look forward to - say hello to cruise wave season!

Cruise wave season provides the perfect opportunity to turn your dreams of a luxurious cruise holiday visiting stunning destinations into reality. If you’re wondering, ‘What does wave season mean exactly?’, this blog shares everything you need to know.

We’ll answer questions like ‘What is cruise wave season?’, 'When is wave season?’, and ‘What benefits are on offer?’. We’ll also share our top tips to help you make the most of these unbeatable deals.

So, if you need some cheering up in the coming dark winter months, read on to learn all about cruise wave season and start planning your next adventure.

What Is Wave Season?

Wave season is the cruise industry's annual sales event when cruise lines roll out some of their best deals of the year to entice you to book your next holiday. So, why is it called cruise wave season? And, what does wave season mean? Well, it’s a play on language suggesting a tidal wave of amazing deals heading your way! 

If you're looking for your ideal cruise at an outstanding price, then cruise wave season is the perfect time to book. It’s like Black Friday for cruise holidays, but with bigger and better savings that are available for around a couple of months.

During cruise wave season, almost all the leading cruise lines, such as P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and more, compete to offer the most appealing discounts, perks, and incentives.

You'll find cruise itineraries to sunny Mediterranean cities, spectacular Norwegian Fjords and idyllic Caribbean beaches, to name just a few. But it's not just the big cruise lines offering these deals. Many smaller lines offering river cruises, expeditions or high-end holidays also have a cruise wave season.

When And How Long Is Wave Season?

We often get asked, ‘What is the cheapest month to book a cruise?’ And the answer is usually during wave season. So, when is wave season for cruises? 

This fantastic sale period typically runs from January through to around the end of March every year. However, in recent years, a handful of cruise lines have started even earlier. 

While exact dates can vary, the wave period usually provides a generous booking window of around three months. This means you have plenty of opportunities to browse, compare wave season cruise deals and book the perfect holiday without feeling rushed. 

Cruise lines are well aware that this time of year is when people are looking to shake off the winter blues by planning a holiday, and they capitalise on this. However, everyone benefits; cruise lines fill up their ships early, and you get a fantastic deal on your next holiday. It's a win-win. 

It's worth noting that you don't have to travel during wave season, you only need to book your cruise holiday during this period; you'll have a choice of itineraries departing throughout the entire year. In fact, some cruise guests book during wave season for a cruise holiday more than a year in advance!

What Benefits Does Cruise Wave Season Offer?

Why wave season matters is simple; it’s the chance to get much more for your money when booking a cruise holiday. Here are some of the key benefits that make cruise wave season so special:

Significant Discounts

Of course, price is the top incentive during wave season. And with cruise lines often slashing their prices to attract bookings, this time is an incredible opportunity to get your dream holiday for a fraction of the regular cost. 

These discounts come in a variety of different forms. As well as your standard discounted cruise fares, you may see two-for-one offers, family or multiple-party discounts, children sail-for-free offers and reductions on deposit prices.

But it’s not just about the price of the holiday when it comes to wave season cruise deals. There are some other excellent benefits you can get at this time.

Added Perks & Incentives

Beyond discounts, you’ll also find that many deals include tempting extras such as:

• Free onboard credit to spend on excursions, drinks, or shopping

• Cabin upgrades for added luxury without the added cost

• Free WiFi or drinks packages

• Discounts on flights and transfers for international cruises

• Free or discounted port parking or pre-cruise overnight hotel stays

Early Access To Popular Itineraries

Another reason why wave season matters is that you can usually secure your place on popular itineraries that tend to fill up quickly by booking early. Often, these itineraries are the summer Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean escapes, and seasonal sailings (such as Christmas or New Year cruises).

Booking your cruise early during the wave season will help to ensure that you get your desired dates, cabin, and destination.

Flexible Booking Policies

Many cruise lines also offer more flexible cancellation or rebooking policies during cruise wave season, giving you greater peace of mind when you plan your holiday.

Tips For Booking & Making The Most Of Wave Season

If you’re ready to get online in the new year and make the most of wave season, here are some top tips to maximise your savings and find the perfect cruise:

1. Do Your Research Early

Cruise wave season may start in January, but you can start browsing your cruise options now! Create a shortlist of destinations, cruise lines, and preferred dates, and you'll be ready to act quickly when deals are released.

2. Stay Flexible

While cruise wave season does tend to have more options, it still pays to be flexible. Cruise lines may offer specific discounts on certain sailings, travel dates or cabin types, so having a flexible approach will better your chances of finding an exceptional deal.

3. Look Beyond The Holiday Price

Yes, price is a big thing, especially at this time of year. But don’t overlook the additional perks. Free onboard credit, cabin upgrades, or inclusive drinks packages can add significant value to your holiday.

4. Book Early For Popular Cruises

If you're considering a popular cruise itinerary or specific sailing date, don’t wait too long. Wave season deals may last until March, but cabins for peak dates often sell out early.

5. Sign Up For Alerts

Subscribe to newsletters or deal alerts from your preferred cruise lines or travel agencies. This way, you’ll be among the first to hear about wave season cruise deals as they go live.

6. Consult A Cruise Specialist

Working with a cruise specialist can save you time and effort. Get in touch with our team if you'd like help getting the best deal on a cruise that suits your preferences, budget, and schedule.

Cruise wave season is a golden opportunity to make your cruise dreams a reality. So, if you want to secure the cruise holiday of a lifetime at an unbeatable price, start browsing now and get ready to snap up those deals from January. 

If you'd like help with booking a fantastic cruise deal during the wave season, please get in touch with our cruise specialists.