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Thursday,  January 15, 2026   10:38 PM
Wave Season roundup: The best 2026 cruise deals
Wave Season is in full swing. (Shutterstock/Zigres)

Wave Season has officially set sail – the time of year when cruise lines roll out the best deals.

From discounted fares to onboard credits, stateroom upgrades, and savings on land packages, the offers are pouring in.

Keeping track of it all can feel like navigating choppy waters, but PAX has your map.

Here’s our roundup of the latest Wave Season offers making waves so far—bookmark this page for updates!


Aurora Expeditions

More of a milestone celebration than a typical “Wave Season” promo, Aurora’s 35th anniversary sale runs through March 31, 2026 (or while supplies last), with savings of up to 35% on select 2026 and 2027 expeditions.

Voyages are available in Antarctica, the Arctic, Indonesia, the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

Click here for more.

Azamara

Azamara is offering up to $1,000 in onboard credit on more than 200 2026 and 2027 voyages, including the line’s first fall Asia season and return to Alaska in spring 2026. See more here.

Celebrity 

From sun-soaked Caribbean escapes to European charm, wild Alaska adventures and beyond, some standout deals are stealing the spotlight at Celebrity. 

For a limited time, get 75% off your second guest’s fare and get up to $600 onboard credit per room.

Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings. Plus, per stateroom onboard credit bonuses. 

Click here for more.

The Celebrity Pool Club on Celebrity Xcel (Pax Global Media)

Celestyal

Celestyal is offering up to 50 per cent off cruise fares on 226 sailings departing between from now through to October 2027.

Select sailings also include up to €500 (approximately $581 USD) in CelestyalPay credit for specialty dining and bar beverages, and up to €200 (approximately $232.50 USD) in shore excursion credit on 186 sailings.

Arabian Gulf itineraries include 42 departures of the seven-night "Desert Days" sailing roundtrip from Dubai or Doha aboard Celestyal Journey, and 67 departures each of the new three- and four-night "Iconic Arabia" sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi aboard Celestyal Discovery.

Celestyal Discovery. (Celestyal)

Wave Season prices start at $359 per person for three nights.

Greek and Mediterranean offerings include 45 departures of the three- and four-night "Iconic Greek Island" cruise sailing round-trip from Athens aboard Celestyal Discovery, with prices starting at $499 per person.

Also included are 16 departures each of the seven-night "Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia" cruise and the "Idyllic Greece" cruise, both sailing roundtrip from Athens aboard Celestyal Journey, with prices starting at $939 per person

The promo is available to book through to Feb. 5, 2026, while availability lasts.

Cunard

As Wave Season begins, Cunard is encouraging guests to indulge, offering up to $600 in onboard credit on sailings aboard all four Queen ships.

Available on select 2026 and 2027 voyages (April 2026 through December 2027 and clients booking Cunard’s Grill Suites enjoy added perks like a Drinks Package and included Hotel & Dining Service Charges.

Book by Feb. 25 to receive credit. Eligible itineraries include Queen Mary 2’s America’s 250th Independence Day Crossing (July 3), a dedicated wellness voyage on Queen Anne (July 5), Italy & Adriatic Solar Eclipse Sailing (Aug. 24) and The Literature Festival at Sea (Nov. 28).

Queen Mary in New York. (Cunard)

Emerald 

Available through Feb. 1, 2026, Emerald’s offer includes up to 30% off per suite, 2-for-1 fares, up to $300 per person in nonrefundable savings with code NONREF when full payment is made within 48 hours, and a complimentary Flexible Booking Plan.

The promotion applies to select river and yacht departures in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys’ “Suite Invitation” is a limited-time Wave offer. 

Available for bookings made from January 5 until Jan. 28, 2026, the offer includes up to 30% savings, a reduced deposit of 10% and, for select suites, a complimentary one-category suite upgrade.

The Suite Invitation is combinable with several key benefits including Explora Club Member Benefits and Sky & Sea Fare. Terms and conditions apply.

Poolside on the EXPLORA I. (Pax Global Media/file photo)

Holland America Line

Holland America Line’s Start Your Journey promotion delivers savings of up to 30% on more than 500 sailings in 2026 and 2027, plus a suite of added perks. 

Offers include free balcony upgrades, onboard and shore excursion credits, and free fares for kids under 18 when traveling as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom.

Guests who book by January 31, 2026 can also earn onboard credit based on voyage length: $100 per person on six- to nine-day cruises, $150 per person on Alaska cruise/tours and sailings of 10–20 days, $200 per person on voyages of 21 days or longer, and $250 per person on Legendary Voyages.

In addition, passengers who reserve a 2026 Alaska cruise or cruise/tour by January 31, 2026, will receive up to $200 in shore excursion credits per stateroom when booking with promo code #1ALASKA26.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is stepping up its commitment to trade partners this Wave season by introducing a new Monthly Exclusive Offer with 50% off for trade only.

This is in addition to its Wave offerings of up to 30% off sailings for clients and the return of the popular travel advisor-focused ‘Sell Three, Sail Free’ promotion.

Hurtigruten’s Wave offers, with up to 30% off select departures throughout 2026, are bookable until March 1, 2026. Sailings include the cruise line’s two concepts: Original and Signature.

MS Trollfjord. (Hurtigruten)

All eligible departures, discounts, and terms and conditions are available here.

The new 50% off Monthly Exclusive Offers will be updated at the start of each month on Hurtigruten’s new promotional page. The booking window is until the last day of that month.

Hurtigruten’s ‘Sell 3, Sail Free’ promotion is where travel advisors who sell three cabins before March 1, 2026, for sailings on or before December 31, 2026, earn a free cruise to enjoy themselves before December 31, 2026.

The offers are also available on the company’s travel advisory portal here

HX

Through March 23, 2026, HX Expeditions has savings of up to $4,000 on select expedition voyages to destinations including Antarctica, Greenland, Norway, the Galapagos, Alaska, Svalbard, the Northwest Passage, and Arctic Canada.

First-time HX Expeditions guests will also receive $250 per person in onboard credit.

HX's MS Santa Cruz II in the Galapagos Islands. (Pax Global Media/file photo)

As part of the offer, new-to-HX travellers booking Galapagos or Norway sailings can get an additional $250 discount.

Eligible departures sail between December 23, 2025, and March 31, 2028. The promo may be combined with Silver, Gold, and Platinum HX Explorers member discounts, but group bookings are excluded.

Margaritaville at Sea

Valid through Jan. 31, 2026, Margaritaville at Sea has limited-time offers that include savings of up to 60% on fares, complimentary third and fourth guests on select sailings, free stateroom upgrades on eligible dates, up to $800 in onboard credit, and discounts of up to 40% on pre-purchased packages.

The deals apply to voyages aboard Islander and Paradise, as well as advance bookings for the new Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, set to debut in 2027. See more here.

MSC 

Through January 15, 2026, MSC Cruises is featuring sailings starting at $199, with up to $500 in onboard credit and free fares for kids on select cruises. For January 7–9 only, fares drop to as low as $159, and kids still sail free.

More info here.

 MSC World America. (Pax Global Media)

Oceania

Oceania Cruises is featuring savings of up to 30% on voyages across its entire eight-ship fleet, along with a choice between double shore excursion credit or unlimited beverages.

The offer also comes with a reduced deposit of 50% and is valid on reservations made through March 4, 2026. Click here for more

Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin Cruises is setting the mood this Wave Season with a $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom or suite, paired with a bottle of Champagne and a chocolate treat.

Open to bookings made between now and February 28, 2026, the promotion applies to all 2026 sailings on the m/s Paul Gauguin.

m/s Paul Gauguin. (Paul Gauguin Cruises)

Travellers can choose from any of The Gauguin’s all-inclusive, luxury itineraries to the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, and South Pacific, which range from seven to 14 nights. 

Travel advisors will also receive up to $500 for every newly-deposited booking they secure.

Ponant 

Travellers are invited to explore the world more deeply with PONANT EXPLORATIONS and Smithsonian Journeys, offering—for the first time ever—$1,000 in shipboard credit per stateroom or suite on all 2026 alliance voyages.

The offer includes more than 30 sailings around the world. Available on bookings made now through March 31, 2026, each applicable voyage welcomes two Smithsonian Journeys Experts who will offer an insider’s view into each destination through a series of onboard lectures and discussions.

The added value of $1,000 shipboard credit will allow guests to easily elevate their experience, such as by booking spa treatments, indulging in premium beverages, and onboard boutique shopping.

Travel advisors will receive up to $500 for every newly deposited booking they secure.

Princess

From now through Feb. 16, 2026, Princess has a “Come Aboard Sale,” featuring savings of up to 40% on cruise fares plus up to $500 in instant savings per stateroom— with higher discounts on longer sailings.

The promotion also includes 50% reduced deposits and complimentary third and fourth guests on select voyages. The sale applies to sailings across the entire Princess fleet.

Poolside on Sun Princess. (Pax Global Media/file photo

Quark Expeditions

During Wave Season, Quark Expeditions is giving travel advisors a chance to win one of six spots on an Arctic 2026 voyage. Open to advisors across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, the sweepstakes awards one advisor per region a spot on the 14-day South Greenland Adventure, sailing August 29–September 11, 2026.

Advisors must register in advance. Click here for more info.

Quark's Ultramarine ship. (Pax Global Media/file photo)

Regent

This Wave Season, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has its “Upgrade Your Horizon” promotion.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary two-category suite upgrade—up to a Penthouse—and 50% reduced deposits on voyages to all destinations through April 2028. Certain 2026 sailings also come with a $500 shipboard credit.

This offer is valid for new bookings made through February 28, 2026, on select 2026 and later departures.

Click here for more.

Regent Seven Seas Splendor, (Pax Global Media)

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises is kicking off the 2026 Wave Season with an onboard credit offer. 

Guests who book their 2026 or 2027 sailing by February 28 will receive €150 per person in onboard credit, which can be used to purchase spa services, beverages from the exclusive connoisseur list, or be put toward a Vintage Room dining experience. Interested travellers should use code WAVE26 when booking. 

Scenic

Through February 1, 2026, Scenic is offering up to 30% savings per suite, 2-for-1 fares, and up to $500 per person in nonrefundable savings with code NONREF when full payment is made within 48 hours of booking.

Guests also receive a complimentary Flexible Booking Plan. This offer applies to select river and yacht departures in 2026, 2027, and 2028. More here.

Seabourn

Seabourn’s “Explore More Event” is now live, offering up to 15% savings and up to $1,000 in shipboard credit on most worldwide voyages from 2026 through 2028.

The promo is available through February 17, 2026.

Silversea

Through February 28, 2026, Silversea is offering up to 40% savings on over 800 voyages spanning all seven continents.

Savings vary by suite category, and guests booking the All-Inclusive Plus fare can also take advantage of reduced deposits starting at 15%. More info here.

Swan Hellenic

Through Feb. 28, 2026, Swan Hellenic is offering up to $1,500 in savings per guest, plus up to $500 in onboard credit and free Wi-Fi upgrades on 2026–2027 worldwide cruises (March 5, 2026 – October 28, 2027).

SH Minerva. (Swan Hellenic)

Groups of eight or more receive additional credits and bonus amenity points for customizable experiences.

Travel advisors also earn up to $500 in bonus commission per booking, with enhanced commission on group bookings of eight or more. Click here for more.

Trafalgar River Cruises

Through February 27, 2026, Trafalgar is offering a $250 per person credit on air-inclusive 2026 river bookings. Select 2027 river departures also include a complimentary cabin upgrade from Classic to Deluxe C.

Guests can enjoy a free two-night Prague extension on the Best of the Danube itinerary, and 50% off the two-night Lucerne extension on the Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam.

The offer is valid for travel now through December 31, 2026. More here.

Uniworld

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Wave season with savings of up to 30% on select 2026 sailings when booked through Feb. 28, 2026. More here.

S.S. Elisabeth. (Uniworld)

Viking

Through January 31, Viking is offering up to 35% off cruises, up to free international airfare, and a $25 deposit on all itineraries.

This promotion applies to river, ocean, and expedition voyages. See more here.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages' Wave offer is currently 80% off second Sailor plus up to $400 in Bar Tab. It runs through the January 29, 2026. 

The adults-only cruise line also has a January Promotional Sailor Loot Offer, providing up to $300 in extra onboard credit on select Alaska sailings in 2026 and 2027 aboard Brilliant Lady.

The promo follows the same overall format as recent onboard credit offers, but it is focused specifically on Alaska itineraries, with scenic cruising days and ports across Alaska and Canada. The booking window is January 6, 2026 – January 15, 2026.

Brilliant Lady. (Virgin Voyages)

The amount depends on the cabin category booked and applies to new bookings only.

  • $300 Promotional Sailor Loot per cabin for Rockstar Suite Meta cabins
  • $50 Promotional Sailor Loot per cabin for Sea Terrace Meta cabins

This onboard credit can be used across the ship, including drinks, dining upgrades, spa treatments, Shore Things, and laundry. 

Windstar

Windstar Cruises has a Wave promo that applies to bookings made from now through to March 31, 2026, on select voyages departing through March 31, 2027.

The "Beyond Inclusive" offer includes a complimentary all-inclusive upgrade (select complimentary drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities; value up to $99 per guest per night), a free pre-cruise hotel night where available, hotel-to-yacht transfer and up to $1,000 onboard credit per guest.

The offer applies to Windstar's popular itineraries across multiple regions.


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