The Best 2024 Wave Season Cruise Deals

Image: Cruise ship on the open sea. (Photo Credit: UnSplash)

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Wed December 27, 2023

It’s time to start daydreaming about your next cruise vacation, because wave season is officially here. During this annual promotional period, which typically runs from January through March, many cruise lines offer discounts and extra perks.?

If you’re cruising on a budget or just hoping to save a bit of cash, booking your next cruise during wave season can help you keep more money in your pocket. You can find savings on both river and ocean cruises.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the best wave season deals we’ve spotted so far—we’ll continue updating this list as more cruise lines share their sales.

HX

HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions) is offering up to $2,000 in flight credits to travelers who book expedition cruises between now and March 31. The company is also offering an extra 5 to 10 percent discount for 1893 Ambassador members. During HX’s wave season deal, the initial trip deposit is just 20 percent.

The discounts are valid on cruises scheduled for between March 29, 2024, and March 30, 2025.

Riviera River Cruises

Riviera River Cruises is offering discounts of up to $700 per person on 2024 and 2025 European sailings. Discounts vary depending on the length of the cruise: $400 per person for 8-day cruises and $700 per person for 11- and 15-day trips

The cruise line’s wave season deal also includes incentives for travel advisors: a $100 gift card for every cabin booked.

Riviera River Cruises’ wave season deal runs throughout the month of January.

Scenic?

Luxury cruise line Scenic is offering wave season deals on both river and ocean voyages.?

Guests can save up to $4,250 per suite on 31 river cruise departures in 2024, including sailings in Europe and southeast Asia. Scenic has 13 river cruise vessels.

Travelers can also get up to $13,000 in savings per suite on more than 60 ocean sailings in 2024 and 2025. Scenic has two 228-guest superyachts.

Both wave season offers can be combined with Scenic’s 2-for-1 fares. In addition, free single supplements are available on more than 50 river and ocean itineraries.

Scenic’s wave season offer runs through March 31.

Emerald Cruises

Scenic’s sister line, Emerald Cruises, is offering similar deals this wave season. On river cruises in Europe and southeast Asia, guests can save up to $3,750 per suite on 16 itineraries in 2024. On ocean cruises, guests can save up to $5,000 per suite on sailings in 2024 and 2025. These offers can also be combined with Emerald Cruises’ 2-for-1 fares.

Free single supplements are also available on nearly 40 river and ocean cruises. Emerald Cruises’ wave season offer runs through March 31.

Emerald Cruises, Emerald Luna, European, Europe, river cruises, waterways

Viking

Viking's wave season offer?applies to river, ocean and expedition cruises. Called the "Discover More" sale, the promotion include free or reduced airfare and $25 deposits on voyages in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Travelers who have sailed with Viking in the past can also enjoy a double past guest discount of up to $800. Viking's wave season deal runs through Jan. 31.?

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is offering up to 40 percent off cruise fares on select 2024, 2025 and 2026 voyages. During its wave sale, the cruise line is also offering free room upgrades, plus a deal that allows third and fourth guests to sail for free in the same stateroom as first and second guests.

Princess Cruises’ wave season sale runs now through February 29.

Virgin Voyages

Guests who book a Virgin Voyages cruise can receive 70 percent off a second guest through the line’s wave season promotion. The brand is also offering up to $600 in credits for beverages.

Virgin Voyages’ wave season deal runs through January 31.

Aurora Expeditions

Travelers who book with?Aurora Expeditions?by March 31 can enjoy up to 20 percent off select voyages, plus air credits.

Holland America Line

Guests who book select Holland America Line premium cruise packages can enjoy fare discounts, free stateroom upgrades, free fares for kids and reduced deposits. The offer is valid on cruises scheduled for summer 2024 through spring 2025.?

Holland America Line’s wave season promotion, called “Time of Your Life,” runs through February 29.

Noordam, Holland America Line, Lahaina, cruises to Hawaii, Hawaii Cruises

AmaWaterways

River cruise line AmaWaterways is offering a variety of wave season deals this year, including discounts of up to $4,000 per cabin, free stateroom upgrades and up to $100 in onboard credits. The deals are available on 18 itineraries across 46 departures from July to August 2024.

AmaWaterways’ wave season deal, called the “Summer Triple Savings” offer, runs through March 31.

In addition, solo travelers who book by December 31 can enjoy a waived single supplement on select 2024 sailings in Europe.

Costa Cruises

This wave season,?Costa Cruises?is offering European cruises through 2025 for as low as $299 per person during its "Seas the Day" sale.

Silversea

Guests who book a Silversea cruise during wave season can enjoy discounts of up to $4,000 per suite on select voyages that depart starting January 1. The luxury cruise line is also offering reduced deposits of 15 percent.

Silversea’s wave season deal, called the “$4,000 Reasons to Sail with Silversea” promotion, runs through February 29.

Windstar Cruises

Small ship cruise line Windstar is offering a variety of savings and perks this wave season. Guests can choose between one free pre- or post-cruise hotel night or up to $1,000 onboard credit. Premium Suite guests can also choose a free upgrade to all-inclusive fare, which includes Wi-Fi; unlimited beer, wine and cocktails; and all gratuities.?

Windstar Cruises’ wave season deal, called “Pick Your Perk,” runs through February 29.

Azamara

Guests who book with small-ship cruise line Azamara can save up to $2,000 per cabin on select sailings that depart between April 1 and December 31.

Azamara’s wave season deal runs through March 21.

Azamara, Azamara Journey, Milford Sound, New Zealand

Star Clippers

Star Clippers is offering up to $240 in air credits and up to $400 in onboard credits for?cruises booked by March 31.

Crystal Cruises

Guests who book with Crystal Cruises can enjoy a free suite upgrade on 2024 sailings. In addition, cruisers who take advantage of the deal will also get free garment care and dry-cleaning services.

Crystal Cruises’ wave season promotion, called the “Suite Dreams Upgrade Offer,” runs through January 31.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is offering up to $4,000 in savings per person on its Original Coastal Express, Svalbard Express and North Cape Express itineraries in 2024 and 2025. Travelers must book by March 31 to get the discounts.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways' "Suite Dreams" sales event includes savings of up to $500 per couple on select European cruises in 2024, plus free airfare from select U.S. cities.

MSC Cruises

Travelers who book by Jan. 15 can enjoy a variety of discounts on MSC Cruises itineraries. Families can save up to $1,600 on cruises.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom on select 2024 expedition cruises as part of its “January Savings Event.” To get the discount, travelers must book by Feb. 3. The offer is combinable with the cruise line’s “Second Guest Sails Free” promotion.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering its "Upgrade Your Horizon" promotion?through Feb. 29. Travelers can enjoy discounted fares and deposits, as well as free suite upgrades, on select sailings in 2024 and 2024. Travel advisors can earn a $400 bonus commission and a free cruise.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines is offering savings of up to $1,500 and free domestic airfare on select “Historic Mississippi River Cruises” setting sail this spring. The wave season deal is available for a limited time.

Pearl Seas Cruises

This wave season, Pearl Seas Cruises is offering savings of up to $2,000 and free airfare from the U.S. and Canada on its new 15-night “Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawerence Seaway” cruise departing May 9.

Seabourn

Seabourn's "The Sail of the Year" wave season deal runs through Feb. 29. Travelers who book before that date can save 25 percent off select ocean and expedition voyages and put down a reduced 15 percent deposit. Cruises booked before Jan. 31 are also eligible for up to $1,000 in onboard credits per cabin.

Sea Cloud Cruises

Sea Cloud Cruises is running its "Sail the Wave" promotion through Feb. 29. The company is offering discounts of up to 25 percent off, as well as $500 in onboard credits on Sea Cloud Spirit, its newest and largest vessel. Stateroom upgrades are also available on select sailings.

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