This is your sign to make a splash this year. Here is why Wave Season is the smartest time to make that happen with a travel advisor.
Wave Season has arrived once again—a shimmering tide in the travel calendar when cruise deals crest and savvy travelers ride them straight into unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re planning your first voyage or your fifteenth, this moment between January and March has become synonymous with value, choice, and inspiration.
What Exactly Is Wave Season?
Think of Wave Season as the cruise industry’s biggest booking extravaganza. Each year, major cruise lines across the globe roll out their most compelling offers during this 12-week period. On the surface, it’s all about deals and discounts—but beneath the surface it’s about choice and strategy.
For travelers, Wave Season isn’t just a sales event. It’s the smartest time to set your course, secure premium cabins, and enjoy perks that might not be offered again. Travel advisors often call it the moment where timing meets opportunity—and those who understand it reap the best rewards. Plan your trip with Montecito Village Travel today.
2026 Wave Season Offers
Here’s a snapshot of what’s up for grabs in Wave Season 2026—from thrilling ocean voyages to river cruises and expedition adventures:
Regent Seven Seas Cruises — Upgrade Your Horizon
• Free 2-category suite upgrade (e.g., from Concierge to Vista)
• 50% reduced deposits
• $500 shipboard credit per suite on select 2026 voyages
📅 Book by: February 28, 2026
Silversea Cruises — Limitless Discovery
• Up to 40% off a wide range of luxury voyages
• Reduced deposits from just 15%
• Applies across 800+ sailings worldwide
📅 Book by: February 28, 2026
Seabourn — Explore More Event
• Up to 15% savings on most voyages
• Up to $1,000 onboard credit per suite
📅 Book by: February 17, 2026
Celebrity Cruises – Nothing Comes Close
- Up to 75% off the second guest’s fare
- Savings and onboard credit options
- 3rd, 4th, and 5th guests may sail free on select sailings.
📅 This promotion continues through at least April 7, 2026 — and the offers apply on qualifying cruises departing through May 10, 2028
Princess Cruises — Come Aboard Sale
• Up to 40% off cruise fares
• Up to $500 instant savings per cabin
• 50% reduced deposits
• 3rd & 4th guests sail free on select sailings
📅 Book by: February 16, 2026
Virgin Voyages
- Up to 80% off for that second sailor
- Free drinks packages included
- Limited-time offers through late January.
- 📅 Book-by: January 29, 2026 — this limited-time offer was published with a deadline in late January. It applies to voyages open for sale between Dec 5, 2025 and Jan 29, 2026
AmaWaterways
- Complimentary land extensions and free air offers on select river cruise packages
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Up to four extra nights pre or post cruise on select 2026 and 2027 departures in Europe and Colombia
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📅 Book by: March 31, 2026
PONANT EXPLORATIONS
- $1,000 shipboard credit per stateroom on immersive voyages with expert insights
- Sail into remote regions with added luxury amenities.
- 📅 Book by March 31, 2026
Explora Journeys
- Up to 30% savings
- Reduced deposits and complimentary suite upgrades
📅 Book by January 28, 2026
Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Up to 40% bonus savings
- Plus choose any of the two following amenities:
- Air Credit Savings – Receive up to $1,500 per stateroom to apply toward airfare.
- Hotel Package – Extend your adventure with a 1-night pre-expedition stay
- Enhanced Unlimited WiFi – Stay connected with premium internet access for two devices throughout your voyage.
- 📅 Book by March 31, 2026
MSC Cruises
• Cruises from as low as $199 per person
• Up to $500 onboard credit
• Kids (≤17) sail free as 3rd/4th guests (on select sailings)
📅 Book by: January 28, 2026
Royal Caribbean
• Up to $1,000 off fares (depending on cabin)
• 3rd & 4th guests sail free on select sailings
• Up to 40% off onboard extras like drink packages, internet & excursions
📅 Book by: February 2, 2026
Viking Cruises — Wave Deals across Ocean, River & Expedition
• Up to 35% off fares
• Free international airfare available
• Reduced deposits (as low as $25)
📅 Book by: January 31, 2026
River, Boutique & Expedition Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
• Up to **30% off select river itineraries
📅 Book by: February 26, 2026
Scenic & Emerald Cruises
• Up to 40% off river voyages
• 2-for-1 fares on select departures
📅 Book by: February 1 / 16, 2026 (varies by brand)
HX Expeditions
• Savings up to $4,000 per person on expedition voyages
• $250 onboard credit per person
📅 Book by: March 23, 2026
Unique & Sailing Cruise Offers
Paul Gauguin Cruises — Take Your Sweetie to Tahiti
- $1,000 shipboard credit per cabin
- In-room champagne & chocolate treat on select sailings
📅 Book by February 28, 2026
Windstar Cruises — Beyond Inclusive
- Free all-inclusive upgrade
- Pre-cruise hotel night + transfer
- Up to $1,000 onboard credit
📅 Book by: March 31, 2026
Star Clippers
• Up to $500 in air credit per cabin (depending on cruise length)
📅 Book by: February 28, 2026
Why Wave Season Matters
Cruise lines bank on the first quarter of the year to fill sailings months—or even years—ahead. That’s why we see peak pricing and perks now: early commitments boost itineraries and give travelers a bigger cabin selection and better value overall.
Industry insiders sometimes compare Wave Season to Black Friday for cruises: offers can be stacked with loyalty benefits, agency perks, and destination bonuses, making it one of the most rewarding times to book travel.
Tips for Booking During Wave Season
💡 Start with your must-haves
Do you want a balcony? A specific itinerary? A certain cruise line? Know your priorities before deals launch.
💡 Use a travel advisor
Exclusive perks like free air credits or co-branded offers are often best accessed through advisors who know how to navigate Wave Season.
💡 Plan early
Work with your travel advisor as soon as possible so they can really make the most of your time. Starting early gives you and your travel advisor access to the more inventory and upgrades.
Chart a Course for Adventure in 2026
Whether your heart is set on the sun-soaked Caribbean, the dramatic fjords of Scandinavia, historic rivers of Europe, or the wild expanses of polar seas, Wave Season 2026 is your moment to claim more value, choice, and unforgettable travel experiences. It’s not just booking a cruise—it’s planning the journey of your dreams.
Why Book Through Montecito Village Travel
Booking with Montecito Village Travel or Your Travel Center ensures every detail is curated for you, from the perfect suite selection to exclusive added-value offers and personalized travel arrangements.
Our advisors are experts in luxury cruising and understand how to match travelers with experiences that align with their passions: gastronomy, or pure exploration.
