A Wave of Cruise Popularity

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According to the AAA, 21.7 million U.S. residents will set sail on an ocean cruise during 2026, an increase of 4.5% from 2025. If you want to be among the 21.7 million, we’re in the midst of a wonderful opportunity to make a cruise reservation – Wave Season.

Wave Season is an annual extravaganza of deep cruise discounts and special promotions. This “wave” of tempting cruise deals was originally a way to engage travelers during a typically slow season – January through March – for cruise reservations. Now, cruise fans eagerly await the arrival of Wave Season.

A consultation with your professional travel advisor is your best bet for sorting through Wave Season deals, but here are some things you may want to look for.

Fare discounts. Wave Season brings some of the deepest discounts of the year on cruise fares. Some discounts take the form of a substantially reduced fare; some are buy one, get one free; and some are free fares for the third and fourth occupants of a cabin.

Suite discounts. Some Wave Season discounts make suite accommodations more affordable. Suites are a treat, offering more space, more storage, and bigger views than standard cabins.

Minimal deposits. Cruise lines often reduce their required deposits during Wave Season (we’ve seen them as low as $1 per passenger).

Prepaid gratuities. Gratuities are an important way to show appreciation to the hard-working crew members who make your cruise wonderful, and some Wave Season specials pay your gratuities for you.

Onboard credits. Some Wave Season deals give you a number of onboard credits, which you can use like cash while onboard. How you can use them varies a bit by cruise line, but they can often be used to pay for extras like specialty dining, spa and salon services, beverages, gift shop items, laundry services, Wi-Fi packages and more.

Pre- or post-cruise hotel stays. This is a newer development in cruise extras, and an attractive one. A growing number of passengers arrive in port a day or two before their ship sails and/or stay a day or two after they disembark. This provides an opportunity to experience the port city and helps avoid any issues due to travel delays. To accommodate this trend, some cruise lines now include complimentary hotel stays in their Wave Season specials.

For more advice and expert help riding the crest of Wave Season, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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