What is Wave Season? Cruise tradition sails into peak journey time

This is when it’s best to seas the chance to go on a cruise.

The American Automobile Association estimates that 20.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this 12 months, a better quantity than initially projected. In 2026, the group tasks a record-setting 12 months with 21.7 million Americans setting sail.

First-time cruisers are an enormous a part of the trade’s progress, with 31% of passengers — together with an growing variety of millennials and Gen Zs — within the final two years being new to cruising, in line with the 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report.

And the trade continues to evolve with vacationers’ pursuits as properly. Expedition and exploration cruises — which supply extra stops to distant areas with extra cultural engagement and consultants who lead excursions — are the fastest-growing segments, with 22% extra passengers selecting these voyages in 2024 over 2023.

If you’re among the many tens of millions of Americans searching for a sojourn out on the open seas, you’ll wish to study “wave season.”

What is wave season?

Wave season rolls in to deliver vacationers the very best offers on cruise adventures throughout the upcoming calendar 12 months.

According to The Points Guy, “wave season” will get its identify from the “wave” of promotions that persuade customers to make a journey “on the waves.”

It’s all about reserving your cruise reasonably than embarking on one, and a lot of the finest offers cruise strains have to supply are reserved for cruises additional away.

The thought is to encourage folks to guide a cruise both for later that very same 12 months, in addition to dates for as distant as two years sooner or later — and you might even be capable to snag a last-minute journey for a deal.

Nearly each main cruise line — together with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity — participates within the promotional interval, which incorporates a number of the best gross sales.

Wave season is the perfect time of 12 months to cost out a possible cruise trip and see what offers or freebies you may get.

When is wave season?

Wave season unofficially begins on January 1 and runs by the top of March.

In line with the ever-closing hole between summer season and the vacation season (Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” is already trending!), the cruise trade has begun selling its summer season and winter offers months upfront.

In current years, it’s common to see cruise strains promote subsequent 12 months’s offers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November and easily proceed them into the brand new 12 months, rebranding them as offers for wave season.

“It’s like a Black Friday, but for cruises!” stated Elena Ollick, a journey company advisor, in a blog put up. “It comes with crazy deals, added perks and the same incredible onboard experience you’d get all year.”

The January by March timeline in itself is an incentive to guide a cruise, for the reason that chilly climate entices folks to fantasize about heat climate.

Plus, individuals are searching for new alternatives within the new 12 months and across the holidays, households are likely to plan holidays once they’re all collectively — so it’s a great time for cruise strains to reap the benefits of that.

What type of promotions are supplied throughout wave season?

Oftentimes, cruise strains will take the direct method and provide reductions or a refund on cruises booked throughout wave season.

These offers can come within the type of discounted and two-for-one fares, lowered deposits, free passes for youths and waived charges for single travelers.

Some firms will maintain pricing the identical however provide freebies and perks that finally add worth to your reserving and might prevent cash in the long run.

Complimentary perks could embody free airfare, pre-cruise in a single day resort keep, onboard credit score for eating and excursions, drink packages, pay as you go specialty eating charges, pay as you go gratuities, free web or complimentary shore excursions or tour credit score.

Lastly, vacationers would possibly discover complimentary cabin upgrades throughout wave season. The buyer would pay the speed for a inexpensive cabin whereas getting to remain in a dearer room.

However, journey specialist Jennifer Greene of MEI Travel told Condé Nast Traveler that the offers have a tendency to alter weekly, so it’s finest to guide early to get the very best pricing and availability.