The cruise industry's biggest sale window. Use this one-page reference to know when to book, what perks actually mean, and what each line typically pushes — then compare live fares on the deals page.
Wave season runs January through March. Promos stack and change weekly — this is the typical rhythm.
Lines announce wave promos. Good time to scout — not always the deepest discounts yet.
Best combo of promo depth + cabin selection. Book summer & holiday sailings here.
Flash extensions and "final days" messaging. Still strong, but peak cabins may be gone.
Base fares often climb for peak season. Shoulder & last-minute deals replace wave bundles.
Wave promos love acronyms. Here's how to compare apples to apples (typical retail value ranges, not a specific offer).
Worth: face value
Spend on spa, specialty dining, excursions, or shipboard purchases. $50–$500 per cabin is common during wave — always check if it's per cabin or per person.
Best if you already plan excursions or specialty restaurants.
Worth: ~$50–$90/day per adult
Covers beer, wine, cocktails up to a price cap. Great for drinkers; overkill if you have one glass with dinner.
Both adults usually must buy it when it's "free" — do the math for light drinkers.
Worth: cash-flow, not a discount
Hold a cabin for $100–$250 per person instead of full deposit. Lets you lock a fare and watch for price drops before final payment.
Pair with a travel agent who reprices when fares fall.
Worth: $15–$25/day (Wi-Fi) or $40–$60/meal (specialty)
Bundled perks raise the fare but cut onboard spending. Celebrity's "Always Included" model bundles drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips into the base fare year-round.
Compare total trip cost, not headline fare alone.
Patterns from past wave seasons — actual promos change weekly. No dollar amounts here because they rotate.
Often bundles fare discounts with OBC. Newer ships (Icon, Star) see fewer deep cuts; older Oasis-class sailings get aggressive pricing.
Premium positioning — wave promos often upgrade the included bundle rather than slash base fares. Strong for couples and foodies.
Pick-your-perks model — more perks selected = higher fare. During wave, lines often include more perks at the same tier.
Adults-only, all restaurants included in base fare. Wave deals tend toward bar tabs and fare sales rather than drink packages.
I track promos across every major line daily. Tell me your dates and I'll find the best fare + perk combo — free, no markup.
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