What Is Wave Season?

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Fora Author Fora

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora

  • Cruises

A lone, massive cruise ship sails toward the camera on calm blue waters

Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Wave Season is what you get when the entire cruise industry collectively hosts a variety of offers and discounts to spur travelers to book future cruises. This article covers everything you need to know about Wave Season, including when it occurs, what’s offered and how to get the best deals — all with insights from Fora travel advisors familiar with the cruise industry.



When is Wave Season?

Scarlet Red Party at Virgin Voyages

Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Wave Season unofficially begins every January 1 and typically runs through March. Virtually the entire industry participates in some fashion. Various cruise lines offer promotions ranging from discounts to extra perks like onboard credit or complimentary dining.

“It’s like a Black Friday, but for cruises!” Fora X Advisor Elena Ollick said. “It comes with crazy deals, added perks and the same incredible onboard experience you’d get all year.” 

It’s the best time of year to book cruises

Wave Season is about booking cruises; it’s not necessarily about embarking on them. While you can generally find deals on imminent cruises, the best deals are often reserved for cruises that are months or even years away. 

“I always recommend booking Virgin Voyages during Wave Season because it's often their biggest promotion of the year,” Fora Advisor Denise Cruz, a Gold-Certified First Mate (a.k.a. Virgin Voyages travel agent) said. “It’s the perfect time for anyone who wants the best value on their next cruise. Just make sure to work with an experienced First Mate who knows how to maximize Virgin Voyages offers.”

Why cruise lines offer their best deals during Wave Season

National Geographic Explorer ship in Antarctica, surrounded by floating ice

Cruise lines offer their best deals during Wave Season largely due to the advantageous timing. The holidays have just ended, and the new year (and new opportunities) lie ahead. 

Additionally, people tend to plan trips during family get-togethers around the holidays. November and December see millions of families get together to celebrate different holidays. People talk and plan; vacation ideas start to brew. Wave Season rides the wave of these conversations with timely deals too good to pass on. 

Types of promotions and offers to expect during Wave Season

Deals vary by cruise line, but may include any of the following:

  • Price discounts as steep as 50% off.

  • Waived kids’ fares.

  • Reduced fares for additional guests in the same cabin.

  • Onboard credit that can be used for things like special meals, drinks, spa treatments or experiences.

  • Reduced deposits.

  • Complimentary perks and amenities, such as beverage packages, pre-paid gratuities or free Wi-Fi.

  • Cabin upgrades, perhaps from an interior stateroom to one with an ocean view.

  • Included, discounted flights.

  • Reduced or waived penalties for cancellations or changes.

  • Priority access to exclusive events.

“Many cruise lines are offering robust promotions that include complimentary airfare and significant shipboard credit, and many offer perks you don’t often see throughout the year,” Fora X Advisor Melissa Elliott said. 

Virtually all major cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Virgin Voyages, Disney, etc. — as well as many of the smaller and luxury brands participate in Wave Season. 

Tips for booking a cruise during Wave Season

Elevated view of a Celebrity Cruises ship sailing on calm water

Image courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Here are a few tips for booking a cruise during Wave Season.

Have a travel advisor research cruises and itineraries that interest you

There are dozens of cruise lines and thousands of different itineraries to choose from; sorting through all the options is time-consuming at best. Tell your Fora Advisor the vibe and destination you’re dreaming of, and they’ll take care of the rest. This will save you time before Wave Season’s plethora of deals are unveiled. 

Book early: The best deals are usually offered toward the start of the season

Wave Season helps cruise lines anticipate travel trends. In fact, Wave Season performance is often used as a predictor for how the travel industry at large will perform. It’s no wonder, then, that cruises want to start the season off with a bang. You’ll typically see the best deals in early January.

Weigh the perks and discounts

Sometimes Wave Season deals and perks aren’t relevant to your travel situation. Your Fora Advisor knows the fine print of any deal you might be interested in, as sometimes cruise lines only offer deals for specific bookings. For example, you may only unlock a discount or perk if you book a certain number of nights or a specific cabin tier. 

Get expert help from a Fora Advisor

There are a lot of benefits of booking with a cruise travel agent, such as a Fora travel advisor. For one, an advisor can help you sort through an often overwhelming amount of options — not just between cruise lines, but between the different deals and itineraries, too. Additionally, travel advisors sometimes have access to special offers not typically available to the general public. Or they are made aware of these deals in advance. This is especially helpful if you’re interested in limited premium cabins (like a high-end suite) or experiences. 

An advisor streamlines the booking process for you; they ensure you get your desired accommodations and onboard experiences, handle all the small details — like making sure your cabin isn’t next to a dance floor (unless you prefer that, of course) — and help you plan the best shore excursions. 

“From reduced fares to complimentary onboard credits and cabin upgrades, Wave Season offers are abundant,” Fora X Advisor Amy Lagrow Rogers said. “Yet, navigating the multitude of promotions can be daunting. That’s where a cruise-focused travel advisor becomes invaluable. They simplify the process, helping you choose the perfect cruise line, ship and itinerary while ensuring you meet all the important milestones for a seamless vacation experience.”


Wave Season and related cruise FAQs

Three ships in decreasing size sail along a calm river with greenery on either side

Image courtesy of Viking Cruises

Read on for more information on Wave Season and related topics.

How do you know if you're getting the best deal?

Without expert assistance, it’s hard to say. There are a variety of tools that compare rates, and sometimes perks, between different cruise lines and itineraries. However, reliability and accuracy is a concern. A Fora Advisor can help you sort through different rates, discounts and packages to help you find the best cruise per your preferences and budget.

Should you get cruise insurance?

Since many Wave Season bookings are months or even years away, it may be wise to purchase cruise insurance specifically in case you need to cancel. Not all cruise lines have free cancellation policies and many require specific conditions for full or partial refunds; you could be at risk of losing any payments you’ve made if you’re forced to cancel at a later date. Beyond cancellation, and depending on the policy, cruise insurance can cover things like medical treatment for injuries or illnesses abroad, unplanned cancellations because of weather or other events, lost luggage and missed departures.

Faye, Fora's preferred insurance partner, has somehow managed to make insurance sexy. They are tech-forward, easy to use and refreshingly comprehensive. Most cruise line insurance policies just cover the cruise portion of the trip, but Faye covers everything, including flights, hotel stays and post-cruise activities. You'll get greater flexibility, higher payout limits (which Faye issues in cash), 24/7 support and a sleek user-friendly app to keep track of everything.

Is there a downside to booking during Wave Season?

Not necessarily. The only major downside is that oftentimes during Wave Season, you’re booking cruises months or even a year or two in advance — which, unfortunately, means you have to patiently wait for your getaway. Otherwise, most cruise lines won’t penalize you severely for canceling a cruise if it’s early enough. Full or partial refunds are usually issued if you cancel at least three months before your departure date. You may lose your deposit (usually 5–10% of the total anticipated cost), but you should receive a refund for any other payments you’ve made. That said, each cruise line is different. If you book with a Fora Advisor, they will make you aware of any relevant cancellation conditions prior to your booking.

Where can you find Wave Season deals?

Cruise lines are not shy about promoting their deals on their websites, social media and anywhere else you might see ads, including email newsletters. A Fora Advisor can also share deals that may otherwise not be available.

Are there other times of year when cruise lines offer deals?

An inside far view of the Royal Caribbean cruise.

Certainly, though none are as consistent or lengthy as Wave Season. Sometimes you may see a variety of deals in fall or late spring, usually in an attempt to fill imminent itineraries — and especially around the end of fiscal quarters. You’re also likely to find deals on major holidays, like Black Friday and Memorial Day. And any time a major new ship launches, cruise lines typically offer deals; this applies to competing cruise lines attempting to snag bookings, too.

“The best deals are found as far in advance as possible, meaning if you are thinking about going on a cruise anytime in the next couple years, ‘now’ is the best time to book,” Fora X Advisor Amy Lagrow Rogers explained. “When ‘now’ and Wave Season happen to be at the same time, you have the best chance of getting a great deal.”

More travel inspiration

Check out a few articles on cruise-worthy destinations around the world:

This article has been fact-checked by Fora X Advisor Amy Lagrow Rogers, an expert on cruises.