The Best Wave Season Cruise Deals of 2025

DGIX

February 17, 2025

Just last month, I found myself in Antarctica waking up to stunning glacier views while I enjoyed my morning coffee. My afternoons were filled with kayaking with humpback whales, zipping around in a zodiac raft to spot leopard seals, snowshoeing around glistening bays, and watching penguins slide down the soft snow on their bellies. These surreal adventures were possible thanks to a cruise to Antarctica with Hurtigruten Expeditions. And that’s not the only once-in-a-lifetime destination I’ve been able to visit thanks to a cruise vacation. From Bora Bora to the Nile River to crystal clear Caribbean waters, cruising has offered me an unbeatable way to see the world.

Best Cruise Deals to Book Now

HX: Highlights of Antarctica, (save up to $4,000)
Holland America: 7-day Alaska Explorer, (kids sail free, balcony room upgrades, free premium perks)
Celebrity Cruises: St. Maarten, St. Thomas & Bahamas, (save up to $600, plus 75 percent off on a second guest)
MSC: 7-night Western Caribbean and The Bahamas, (save up to 57 percent)
Celebrity Cruises: Italian Riviera and France, (save up to $600, plus 75 percent off on a second guest)

Whether you’ve been dreaming of the ultimate adventure to Antarctica or taking the family sailing around the Bahamas, now is the best time to pull the trigger on booking that cruise. For insiders in the know, right now is what’s called Wave Season, when many top cruise lines quietly offer their best deals of the year. Think of it as the Black Friday of the cruise industry.

From Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line, you can save thousands on cruise vacations for a limited time. Read on for some of the best travel deals on cruises to book now. And hurry! Some of these cruise deals we found are only valid through the end of this month.

Travel + Leisure

Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX)

Deal:

Running now through March 31, 2025, HX’s See the World promotion includes exclusive savings on all-inclusive expeditions to destinations like Antarctica, the Galapagos, Greenland, and the Arctic, with offers of up to $6,966 off for select 2025 to 2027 sailings.

Why HX:

For cruisers who crave true once-in-a-lifetime adventure, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) is the cruise company for you. Visit harder-to-reach destinations while enjoying daily immersive excursions, hikes, and wildlife encounters, and taking part in their award-winning Science & Education programs. A pioneer in the eco-conscious cruise space, HX ensures passengers can set sail knowing all the active measures are being taken to ensure these destinations can be visited for generations to come, from minimizing single-use plastics on board to launching the industry’s first hybrid, battery-powered ships.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

Highlights of Antarctica (save up to $4,000): Having just done this itinerary myself, I can confirm this is a bucket list cruise worth booking ASAP. From spotting minke whales and getting up close with Adelie penguins to enjoying the jaw-dropping glacier landscapes, you won’t regret booking this deal.
Galápagos – In Darwin’s Footsteps (save up to $4,700): Spot the iconic giant tortoises, marine iguanas, Blue-footed Boobies, seals, and more on this nine-day cruise around the Galapagos. From snorkeling excursions to taking in the natural beauty of this otherworldly chain of volcanic islands, this cruise will surprise and delight at every step.
Solar Eclipse Expedition 2026 (save up to $6,966): Save almost $7,000 on this unique itinerary that takes you north to Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard on a 17-day journey timed with the solar eclipse. Witness the celestial event as it occurs over East Greenland before sailing through the world’s grandest fjord system and ending in Iceland.

Holland America

Deal:

Now through February 28, 2025, guests can score a free balcony room upgrade and 50 percent reduced deposits. Best of all for families, kids are also free. Yes, free. And for those who book the premium Have It All package during this time, shore excursions, the Signature Beverage Package, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi are all included at no additional charge too.

Why Holland America:

Whether you want to cruise like Oprah to Alaska or play pickleball at sea while sailing to the Virgin Islands, Holland America is a fan-favorite line. During the company’s Wave Season sale, fares can start as low as $129 per person per day, and with its Start Your Journey sale, you get even more perks when you book.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

7-day Alaska Explorer (free room upgrades and kids sail free): Alaska should be on everyone’s bucket list, and there’s no better way to experience all its magic than on a cruise. From spotting glaciers to grizzlies and excursions in cities like Juneau, this is one trip you won’t soon forget.
7-day Eastern Caribbean (free room upgrades and kids sail free): Wander the colorful streets of Old San Juan, snorkel the stunning reefs off Grand Turks, and relax on the white sand shores of a private island on this week-long getaway.
7-day Norwegian Fjords (free room upgrades and kids sail free): Norway’s iconic fjords make for an epic cruise backdrop, and you’ll get plenty of adventure in kayaking in scenic bays, hiking to lakes, or biking on trails among snow-capped mountain peaks.

Celebrity Cruises

Deal:

During Celebrity Cruises’ semi-annual sale, you can save up to 70 percent off your second guest’s fare, plus third and fourth guests sail free. Celebrity is making the savings even sweeter by also tacking on up to $500 in onboard credit per room for select trips. Plus, for this weekend only, they’re having a special Presidents Day sale with savings of up to $600 per room.

Why Celebrity Cruises:

From onboard shows and live music to Camp at Sea for kids to fine dining restaurants by acclaimed chefs like Daniel Boulud to a casino at sea, Celebrity ships have it all and then some.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

St. Maarten, St. Thomas & Bahamas (save up to $600, plus 75 percent off the second guest): Set sail from Miami for the Caribbean and enjoy a day exploring Nassau in the Bahamas before taking in the lush, hilly Virgin Island landscapes. End your trip with mesmerizing beaches in St Maarten before heading back to Florida.
Best of Greece (save up to $600, plus 75 percent off second guest): Hit all the highlights of Greece this summer, including the Parthenon in Athens, dreamy views of blue and white buildings dotting the caldera in Santorini, and the beaches of Mykonos.
Italian Riviera & France (save up to $600, plus 75% off second guest): Italy and France are calling! Hit all the highlights and then some with stops in Florence, Naples, Portofino, Nice, Provence, and more.

Princess Cruises

Deal:

Now through the end of the month, save up to 40 percent on select sailings and add third and fourth guests to your cruise for free with the More the Merrier promotion. Plus, with the cruise lines Come Aboard Sale, you’ll enjoy free cabin upgrades and discounts on deposits.

Why Princess Cruises:

On board magic shows, Sanctuary suites with oversized rooms and extra perks, and Movies Under the Stars by the pool? Count us in for a Princess Cruise vacation.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico (save up to 40 percent off, plus free room upgrades): Sail roundtrip from Florida and hit up fan-favorite spots like Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, plus stop in Belize and Honduras. Shore excursion options range from exploring ancient Mayan Ruins to snorkeling and diving.
8-day European Explorer (save up to 40 percent off, plus free room upgrades): Starting in Barcelona and ending in London, get a taste of Spanish towns like Seville, Malaga, Santiago de Compostela, and more.
7-day Classic California Coast (save up to 40 percent off, plus free room upgrades): You don’t have to go far to have an incredible cruise vacation. Discover the best of West Coast cities from San Francisco to Santa Barbara before a quick stop south of the border in Ensenada, Mexico.

Travel + Leisure

Royal Caribbean

Deal:

In keeping with its family-forward identity, Royal Caribbean’s Wave Season offers are just right for bringing the whole crew on vacation for less. Through March 31, 2025, you can save up to 60 percent on cruise fares for a second guest, plus kids are free on select sailings.

Why Royal Caribbean:

Another cruise line I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing myself, Royal Caribbean is known for being extremely family-friendly. They offer thrilling onboard activities kids will love, like waterslides, surfing simulators, rock climbing walls, and more. Meanwhile, parents can kick back and relax at the spa, or enjoy an upscale sushi dinner. Not to mention that the cruise line has its own private island in the Caribbean, Perfect Day at CocoBay, with white sand beaches, a waterpark, Chill Island, and more.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

Bahamas & Perfect Day (save up to $800): You can’t go wrong with a cruise around the turquoise waters of the Bahamas, and you don’t need a week to do it. With long weekend getaways starting from as low as $348, this is a no-brainer. Plus, this itinerary includes a stop at the cruise line’s famed private island.
Greece, Italy, and Turkey (save up to $800): Rome, Naples, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and more. You can truly do and see it all with this epic itinerary.
Ensenada, Cabo & La Paz (save up to $800): Set sail from the West Coast to Mexico. Enjoy a margarita and fresh seafood in the famed Cabo San Lucas, lounge on stunning beaches in La Paz, and keep an eye out for whales in Ensenada.

Disney Cruise Line

Deal:

Until March 14, pay just 50 percent on booking deposits, plus you can enjoy 20 percent off on select itineraries.

Why Disney Cruise Line:

It’s tough to beat the magic of Disney, including on the high seas. Character meet and greets, Princess makeovers, firework shows, and more ensure you’ll have a truly enchanted vacation.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

4-night Bahamian: Snorkeling, dolphin encounters, and ATV adventures around the islands are all possible when you set sail for the Bahamas.
5-night Mediterranean: Ready to introduce the kids to the best of the Mediterranean? A Disney Cruise is just the ticket for exploring Naples to Provence.
15-night South Pacific: As someone who is constantly looking for new places to explore, it’s rare for me to be so captivated by a destination that I want to return again and again. But that was my experience sailing around the South Pacific. From the Islands of Tahiti and beyond, these lush landscapes and pristine waters are truly unforgettable.

AMAWaterways

Deal:

Now through the end of March, you can save big time with triple savings on select summer and holiday itineraries. Save up to $4,000, plus get free room upgrades and up to $200 of onboard credit.

Why AMAWaterways:

Don’t sleep (er, rather do) on river cruises. Scenic river cruises are a fantastic way to explore several cities in a short time frame, or for getting to otherwise hard-to-reach locales. AMAWaterways is renowned for its river cruises, with best-in-class service.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

Best of the Danube (save up to $2,000): One of the most popular itineraries, this European river cruise takes you to iconic cities and landmarks including Budapest, Wachau Valley, Vienna, Salzburg, and more.
Christmas Markets on the Rhine (save up to $2,000): There’s almost nothing better than Europe’s Christmas markets, and on this cruise, you’ll have the chance to visit several. From charming Cologne to Heidelberg, you can sip on mulled wine, see the Christmas lights, and shop at the famed holiday stalls.
Secrets of Egypt & the Nile (save up to $4,000): Trust me when I tell you a cruise up the Nile River is the trip of a lifetime. One of my favorite vacations of all time, there’s nothing quite like seeing the ancient pyramids and pharaohs’ tombs in the Valley of the Kings in person.

Travel + Leisure

Silversea

Deal:

Now until the end of February, save up to a whopping $6,000 on select fares with their Reasons to Sail promotion, plus enjoy 15 percent reduced deposit rates.

Why Silversea:

For luxury seekers, Silversea is tough to beat when it comes to cruising. They even offer door-to-door packages where everything is taken care of for you from the moment your trip officially begins, including flight bookings, airport transfers, shore excursions, onboard butler services, and more. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Itineraries Worth Considering:

Cape Town to Cape Town (save up to $3,000): Begin by taking in the stunning mountain and beach landscapes of Cape Town before sailing off to Namibia’s desert shores. Whether you’re exploring port cities like Durban, sandboarding down golden dunes, or spotting dolphins, this is sure to be a trip for the books.
Hong Kong to Tokyo (save up to $3,000): Set your sights on Asia with this two-week adventure. From Shanghai to Kyushu Island to Tokyo, you’ll catch all the best highlights.
Papeete (Tahiti) to Papeete (save up to $3,000): Bora Bora is legendary for a reason, but you don’t have to stay put in an overwater bungalow to see it. Instead, take a cruise to the destination and then continue with stops to see other stunning islands like Moorea, Rangiroa, and more.