Ride the Wave: Insider’s Guide to the Best Cruise Deals

Image courtesy of Crystal

The most anticipated time of year for cruise lovers has arrived: Wave Season. Each January through March, the cruise industry ushers in the new year by offering compelling deals across a variety of ships. Wave Season means that travellers who love cruising can pick and choose some great deals on their favourite routes, while those new to cruising can also test the waters without breaking the bank. 

Here are some deals from our cruise partners to showcase some of the best itineraries, from expedition vessels heading to remote coastlines to luxury ships with refined amenities, and everything in between. Look for perks like suite upgrades, sophisticated amenity packages and on-board credits to make the most of your next sailing.

Make sure to connect with WeGalavant for more details about applicable dates, voyages and conditions, plus pre- and post-cruise stays with partner perks to make your trip special.

Luxury cruising

Windstar

Booking dates: Book by March 31, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings through 2027

Wave Season deals:

• Option 1: An onboard credit of up to $1,000 per suite — good for shore excursions, beverage packages, spa treatments and more.
• Option 2: A night at a hotel before or after your cruise.
• Option 3: An all-inclusive experience when you reserve a Premium Suite (a value of more than $1,300 for two guests on a 7-day voyage).
  

Seabourn

Booking dates: Book by February 18, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings through 2027

Wave Season deals:

• Save up to 15% on select ocean and expedition cruises.
• Up to $1,000 in onboard credit (per cabin). 
  

Silversea

Booking dates: Until February 28, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings through 2027

Wave Season deals:

• Save up to $5,000 ($2,500 per person) on the line’s Door-to-Door and Port-to-Port all-inclusive fares. 
• Passengers will also enjoy a 15% reduced deposit.
  

Crystal

Booking dates: Book before February 2, 2025 (for upgrade); book before February 28, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings.

Wave Season deals:

• Upgrade: Book your next Crystal voyage before February 2, 2025, and you’ll be upgraded for free and also receive a complimentary pre- or post-cruise hotel night. You’ll also receive complimentary garment care and dry-cleaning services across all suite categories.
  

Exclusively for us (book between January 1st and February 28th):

• Suite upgrade (book a double room and get an upgrade to an Aquamarine; book an Aquamarine and get an upgrade to a Sapphire Veranda).
• Pre- or post-cruise hotel stay (1 night).
• $200 shipboard credit per person on any of the qualifying voyages of the promotions (valid on new booking only made from Jan 1-30 2025).
• Qualifying voyages are those mentioned in the above, public free-upgrade deal.
  

Explora

Booking dates: New bookings beforeFebruary 28, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings

Wave Season deals:

• Guests receive “The Unique Oceans Offer” value savings of up to 40% on their journey fare with Explora Journeys when booking any suite category and on select journeys. 
• 10% Reduced deposit benefit.
• Up to EUR 1000 Prepaid Destination Experience credits per suite per booking 
• A Prepaid Destination Experience Credit of up to EUR 1000 per suite (amount varies depending on suite category selected) and per booking to use towards pre-booking Destination Experiences from our collection of land experiences.
  

Adult-only excursions

Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages

Booking dates: Book by January 20, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings in2025 and 2026

Wave Season deals:

• 80% off a 2nd Sailor: Available on all voyages, including new 2025 and 2026 itineraries.
• Up to USD $300 in free drinks: For beer, wine, Champagne or cocktails to accompany your award-winning meals.
• 4-5 Nights: $100 in free drinks
• 6-8 Nights: $200 in free drinks
• 9+ Nights: $300 in free drinks
  

Adventure cruising

Ponant

Booking dates: January 1 to February 7, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings in2025

Wave Season deals:

Pole to Pole: Up to $1,500 in air credit per guest on select Arctic Sailings, and up to $2,500 in air credit per guest on select Antarctica Sailings.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Booking dates: Book by March 4, 2025 

Travel dates: Applies to select sailings in 2025 and 2026

Wave Season deals:

• A cabin credit of up to $2,000 per guest.
• Save 25%, 33% or 40% on solo cabins on select departures.
• Save up to an additional 10% off on the cabin fare when you pay in full at time of booking.
• Up to 10% savings is applied after the cabin credit savings.
• 10% saving is available on select Antarctica and Galápagos departures. Other applicable departures are at 5% savings.
  

Quark 

Booking dates: Book by March 31, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to all Arctic 2025 and select Antarctic 2025/2026 voyages. 

Wave Season deals:

• $1,500 credit to cover your flight to the gateway city.
• Free charter flight and hotel package: a charter flight to the ship with fellow passengers following a hotel night in a vibrant gateway city.
• Free Priority Pass™: two visits per passenger to exclusive airport lounges where you’ll enjoy food, drinks, spa treatments, sleeping pods and more.
  

Family-friendly cruising

Image courtesy of Celebrity Cruise

Holland America Line

Booking dates: December 19, 2024 to February 25, 2025

Travel dates: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2025, Spring 2026 (excludes Grand Voyages and cruises five days in length or shorter) 

Wave Season deals:

• Free balcony upgrades.
• Onboard credit when you book by January 31st.
• Free fares for kids booked on Have It All cruise bookings.
• Reduced deposit.
  

Celebrity Cruises

Booking dates:  December 10, 2024 to April 7, 2025

Travel dates: Applies to sailings until May 10, 2027

Wave Season deals:

• 75% off the 2nd Guest (non-refundable deposit rates); 50% off the 2nd Guest (refundable deposit rates).
• Weekly Friday to Monday: Bonus savings up to $600 per stateroom.

Let’s make your next trip unforgettable. From VIP perks to exclusive benefits, our expert Travel Planner will tap into their little black book of contacts and insider intel to VIP you every step of the way. Sit back, relax, and let us handle all the details. Fill in WeGalavant’s Enquiry Form to start planning now.