Wave season cruise deals 2023: Bag a bargain for your next sailing

As 2022 winds down, many travelers have turned their thoughts to 2023’s vacation opportunities. In other words, cruise wave season — the period between December and March when cruise lines offer some of their best deals and booking incentives — is upon us.

This wave season, cruise lines are offering a slew of fabulous booking bonuses. These include everything from fare discounts and cabin upgrades to free flights and added perks like complimentary Wi-Fi and drinks packages. Plus, several deals offer additional perks when you pay in full.

Check out what’s available, and start planning your next at-sea adventure. Be sure to check back throughout the new year, as this article will be updated with new wave season deals throughout the first quarter of 2023.

Note: Several of the major cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, are offering rolling deals through the holidays, but none of them is specifically tied to wave season.

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Atlas Ocean Voyages

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator. CEEBZ GERARD/DNC MEDIA

From Jan. 4-March 31, 2023, Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering up to $1,000 per stateroom in flight credit (depending on cabin type booked) when you sail to one of the line’s non-polar destinations, including the British Isles, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Plus, if you book consecutive voyages, you’ll save at least 15% on fares for each.

Celestyal Cruises

Through Feb. 28, 2023, Celestyal Cruises is slashing its fares by up to 60% for 2023 and 2024 cruises to and around the Greek Isles and the Eastern Mediterranean. As part of its “Go Further, Get Closer” wave season campaign, the line is selling three-night Aegean voyages that visit the Greek Isles, Turkey and Crete, starting from $339 per person (plus taxes and fees).

Emerald Cruises

Through March 31, 2023, Emerald Cruises is giving cruisers a chance to save up to $3,000 on river sailings and up to $4,500 on yacht voyages. For 2023 Europe and 2023-2024 Southeast Asia river cruises, couples will save up to $1,000, or they can take up to $1,500 off all luxury yacht sailings in 2023 and 2024.

If you pay in full at least 12 months prior to sailing (or within 72 hours if sailing is less than 12 months out), you’ll snag up to an additional $2,000 per couple on river cruises and $3,000 per couple on yacht sailings. Instead of the extra savings, passengers can, instead, choose a free drinks package or free or discounted airfare.

Holland America Line

Holland America is offering discounts, cabin upgrades and additional perks as part of its “Time of Your Life” wave season offer. Passengers booking select voyages departing from summer 2023 through spring 2024 can book an ocean-view room for the price of an inside cabin or a balcony stateroom for the price of ocean-view accommodations.

Plus, kids sail free as third and fourth guests in the same cabin as two paying adults, and shore excursions, specialty dining, and basic Wi-Fi and beverage packages are included in the price of certain sailings. This offer runs through Feb. 28, 2023, but if you book by Jan. 31, 2023, you’ll also score up to $400 per room in onboard credit.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is offering an extension of its long-running “Best Sale Ever” this wave season. Through March 1, 2023, cruisers can enjoy seven perks that normally cost extra, at no additional cost. They include basic alcohol and Wi-Fi packages, crew gratuities, two fitness classes, up to $150 in onboard credit per person (depending on cabin type booked) and more, plus a reduced deposit of just $100 per person when booking.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours

Through March 31, 2023, when booking Scenic’s wave season deals, passengers can save up to $1,500 per couple on nearly two dozen Europe river voyages and up to $5,000 per couple on sailings aboard new ocean expedition ship Scenic Eclipse for sailings departing in 2023 and 2024.

Passengers can also choose from additional benefits when they pay in full at least 12 months from their sailing date (or within 72 hours if their sailing is less than 12 months away). Bonus perks for river cruises include free or two-for-one airfare, depending on the cabin booked; a free pre- or post-cruise land extension; or an extra $1,000-per-person discount on voyages of eight days or longer. Ocean travelers can choose from free or two-for-one air, depending on stateroom type, or an extra $3,000 discount per person.