60% off on a cruise for your guest? Here are 7 cruise deals to snag during wave season
A new year brings new deals – at least when it comes to cruises. Wave season, when travelers can find the best cruise deals of the year, is here. The period typically runs from January through March.
"I would say to try to make their booking sometime within that wave window because they'll get a fantastic deal," Theresa Scalzitti, chief sales officer at travel agency franchise network Cruise Planners, told USA TODAY last month.
There is a range of offers for all types of vacations this year, whether you want to soak up the sun in the Caribbean or peruse stops along Columbia and Snake Rivers.
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We rounded up seven wave season cruise deals for 2023:
What cruise lines are offering wave season deals for 2023?
► Azamara: Passengers can save 40% on select staterooms and get $300 in onboard credit as part of Azamara's deal through Jan. 31. The luxury line's offer applies to select voyages departing from Feb. 28 to April 3, 2024, according to a news release.
The deal only applies to the first and second guests in a stateroom, and passengers must pay a full deposit before the end of the offer period, according to the line's website.
► American Queen Voyages: American Queen Voyages is offering up to $2,500 off each stateroom and free roundtrip airfare for select 2023 sailings. The airfare offer is good for economy tickets, and travelers can choose to get a $300 travel credit per guest instead, according to the line's website. The promotion runs through Feb. 28.
The stateroom savings amount varies by sailing. Only the first two guests on a reservation are eligible for the offer, and the deal only applies to select stateroom categories. The airfare or travel credit option also does not apply to every sailing included in the offer.
► Carnival Cruise Line: As part of Carnival's Choose Fun Together Early Saver Sale, travelers can get up to 40% off cruise fares, up to $100 in onboard credit per stateroom, and reduced deposits starting at $50 per guest, through Jan. 9. The deal applies to sailings through April 2025, according to the line's website.
The deposit amount varies by sailing and is nonrefundable.
► Celebrity Cruises: Through March 1, Celebrity is offering savings of up to $800 per stateroom, up to a 75% discount on a second guest's cruise fare and as much as $800 in onboard credit. The offer applies to most cruises through April 30, 2025, a spokesperson said in an email.
The second guest must be in the same stateroom and can get a 75% discount on a nonrefundable fare or a 60% discount on a refundable fare. The savings and onboard credit amounts also vary by sailing length.
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► Holland America Line: Holland America is running its "Time of Your Life" offer through Feb. 28. For select cruises between summer 2023 and spring 2024, the deal includes up to 30% off fares, free stateroom upgrades on interior and ocean-view staterooms, and free fares for kids 18 and under who are sailing as the third and fourth passengers in a stateroom, according to a news release.
The line is also offering 50% reduced deposits for the first two guests in a stateroom. Those who book by Jan. 31 will also get up to $400 in onboard credit per cabin, though the amount varies by sailing.
The offer excludes Grand Voyages and sailings five days or shorter, according to the line's website.
► Princess Cruises: Princess's Best Sale Ever is back. The line is offering up to 35% off cruise fares on any of its 15 ships and as much as $150 per guest in onboard credit, according to a news release. The line is also offering refundable deposits of just $100 per passenger. The promotion runs through March 1 and applies to select cruises.
The onboard credit amount varies based on the stateroom category and applies to up to four guests in a stateroom, according to the line's website.
► Virgin Voyages: Virgin is offering a 60% discount for second guests in a stateroom and a drink credit if travelers book by Jan. 31. Guests will get $300 per cabin in free drinks for sailings six nights or less, and $600 for longer voyages.
The deal applies to sail dates in 2023 and 2024, depending on the ship.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruise deals: Here are 7 offers from Carnival, Princess and more
