Wave Season deal: Up to $500 in instant savings on cruises
Editor's Note
Wave Season, the booking period during the first quarter of each year when cruise lines offer some of their best discounts, is once again here — and Princess Cruises has a promotion that delivers significant savings for couples, families and groups of friends.
With its 2026 Wave Season Come Aboard Sale, Princess is offering up to 40% off fares on all cruises across its entire fleet. It's also offering discounted deposits and additional ways to save on a vacation at sea.
Between now and Feb. 16, guests who book a cruise on any of Princess’ 17 ships — including the new Star Princess, which debuted in November, and its Sphere-class sibling Sun Princess, which launched in 2024 — can enjoy up to 40% off cruise fares. They can also receive up to $500 in instant savings, 50% off deposits, and free third and fourth guests in the same cabin.
Related: Princess Cruises welcomes another giant new ship
Better still, guests can take advantage of Come Aboard Sale savings on voyages to everywhere that Princess sails — and it sails 345 destinations across all seven continents. Popular options include experiencing the glaciers and wildlife in Alaska, island-hopping in the sunny Caribbean islands or Greek islands, exploring the vibrant culture of Japan, and visiting Europe’s most inviting coastal cities in the Mediterranean, British Isles and Baltic region.
Sample deals on cruises around the globe
You can score significant savings on a wide array of Princess cruises. For example, fares start as low as $544 per person for an interior cabin on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Regal Princess (Aug. 29, 2026). All fares are priced at double occupancy. However, families or groups of friends who share a cabin that accommodates four guests can enjoy even bigger savings: The third and fourth guests can cruise for free.
Here’s a sampling of other voyages with great Come Aboard Sale savings:
Caribbean
In the Caribbean, Princess is offering a seven-night Western Caribbean with Mexico sailing aboard Regal Princess from Fort Lauderdale (May 16, 2026), priced from $549 per person for an interior cabin and $729 per person for a balcony cabin. There's also a seven-night Western Caribbean with Mexico voyage from Fort Lauderdale on Sun Princess (Nov. 29, 2026), priced from $584 per person for an interior cabin and $764 per person for an oceanview cabin. Other dates and fares for these itineraries are also available.
Alaska
If Alaska is a must-see, all scheduled sailings to the 49th state are discounted. This includes a seven-night Alaska Inside Passage voyage round-trip sailing from Seattle aboard the brand-new Star Princess (May 3, 2026). Prices start at $924 per person for an interior cabin and $1,589 for a balcony cabin.
Related: 3 ways Princess Cruises stands out in Alaska
U.S. West Coast
Other cruises from the West Coast range from shorter sailings along the Pacific Coast to longer round-trip voyages to Hawaii and Mexico. These include:
- A four-night Pacific Coastal sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver on Grand Princess (May 2, 2026), priced from $304 per person for an interior cabin and $394 per person for a cabin with a balcony.
- A 16-night Hawaiian Islands cruise round-trip sailing from San Francisco on Ruby Princess (Sept. 17, 2026), priced from $1,229 per person for an interior cabin and $2,004 per person for a balcony cabin.
- A 10-night Mexican Riviera voyage round-trip journey from San Francisco on Ruby Princess (Oct. 3, 2026), priced from $649 per person for an interior and $1,074 per person for a balcony.
Europe
Do you prefer the history and culture of Europe and the Mediterranean? Princess has a seven-night Mediterranean and Aegean voyage that sails round-trip from Rome on Enchanted Princess (June 23, 2026), priced from $902 per person for a balcony.
Other deals include:
- A seven-night Mediterranean with Italy and Turkey cruise on Sun Princess from Rome to Athens (May 22, 2026), priced from $1,094 per person for an interior cabin
- A 12-day British Isles with France and Belfast round trip from Southampton, England, on Majestic Princess (April 19, 2027), priced from $1,580 for an interior and $2,127 for a balcony
Discounted fares for other European sailing dates are also available.
Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries
Japan
Japan continues to be a popular destination for cruisers, and Princess has expanded its presence in the region, offering more than 100 voyages in 2026 and 2027 aboard the Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess. For a seven-night Japan and South Korea round-trip sailing from Tokyo on Sapphire Princess (May 29, 2027), cruise fares start at $1,144 per person for an interior cabin and $1,789 per person for a balcony. For the 10-night Japan Explorer cruise — which sails round-trip from Tokyo on Diamond Princess — prices start at $1,329 per person for an interior cabin and $2,529 for a cabin with a balcony.
Fares include all taxes and fees
On top of the discounts during the Come Aboard Sale, Princess now includes taxes and port fees in all advertised cruise fares. In other words, the price listed is what you’ll pay before adding on extras such as gratuities or optional Princess Premier and Princess Plus beverage, dining and Wi-Fi packages.
Guests may also receive up to $100 in instant savings per cabin on quick getaways of four to five nights, up to $200 per cabin on voyages of six to eight nights, and up to $500 per cabin on sailings of nine nights or longer.
When booking a cruise during the Come Aboard Sale promotional period, guests also benefit by having their deposit reduced by 50% from Princess’ standard requirement.
Chief marketing officer at Princess Cruises, Marie Lee, acknowledged that Wave Season is one of the most anticipated times of the year for cruise lovers and said Princess is thrilled to offer its customers its very best savings. “Whether you’re a loyal guest who has sailed with us before, a first-time cruiser ready to discover the magic of the sea, or a multi-generational family planning that special vacation together, our ‘Come Aboard Sale’ makes it easier than ever to turn those dream adventures into reality,” she said.
Unique onboard amenities and experiences
The 17 ships in the Princess fleet fall into four classes and have capacities ranging from 2,000 to 4,300 guests.
The two newest classes — Sphere (Sun Princess and Star Princess) and Royal (Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Enchanted Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, and Discovery Princess) — feature the largest ships the greatest selection of onboard bars and restaurants.
Ships in the Sphere class carry 4,300 guests and feature the most suites. Known as the Sanctuary Collection, these suites have access to the exclusive Sanctuary Club pool deck and the Sanctuary Restaurant. Sun Princess and Star Princess are also the only ships that feature Spellbound by Magic Castle, an interactive cocktail and illusion experience bookable at an extra charge, as well as The Dome, a glass sphere that encloses a pool, relaxation terraces and entertainment space.
Related: The 4 classes of Princess ships, explained
Princess has six ships in its Royal class, which accommodate around 3,600 guests and are known for their multiple pools and spacious outdoor decks. (The main pool the setting for “Movies Under the Stars” screenings.) Plus, there's the glittering Piazza which serves as the ship’s social heart.
Princess also has seven older Grand class vessels (Grand Princess, Crown Princess, Caribbean Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess), which accommodate around 2,600 guests. There are two smaller Coral class ships (Coral Princess and Island Princess), which carry 2,000 guests.
The Come Aboard Sale is available through Feb. 16 to residents of all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bermuda and Washington, D.C. Hopeful cruisers can find more details and exclusions at the Princess website.
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