Wave season cruise deals for 2022
Editor's note: This post has been updated with new information.
Wave season is here! It's the span between January and March when cruise lines offer some of their lowest fares to travelers planning sailings for the year ahead. That means savings and perks for you, the cruiser, as you consider planning your future travels.
During this time, look for extra-value promotions, such as reduced deposits, two-for-one fares, free fares for the third and fourth passengers in a cabin, free kids fares, gratis airfare, complimentary pre-cruise hotel stays, cabin upgrades, onboard credit, beverage packages, included gratuities, free Wi-Fi and more.
Now that you understand why this might be the cheapest time to plan a cruise, take a look at some of the cruise deals I'm most excited about in 2022 for bookings this year and beyond. You'll need to sort through the different promotions to find the ones that have the greatest value for your travel style.
For example, if you're not tight on cash or don't mind leaving your money with your cruise line prior to a far-off sailing date, a reduced deposit might not be that valuable to you. On the other hand, if you always buy a beverage package, getting one for free might be much more appealing. Benefits like prepaid gratuities or onboard credit are almost like getting cash — assuming, of course, you were going to spend that money anyway.
Here are some of the best 2022 wave season cruise deals I've seen so far.
Editor's note: Deals and pricing were accurate at the time of publication. Offers are subject to change without notice.
American Cruise Lines
Until further notice, cruisers can save up to $1,200 on select sailings with American Cruise Lines. Featured destinations include the lower Mississippi, Cape Cod, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Alaska. Plus, beyond wave season, the line is now permanently offering flat-rate domestic airfare to all 19 of its embarkation points across 16 states. Book a cruise, and you'll have the option to purchase airfare for a set price that's immune to fluctuations.
American Queen Voyages
American Queen Voyages is offering a "Spring Savings Event," running through April 30, 2022. When you book a cruise, you can earn up to $4,800 in savings per cabin. Choose from a selection of 2022, 2023 and 2024 ocean and Great Lakes cruises, as well as voyages on U.S. rivers.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Luxe expedition newcomer Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering $2,000 per cabin in fare discounts when cruisers book a new voyage with a travel agent by March 31, 2022. The offer is good for sailings departing between March and September 2022.
Avalon Waterways
Through March 28, 2022, Avalon Waterways is featuring up to $2,800 in savings per stateroom on select Europe river voyages departing through December 31, 2022, as well as super-affordable $399-per-person airfare. Additionally, cruisers who reserve a 2022 Avalon Waterways Storytellers Series Europe voyage for four or more people can save a further $150 per person.
Azamara Cruises
Azamara, which recently came under new ownership, is offering 30% off new bookings on select voyages departing between Jan. 7, 2022, and May 5, 2023, when you book by March 31, 2022. You'll also receive up to $500 per cabin in onboard credit.
Carnival Cruise Line
Until further notice, Carnival Cruise Line is featuring 40% of cruise fares and up to $50 in onboard credit when you book sailings through August 2024 with the line's 50th birthday celebration event sale.
Celebrity Cruises
If you're looking to sail with a more inclusive line without the luxury prices, Celebrity is a sure bet. The line includes Wi-Fi, drinks and gratuities on most regular sailings all year long, but during wave season, you can save up to 25% on cruises and flights. This offer is valid until further notice.
Cunard Line
With its "Treat yourself, on us" promo, Cunard is giving passengers up to $2,000 in onboard credit, a drinks package and gratuities when you book a Grills Suite by May 23, 2022.
Disney Cruise Line
Until further notice, Disney — which rarely runs sales — is discounting select voyages by up to 25% when you book a cruise from Miami, Port Canaveral or San Diego.
Holland America Line
Just in time to satisfy your winter cruise cravings, Holland America presents its "Ultimate Upgrade Event." Book a qualifying cruise, and the line will throw in a 50% reduced deposit, a free stateroom upgrade, free basic beverage and Wi-Fi packages, and complimentary shore excursions and specialty restaurant meals (number depends on length of cruise). This offer is valid on select sailings of six nights or longer, departing through spring 2023. This offer is valid until further notice.
Hurtigruten Expeditions
This wave season, Hurtigruten Expeditions is offering up to 30% off when you book a sailing for 2023 or 2024 to Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen, South America and other destinations. This deal expires March 31, 2022.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Running until further notice, Norwegian's New Year's deal is enticing cruisers with 35% off cruise fares, as well as valuable extras that usually come with a fee. They include free open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and airfare, and free fares for third and fourth passengers. This offer is valid on select sailings to Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Caribbean and more, departing into 2023.
Oceania Cruises
Luxury cruise line Oceania's plethora of bargains on select 2022 and 2023 voyages includes two-for-one cruise fares, discounted airfare and a choice of perks (complimentary shore excursions, free beverage packages or up to $800 in onboard credit).
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is running a "Best. Sale. Ever." promotion that gives passengers up to $695 in add-ons for free when they book select voyages of seven nights or more until further notice. When you book a qualifying cruise, you'll get a free premier beverage package, complimentary Wi-Fi, included gratuities, a stateroom location upgrade and a gratis meal in one of your ship's specialty dining venues.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Via its "Upgrade Your Horizon" wave season promotion, Regent is offering a two-category upgrade — up to a Penthouse Suite — to passengers who book a voyage with the line by April 30, 2022. Deposits are also reduced to 50%.
Royal Caribbean International
Until further notice, Royal Caribbean is running a sale that offers 30% in savings on voyages departing through 2023, plus up to an additional $550 discount. Itineraries feature the Caribbean, Mexico and the Bahamas, including the line's private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn's "Suite Life Event," running until April 4, 2022, will give you a two-category veranda suite upgrade on select 2022 and 2023 sailings and entitle you to a 50% reduced deposit. By paying in full, passengers might also qualify for an additional early bird discount of 10% on select voyages departing after July 1, 2022.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea is running two promotions that could net you some savings. The first allows you to earn $500 for you and a friend each time you refer a newbie to the line. If your friend references your name and Venetian Society number when booking a cruise, you'll both receive a credit that can be applied to a booking of your choice. You can refer up to five friends for a total of $2,500 in credit, as long as the bookings are made before May 31, 2022.
Until further notice, the second promo allows solo cruisers to sail alone with only a 25% single supplement — a significant discount.
UnCruise Adventures
During wave season, UnCruise is featuring savings of up to $1,000 per person, based on itinerary, on new bookings made by April 15, 2022. The line is also waiving single supplements on select voyages and offering 25% discounts for group bookings of eight or more passengers.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Uniworld's "Cruise Back Into Travel" deal is offering discounts of up to $5,000 per person when you book select 2022 sailings and pay in full at the time of booking. This promotion is valid through March 31, 2022. Passengers can choose from destinations like the Peruvian Amazon and India's Golden Triangle.
Virgin Voyages
If you're curious about new cruise line Virgin Voyages, now is the time to check it out for yourself. Until March 31, 2022, the line's "Sea Blue. Save Green." offer is touting a 20% discount and $100 toward a prepaid bar tab on eligible Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Europe itineraries, plus an additional 10% off when you pay in full.
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