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Wondering what wave season is and how it can add value to your cruise vacation? We demystify this term so that as an in-the-know cruiser, you’ll be able to use this information to strategize your booking time and find the best special offers.

Longing to cruise to the Caribbean for a blissful escape to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on a pristine white-sand beach? Can’t wait to see the ancient and dynamic sights of Rome, the native wildlife of Australia, or the natural icy wonders of Alaska?

Wave season can make your cruise travel dreams come true while offering you big savings on both your cruise booking and your onboard experience.

What exactly is wave season?

Couple sightseeing on a cruise veranda

Think of wave season as the best sale day ever that just happens to last for three months–like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and President’s Day all rolled into one.

Cruise wave season starts right after the winter holiday season and continues until the end of March. The “wave” refers to the tidal wave of cruise promotions offered during this time.

People relaxing on a cruise pool

The timing couldn’t be better. Booking a cruise during this season gives you something to look forward to after a tiresome holiday season and dreary winter weather.

What special offers are available during wave season?

People relaxing in robes at a spa

Some specials you might find include a dramatically reduced fare, a lower initial deposit to hold your stateroom, perks such as onboard credit to spend on activities and services during your cruise, and discounts for third and fourth guests, making it a great time to book a family cruise vacation.

Butler serving family inside stateroom

You could also find extra incentives when you book during this season, like special promotions for booking on our newest ship, Celebrity Apex, or savings when you book The Retreat®, our exclusive all-suites premium cruise experience.

People hanging out at the Sunset Bar

You might also find offers for stateroom upgrades or specials within stateroom classifications such as Veranda, AquaClass, or Concierge class.

Is there a downside to booking during this season?

Couple on a rocky shore in Barbados

No. It’s a fantastic time to book one of our luxury cruise vacations, whether you’ve been eyeing a jaunt around the Eastern Caribbean during spring break, a family cruise to Alaska, or a getaway to the Galapagos Islands.

Read: Fun Family Spring Break Ideas

If you have specific accommodations in mind, you’ll want to book as early in the season as possible, since some accommodation types can fill up fast.

Couple inside a huge bathroom on a cruise

Read: How To Choose The Best Stateroom

Which perks are the best value?

That’s one of the best things about booking during wave season: You get to decide which offer and which perk best fits your vacation desires.

People eating dinner in Murano

When considering the different Celebrity perks that might be offered, think about what you’ll most want to do while aboard the ship. Is onboard credit, which will let you spend at the ship’s casino, full-service spa, or designer boutiques the best value for you? If you know that you’ll want to pair wines with the world-class cuisine you’ll be dining on, a beverage package that includes alcohol may be just right for you.

If you’re worried about a price drop after you’ve booked your cruise, it’s good to know that Celebrity’s best price guarantee will reduce your cruise fare to the lowest prevailing cruise fare, provided certain criteria are met.

Celebrity Eclipse ship exterior

Ready to book your next vacation? Whether it’s wave season or not, you can always see our current promotions by browsing our cruise itineraries online.

Free Vacation Planning Services

Free Vacation Planning Services