2026 Cruise Wave Season Promotions and Travel Advisor Incentives

by Dori Saltzman January 19, 2026

seabourn cruise ship in norway — Photo: Seabourn

The New Year has barely begun and Wave Season is already off to a strong start with offers from several cruise lines providing savings and value adds for clients, as well as travel advisor incentives. Here’s everything TMR has rounded up so far.

Aurora Expeditions

Though not technically a Wave Season promotion, Aurora’s 35th anniversary sale runs through March 31, 2026, offering savings of up to 35% off on selected expeditions in 2026 and 2027. Voyages are available in Antarctica, the Arctic, Indonesia, the Mediterranean, and more.

Azamara Cruises

This Wave Season (Dec. 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026), Azamara is offering up to $1,000 in onboard credit on more than 200 2026 and 2027 voyages, including the line’s first-ever dedicated fall Asia season and its return to Alaska in spring 2026.

Celebrity Cruises

This Wave Season, Celebrity Cruises is offering a trio of savings offers on itineraries through May 10, 2028. Through the end of March, cruisers can save up to 75% off the second guest in a stateroom, plus up to $700 in additional savings and free fares for 3rd, 4th, and 5^th guests on select sailings.

Celestyal

Celestyal’s 2026 Wave Season offer provides savings of up to 50% off cruise fares on 226 sailings. Also included in the promotion is up to 500 euros (approximately $582) bonus CelestyalPay (ie onboard credit) on 14 sailings and up to 200 euros (approximately $232.50) shore excursion credit on 186 sailings. Applicable sailings depart between December 2025 and October 2027. Bookings must be made between Dec. 10, 2025 and Feb. 5, 2026.

Costa Cruises

Through March 16, 2026, Costa Cruises is offering up to 50% off the cruise fare for the second guest, with third and fourth guests sailing free when traveling in the same stateroom on select 2026 and 2027 cruises. The Wave offer is available across nine ships in the fleet for inside, outside, and balcony cabins.

Cunard

Through Feb. 25, 2026, Cunard is offering North American travelers up to $600 in onboard credit per stateroom on select 2026 and 2027 voyages (April 2026 through December 2027) across all four Queens. Clients booking Cunard’s Grill Suites enjoy added perks like a Drinks Package and included Hotel & Dining Service Charges.

Ecoventura

Through Jan. 31, 2026, Ecoventura is offering savings of up to 25% (up to $5,000) on select 2027 departures of its Galapagos sailings, with 10% off on double and triple occupancy cabins, and the biggest savings on solo cabins. Clients who want to extend their voyages can book a two-week back-to-back expedition for an additional 10% discount on their second week. (Not valid on groups or charters.)

Emerald Cruises

Through Feb. 1, 2026, Emerald is offering up to 30% savings per suite, plus 2-for-1 fares, up to $300 per person in nonrefundable savings (use code NONREF) when full payment is made within 48 hours booking, and a complimentary Flexible Booking Plan. The promotion is good on select river and yacht departures in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Explora Journeys

Through Jan. 28, 2026, Explora Journeys is extending a “Suite Invitation” to cruisers with savings of up to 30% off or a complimentary one-category suite upgrades for select suites in the Ocean Residences and Penthouse categories. All bookings during the promotional period are eligible for a reduced 10% deposit. As an example, clients can book an Ocean Terrace Suite (OT2) for the price of the lower category Ocean Terrace Suite (OT1) or an Ocean Grand Terrace Suite (GT) at the lower price of the lower category of the Ocean Terrace Suite OT4. (Applies to OT2-OT3-OT4-GT-DP-PP category codes only.) Suite categories not included in the upgrade offer receive up to 30% savings on the fare.

French Country Waterways

While availability lasts, French Country Waterways is offering savings of 30% off on select Upper Loire sailings onboard the 12-guest Nenuphar. Highlights of the itinerary are a visit to the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, a medieval fortress built in the late 14th century, and a Michelin-starred dinner at Maison Medard in Boulleret. The offer is for new bookings only and not combinable with other special offers or promotions.

Havila Voyages

Through March 15, 2026, Havila is offering savings of up to $650 on coastal Norway sailings in 2026, 2027, and the first quarter of 2028. Bookings of one-way sailings (north or southbound) receive up to $325 in savings, while roundtrip bookings get up to $650 per cabin. Applies to all cabin categories and is valid for both double and single occupancy, and can be combined with the 10% Solo Traveler Offer (for departures more than 60 days before sailing).

Holland America Line

Holland America’s “Start Your Journey” promotion offers up to 30% off on 500+ cruises in 2026 and 2027, along with free balcony upgrades, onboard and shore excursion credits, free kids fares (guests under age 18 traveling as the third and fourth guests in a cabin), and more. Guests who book by Jan. 31, 2026, will receive $100 per person onboard credit for cruises of six to nine days, $150 per person for Alaska cruise/tours and cruises 10 to 20 days, $200 per person on cruises 21 days or longer, and $250 per person on Legendary Voyages. Additionally, anyone booking a 2026 Alaska cruise or cruise/tour by January 31, 2026 will also receive up to $200 in shore excursion credits per stateroom when they use promo code #1ALASKA26.

HX Expeditions

Between Dec. 4, 2025, and March 23, 2026, HX is offering up to $4,000 off select expedition cruises to Antarctica, Greenland, Norway, the Galapagos, Alaska, Svalbard, the Northwest Passage, and Arctic Canada, along with $250 per person in onboard credit (only for those who have never sailed with HX Expeditions before). The “See the World” promotion also includes an extra $250 discount for Galapagos and Norway sailings for guests who have not previously sailed with HX Expeditions. Applicable sailings depart between Dec. 23, 2025, and March 31, 2028. The “See the World” promotion is combinable with Silver, Gold, and Platinum HX Explorers member discounts. Group bookings are not included in the promotion.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is giving travel advisors plenty of incentives this Wave Season, with up to 30% off for clients, an exclusive trade-only 50% off discount, and its annual “Sell 3, Sail Free” promo. This year’s Wave includes deals on select sailings during peak summer season with Norway’s never-ending daylight. The up to 30% off for clients is bookable through March 1, 2026. The 50% off monthly exclusive offer for travel advisors to sail will be updated at the start of each month on Hurtigruten’s promotions page. The booking window for these is the last day of that month.

To qualify for the “Sell 3, Sail Free” promotion, advisors must sell three cabins before March 1, 2026, for sailings on or before Dec. 31, 2026. The free cruise can be enjoyed before Dec. 31, 2026.

Margaritaville at Sea

Through Jan. 31, 2026, Margaritaville at Sea is offering up to 60% off cruise fares, free third and fourth guests on select dates, free stateroom upgrades on select dates, up to $800 in onboard credit, and up to 40% off pre-purchased onboard packages. The promotion is good on sailings aboard Islander and Paradise, as well as bookings for Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, which debuts in 2027.

MSC Cruises

Through Jan. 28, 2026, MSC Cruises is offering cruises from $199, plus up to $500 in onboard credit, and kids sail free on select sailings. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Lead rate of $199 is based on IB category. Additionally, from Jan. 13 to 27, cruisers can take advantage of a free balcony upgrade offer as well. Offer is valid for U.S. residents only and on new bookings only.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Through Feb. 9, 2026, travelers can save up to 20% on select 2026 and 2027 voyages across the globe.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is offering up to 30% off on sailings across all eight ships, as well as a choice of double shore excursion credit or unlimited drinks. The promotion also includes a 50% reduced deposit. Applicable on bookings made between Dec. 11, 2025, and March 4, 2026.

Paul Gauguin Cruises

This Wave Season Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering a “Take Your Sweetie to Tahiti” promotion that awards both travel advisors and their clients. Through Feb. 28, 2026, clients can receive $1,000 in shipboard credits per stateroom, along with a bottle of Champagned and a chocolate treat in their room, while advisors get up to a $500 gift card for each newly deposited booking. The promotion applies to all 2026 sailings on the m/s Paul Gauguin.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS

PONANT EXPLORATIONS is offering savings for travelers and a bonus incentive for travel advisors on its Smithsonian Journeys collection. Travelers who book any 2026 PONANT Smithsonian Journeys sailing will receive $1,000 in shipboard credit, while travel advisors will earn a $500 gift card for each newly deposited booking. This Wave Season offer runs through March 31, 2026, and is available on more than 30 sailings around the world.

Princess Cruises

Between Dec. 9, 2025, and Feb. 16, 2026, Princess is offering up to 40% off plus up to $500 instant savings per stateroom (the longer the cruise, the higher the savings), along with 50% off deposits, and free third and fourth guests on select sailings. The “Come Aboard Sale” spans 345 destinations, with voyages onboard every ship in the fleet.

Quark Expeditions

This Wave Season, Quark is offering travel advisors the chance to win one of six berths on an upcoming Arctic 2026 voyages. The contest, which is running across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America simultaneously, gives advisors in each region the opportunity to secure a spot on the company’s 14-day South Greenland Adventure, sailing from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11, 2026. To participate, advisors must register on the official sweepstakes entry page. To earn entries, advisor can by: booking a repeat Quark passenger (5 entries per passenger), make a 2026 booking (3 entries per passenger), make any other booking (2 entries per passenger), attend a Wave Season webinar (1 entry), and complete PolarPRO (1 entry).

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

This Wave Season, Regent Seven Seas is bringing back its “Upgrade Your Horizon” promotion, offering a free two-category suite upgrade (up to a Penthouse) and 50% reduced deposits across all destinations through April 2028. Select 2026 voyages also include a $500 shipboard credit. The promotion is available for new bookings made between Jan. 5 and Feb. 28, 2026, and applies to select voyages departing in 2026 and beyond.

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Guests who book a 2026 or 2027 Riverside crise by Feb. 28, 2026, will receive €150 per person in onboard credit. Travel advisors should use code WAVE26 when booking.

Riviera Travel

From Dec. 5, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, your clients can take advantage of up to 50% off per person on all 2026 and 2027 departures, $500 in airfare credits per person on 2026 departures, complimentary one-night pre- or post-cruise hotel stays on 2026 departures, and half-price deposits for 2026 departures.

Travel advisors also benefit. From Dec. 5, 2025, through Feb. 27, 2026, every new paid deposit on any 2026 or 2027 Riviera Travel river cruise automatically earns one entry into that week’s prize draw, plus the Grand Prize draw. Riviera Explorer graduates also receive double entries on every new booking during the allocated period. There is no entry limit (the more you book, the more chances to win). The weekly draw will include a variety of prizes, including luxury items up to $1,200 in value, while the Grand Prize will be a cruise for two in a French Balcony cabin on an eight-day sailing aboard the line’s newest ships, Riviera Resplendence, paired with up to $3,000 in complimentary airfare credit. (Prizes are non-transferable and winners are responsible for all incurred taxes.)

Royal Caribbean

Through the end of March, Royal Caribbean is offering savings of up to $1,000 off cruise fares. Additional offers running periodically during WAVE will include 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom sail free, plus up to 40% onboard extras including drink packages, Internet, and excursions on qualifying purchases made during WAVE.

Scenic

Through Feb. 1, 2026, Scenic is offering up to 30% savings per suite, plus 2-for-1 fares, up to $500 per person in nonrefundable savings (use code NONREF) when full payment is made within 48 hours booking, and a complimentary Flexible Booking Plan. The promotion is good on select river and yacht departures in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Sea Cloud Cruises

Sea Cloud is offering 50% off on select 2026 (15 sailings to choose from) and 30% savings on all 2027 voyages.

Seabourn Cruises

Seabourn has unveiled the “Explore More Event” featuring savings of up to 15% plus up to $1,000 shipboard credit on most 2026 through 2028 worldwide voyages. The promotion runs through Feb. 17, 2026.

Silver Ray cruise ship — *Photo: Silversea Cruises*

Silversea Cruises

From Dec. 3, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, Silversea is offering savings of up to 40% on more than 800 voyages across all seven continents. The offer – with savings amounts varying by suite category – also includes reduced deposits starting at 15% for guests booking the All-Inclusive Plus fare.

Swan Hellenic

From Dec. 9, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, Swan Hellenic is offering savings of up to $1,500 per guest, plus up to $500 onboard credit and free Wi-Fi upgrades on 2026/27 cruises worldwide (March 5, 2026, through Oct. 28, 2027). Bookings for groups of eight or more also earn additional credits and bonus amenity points for customizable experiences.

Travel advisors also benefit with up to $500 in bonus commission on every booking, plus elevated commission on bookings of groups of eight or more.

Trafalgar River Cruises

Through Feb. 27, 2026, Trafalgar is offering a $250 per person credit on air-inclusive 2026 river bookings, while select 2027 river departures include a complimentary cabin upgrade from Classic to Deluxe C. Additionally, guests can take advantage of a complimentary two-night Prague extension on the Best of the Danube itinerary, and 50% off the two-night Lucerne extension of the Best of the Rhine & Amsterdam. The sale is good for travel from now through Dec. 31, 2026.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

This Wave Season, Uniworld is celebrating its 50th anniversary with savings of up to 30% on select 2026 sailings when booked through Feb. 28, 2026.

Viking

Through Jan. 31, Viking is offering up to 35% off cruises, plus up to free international airfare, and a $25 deposit requirement for all itineraries. The promotion is good for river, ocean, and expedition voyages.

Windstar Cruises

From Dec. 17, 2025, to March 31, 2026, Windstar is offering a mix of value adds on select voyages departing through March 31, 2027. The promotion incudes a complimentary all-inclusive upgrade, a free pre-cruise hotel night (where available), hotel-to-yacht transfer, and up to $1,000 in onboard credit per guest.