Taking the Kids: Getting a terrific wave season deal on all kinds of cruises – 10+ deals | Taking The Kids | Columns

Croisi-Europe has just initiated a new multigenerational travel discount program where the second cabin is 20 percent off and kids under 16 cruise free. (The single supplement is also waived for an adult sharing with a child.)

Ama Waterways is touting a complimentary pre-or post-cruise two- to four-night land package on select Europe river cruises this year and next while Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is bringing back its Cruise + Air offer, offering savings of up to $3,000 for customers that purchase cruise and air together on select 2024 itineraries, including their family-oriented Generations sailings, as long as you book by the end of January.

For those seeking a more traditional cruise experience, Holland America, which has been named the Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association and boasts courts on every ship, is offering a “ Time of Your Life” incentive that features balcony upgrades, savings up to 40 percent on select sailings, and free fares for kids through Feb. 29, 2024.

Norwegian Cruise Line, with 19 ships and known for family friendly activities (how about the first racetrack at sea!) is touting the second guest free (and on some cruises, third and fourth passengers for $99), free airfare on select cruises, and Free at Sea deal, which includes free drinks, specialty dining, shore excursion credits and Wi-Fi.

Princess Cruises is offering up to 40 percent off cruise fares, free room upgrades, plus third and fourth guests (read that kids) sail free. Some sailings are as low as $399. Save more by adding Princess Plus and Princess Premier, which include amenities like Wi-Fi, beverages, desserts, fitness classes, crew gratuities and more at a deep discount.

Celestyal Cruises, especially known for their Greek Island and Mediterranean cruises, is offering up to 70 percent off for kids traveling as third and fourth passengers. There are deals for under $1,000 per person.

If you are traveling without kids ( as we did ) or with grown kids, Virgin Voyages, which just starting sailing in Australia, is offering 70 percent off the second sailor plus up to $600 in a bar tab, depending on the length of the voyage, which can be used also for specialty coffees. In the summer of 2025, the brand will debut 21 new ports across its global fleet, including Reykjavik (Iceland), Naples (Italy), and Dublin (Ireland).

Empty-nesters, as well as grandparents traveling with their children and (older) grandchildren, appreciate that Regent Seven Seas is all-inclusive, including shore excursions — and wave season deals that include upgrades, 50 percent reduced deposits and up to 20 percent savings. Get a complimentary pre-cruise hotel with certain cabins.

Foodies will love Celebrity Cruises, which for the first time is offering long weekends in the Caribbean and 75 percent off the fare of the second guest on sailings from now until April 30, 2026. Those booking on select dates will also receive $200 to spend on board.

Bon voyage!

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kid’s Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kid’s Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)