ArcaMax

Ready to catch a wave? I’m not talking about surfing, though that would be fun. I’m talking about the cruise industry’s Wave Season which lasts into March and offers the best deals of the year, whether you are looking for a small expedition ship, one suitable for a multigenerational group, for adults without kids, a river cruise or a megaship with all the bells and whistles. (A zipline or massive waterslide, perhaps?)

During Wave Season, “the cruise lines really roll out the perks to help sweeten the deals and encourage booking. For travelers, it’s a great time to compare deals across a wide variety of lines, to see which deal is best for their needs,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic.

Expect everything from reduced fares and onboard credit to complimentary beverage packages, Wi-Fi, or cabin upgrades. Kids sail free, or reduced fares for third or fourth passengers are also quite popular with family friendly lines, McDaniel continued. (Link to current deals gathered by Cruise Critic here.)

If you are traveling with kids or teens, (third and fourth passenger in a cabin free) check deals from Holland America, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

Each deal is a little different and won’t be available on every sailing or throughout Wave Season, as the cruise lines change up the deals. The best way to stay current is to follow on social media.

Royal Caribbean has deals where the second guest is 50 percent off and kids sail free. You can also use on-board credits for a room upgrade with Royal Up, a bid-based program.

Celebrity Cruises, popular with those traveling with older kids, is touting 75 percent off the second guest and free fares for third, fourth and fifth guests on select sailings on itineraries through May 2028. See the deals here.

Princess Cruise Line, known for Alaska, Japan, as well as other destinations around the world, is especially popular for families. The “Come Aboard” deal not only includes kids free, but up to 40 percent off fares and up to $500 instant savings. (Book by Feb. 16.)

Many multigenerational groups like Holland America for their mid-sized ships, culinary and cultural focus. Holland America’s "Start Your Journey” promotion, available on more than 500 cruises to Alaska, Europe and beyond includes discounts, upgrades, reduced deposits, free kids fares and onboard and shore excursion credits (Book by Jan. 31, 2026, and receive onboard credit of up to $250 per person, plus up to $200 in Alaska shore excursion credits per stateroom on eligible 2026 Alaska cruises.)

AAA projects 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises in 202 6, a 4.5 percent increase over the 20.7 million AAA projected for 2025. Twenty percent are traveling with kids. Many are also traveling with adult kids, other relatives and multigenerational groups. On Carnival Cruise Lines, for example, I’ve met many large family reunion groups.

Whether you are a veteran cruiser or a newbie, this is one time to work with a travel adviser. Choosing the right cruise line – even the right cabin configuration – for your group can be complicated. And travel advisers who are cruise experts can often get you extra perks. (Find one near your home from the Cruise Lines International Association.)

“Many families are now recognizing the convenience factor across the industry, including on river cruises and more luxury vessels,” said Cruise Critic’s Colleen McDaniel. “If you're traveling to Europe, for example, a river cruise can be a really fantastic way of seeing a wide variety of destinations with children in tow. And for travelers who prefer a more elevated, intimate travel experience than you might find on a more mainstream line, luxury ships can be a fantastic option, particularly for families traveling with older kids.”

There are plenty of wave season deals for those as well. For example, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is celebrating its 50th anniversary with savings of up to 30 percent on select 2026 sailings with its 50th Anniversary Sale, including some Generations cruises with special programming for kids. Families like river cruises because they are small, all-inclusive, including excursions and stops at places where you can explore right off the boat rather than riding in a bus for an hour. Here is what I wrote about an AmaWaterways Rhine River Cruise last summer. AmaWaterways has partnerships with Adventures by Disney and the adventure company Backroads that are geared for families. Check their current deals here.

Consider small expedition ships like those cruises offered from AdventureSmith Explorations. For example, you could save $500 per person on Alaska adventure cruises. And while the price may be higher than on a big ship (starting at roughly $4,400), the trips are all-inclusive; you won’t be paying for pricey excursions.

HX Expeditions’ 2026 Wave Season promotion, offers up to $4,000 off all-inclusive expedition cruises to Antarctica, Greenland, the Galápagos, Alaska, Svalbard, Northwest Passage & Arctic Canada and Norway while National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ “The Expedition That Started It All – Anniversary Sale” is touting up to 20 per savings on select 2026-27 voyages across the globe when booked by Feb. 9, 2026. (There are special junior explorer programs on board.)

Those traveling with those 18 or older might be interested in Virgin Voyages. You can get 80 percent off the second guest plus up to a $400 bar tab, as long as you book by Jan. 29. (The deal is automatically applied at checkout. I met many parent-young adult groups when we sailed with them.)

A yacht, perhaps? A s mall ship? Cruise Croatia, which sails along the Adriatic Coast, is offering savings of up to $500 per cabin on select 2026 sailings. (Book by Feb. 28.)

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.)

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