Why you should book your 2026 cruise NOW

From January 1st to about March 31st your social media is going to be filled with travel agents advertising Wave Season. They’ll tell you about the great deals that you’ll find (and trust me they’re going to be good), and why now is the time to book your future cruise travel. What they usually won’t tell you is what Wave Season is, and why you should consider booking your travel during it.   

First let’s start with what Wave Season is and is not…it’s not discounts on cruises because the waves are bigger, the seas are rougher and it’s harder to fill ships. It is an industry wide “wave” of sales, promotions on extras, incentives like on board credit and more in an attempt to make sure every ship sailing throughout the new year is filled to the brim. It is steep discounts on more expensive times to sail, like summer and spring break and even steeper discounts on “off peak” times to sail like mid-winter or early fall. It is not a bad joke about the ocean waving at the beach or waving goodbye to those on shore with the discounts you scored (though if we make those puns on our social media, don’t judge us too hard). 

So why book your cruise travel during wave season? The obvious answer is the discounts and the incentives. I know you’re thinking, but I just shelled out all this money making a magical holiday for my family, do I really have the money to put down on a vacation. The answer may be no, but the earlier you book your family vacation in the year, the longer you do have to pay it off. That means smaller payments throughout the year, which is more comfortable than one large lump sum because you booked last minute.  Wave season bookings also give you more motivation to work on those New Years Resolutions! Financial responsibility, while still enjoying life…check! A strong motivator to stick to the diet or exercise plan…check! More quality time with family…check! A new hobby (yes, we consider cruising a hobby at this point) …check!  

If you’re ready to wave hello (sorry I had to) to your next cruise vacation, make sure you reach out to your preferred Carry on the Magic travel advisor soon, before we wave goodbye to these amazing offers.