The “Black Friday of Cruising,” Wave Season 2026, has arrived early this year. In the travel industry, we recognize that this is the prime booking window between January and March when cruise lines roll out their most aggressive offers of the year. But for 2026, the wave has already started cresting in December, giving savvy travelers a head start on the best staterooms before the general public rush begins in January.
If you are looking to lock in a 2026 or 2027 vacation, now is the moment. We are seeing massive incentives ranging from “Kids Sail Free” to heavy discounts on second sailors.
Here are the top 4 early Wave Season promotions available right now at Mouse One Travel.
Royal Caribbean: The “Dash for Deals” Wave Season 2026 Flash Sale
As Big as Family Vacations Get
Best For: Families and Multi-Generational Groups
Royal Caribbean is stacking multiple offers together for a massive value proposition, but you need to move fast to catch the “Dash for Deals” window.
- The Core Offer: 60% Off the 2nd Guest (BOGO60) and Kids Sail Free on select sailings.
- The “Dash for Deals” Bonus: If you book between December 18–22, 2025, you can score up to $850 in Instant Savings per stateroom (varies by category and sailing length).
- Why Book Now: The “Kids Sail Free” offer is perfect for families planning ahead for school breaks, and the extra instant savings from the flash sale makes this week the sweet spot for maximum value.
- Booking Window: Ends January 1, 2026 (Flash Sale ends Dec 22, 2025)
Virgin Voyages: 80% Off Second Sailor + Free Drinks
The Gift You Give Yourself
Best For: Couples, Adult Friend Groups, and “Kid-Free” Escapes
Virgin Voyages continues to shake up the industry with one of the most straightforward and lucrative offers we’ve seen.
- The Deal: Buy one sailor, get the 2nd sailor 80% off (effectively 40% off the total cabin fare).
- The Bonus: A Free Bar Tab of up to $400 per cabin depending on your voyage length.
- 10+ Nights: $400 Bar Tab
- 6-9 Nights: $300 Bar Tab
- 4-5 Nights: $100 Bar Tab
- Eligible Cabins: Applies to Sea Terrace cabins and Rockstar Suites.
- Booking Window: Now through January 29, 2026
Princess Cruises: Up to 40% Off + Free 3rd & 4th Guests
Come Aboard
Best For: Families of 4 and Long-Duration Travelers
Princess is making it incredibly affordable to bring the whole family or take that bucket-list extended voyage.
- The Deal: Up to 40% off cruise fares and 50% off deposits.
- Family Value: Free 3rd and 4th guests in the same stateroom (pay only taxes and fees). This is a game-changer for families sharing a cabin.
- Instant Savings: Get up to $500 in Instant Savings per stateroom.
- Examples: Longer voyages (17+ days) in a Suite/Mini-Suite receive the full $500 savings, while shorter getaways still qualify for savings starting at $25.
- Booking Window: Now through February 16, 2026
Celebrity Cruises: Exclusive Early Access
Take 75% Off 2nd Guest + Bonus Savings
Best For: Couples, Groups, and Future Planners (Booking out to 2028)
Celebrity has just launched a massive “Semi-Annual Sale” that rewards you for booking non-refundable rates and timing your booking correctly during the week.
- The Core Deal: 75% Off the 2nd Guest when you book a non-refundable deposit rate (or 50% off for refundable rates).
- Family Bonus: 3rd & 4th Guests Sail Free on select sailings, making this a rare opportunity for families to experience modern luxury for less.
- Weekly Rotating Bonuses: The deal gets sweeter depending on when you book during the week:
- Fri–Mon: Get up to $700 Bonus Savings per stateroom.
- Tue–Wed: Get up to $600 Bonus Savings per stateroom.
- Thu: Get up to $600 Onboard Credit (OBC) to spend on the ship.
- Flash Sales: Watch for extra “Weekend Flash Sales” and “Book Now Bonuses” that can add another $100 Instant Savings on top of the offers above.
- Booking Window: Now through April 6, 2026 (Travel dates open through May 2028!)
Ready to Ride the Wave?
These early Wave Season offers are capacity-controlled, meaning the best suites and itineraries (especially for the “Kids Sail Free” and “Free 3rd/4th Guest” offers) will sell out first.
Contact Mouse One Travel today to secure these rates before the general public rush in January!
