Now is the best time of year to book a cruise, Miami. Here’s where to find the deals
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If you’re thinking of cruise in 2025, now is the time to book.
While advance-booking deals start appearing on Black Friday, cruise experts say the first two months of the new year is prime time for snagging a great price on sailings for the coming months.
“At this point, it’s likely the best time to book for a 2025 cruise,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor of CruiseCritic.com. “We’ll see cruise lines roll out similar deals and incentives sporadically throughout the year, but the benefit of booking during Wave Season is that you get dozens of deals across multiple lines. So you’re really able to compare what offers are out there and find the highest value for your needs.”
That may not necessarily mean you’ll get a rock-bottom price, says Miami’s Olga Ramudo, senior vice president for Florida and Latin America at Express Travel. But you will find incentives—such as reduced deposits, upgrades, onboard credits, two-for-one deals, free internet, discounts on fares from the third—and fourth guests, and even free airfare.
While 2024 likely smashed the 2023 total of 31.7 million ocean cruisers—both PortMiami and PortEverglades set new records— more than a dozen new ships are due out in 2025, with sizes ranging from fewer than 500 passengers (on the Ritz Carlton Luminara) to more than 6,700 (on MSC World.) “Cruise lines have big numbers to fill,” says Ramudo. “They want to get their bookings as early in the year as they can.”
At Cruise Critic, says McDaniel, “We like strong onboard credit offers, which can save you a lot of money onboard—something many people don’t think about when they’re booking a cruise. This can help you have a great cruise without the worry of overspending on things like shore tours or Wi-Fi.”
That doesn’t mean you’ll find deals or space on every sailing. AMAWaterways’ new itinerary on Colombia’s Magdalena River is nearly booked out until mid-summer. Sailings in the Galapagos, which limits ship size, also book quickly. Peak demand periods like spring break, summer vacation and end-of-the-year holidays book quickly on nearly all lines.
In fact, in a December call, Carnival Corp. told investors that ships across all its brands were nearly two-thirds booked for 2025. The company owns and operates Princess, Holland America, Carnival, Seabourn, Costa, Cunard and P&0.
Even during Wave Season, you can’t afford to dither. “Deals and promotions are not forever, so if you see something interesting, be prepared to act fast,” advises Chris Chiames, chief communications officer for Carnival Cruise Line. “Sometimes they are designed to create immediate interest and demand. Other times, the consumer reaction is so strong that the inventory sells out quickly.”
If you’re keen on a specific bucket-list trip that’s already booking out for 2025, it might be time to book for 2026, he says.
Below are some of the deals currently on offer. Pro tips: Check the fine print; promotions usually apply only to new bookings and come with some restrictions. River cruise lines are also offering deals.
LARGE SHIPS
Carnival is offering a series of flash sales. Sign up for email to find out about them.
On Celebrity Cruises, guests can save up to 75% on the second guest in their stateroom, plus up to $600 in additional savings, on select sailings. Its newest ship Celebrity Xcel, debuts in November.
Cunard offers $800 per stateroom onboard credit for sailings to destinations include Alaska, Europe, via the Panama Canal and beyond. Its new 3,000-passenger ship, Queen Anne, launched this month.
Family-oriented Disney Cruise Line offers reduced deposits, discounts on select sailings and 20% off for Florida residents. The 4,000-passenger Disney Destiny sets sail in November on Caribbean cruises. The following month, the 6,000-passenger Disney Adventure (featuring the longest rollercoaster at sea) is set to launch in Singapore.
Holland America Line will give you 25% off your fare, upgrade your cabin and add a $400 per cabin credit. While it won’t bring a new ship online this year, Holland America is debuting a new seven-night Great Bear Rainforest itinerary in Alaska.
Through Jan. 20, MSC Cruises is offering up to 35% off cruise fares and free passage for two children staying in their parents’ cabin. In April, it will launch the 6,700-passenger MSC World Cruise America, which will sail from Miami.
NCL also has a series of flash sales -- such as 50% off fares and free airfare -- that change regularly. Sign up for email alerts. The 3,570-passenger Norwegian Aqua launches in March.
Princess Cruises offers up to 40% off cruise fares, free room upgrades, $99 deposits and free sailings for 3rd and 4th guests in the same stateroom. It’s new 4,300-passenger Star Princess is set for launch in October.
Royal Caribbean is offering 60% off a second-guest fare and free passage for two children in their parents’ cabin, plus onboard credit. Star of the Seas, which carries 5,600 passengers, launches in August.
On all-adult Virgin Voyages, the second sailor in the same stateroom gets 80% off. In addition, it is offering a $300 per cabin drinks credit. The 2,700-passenger Brilliant Lady debuts this fall; it will sail from Miami from October to April 2026.
SMALL / LUXURY SHIPS
Through Feb. 2, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers 30% off plus a $600 onboard credit on select expeditions.
- Azamara offers up to $1,000 in shipboard credit for bookings made by Feb. 28.
Emerald Cruises is offering two-for-one fares and included airfare.
Explora Journeys, MSC’s upscale, small ship line, offers reduced deposits, a $1,000 credit toward destination experiences, and other savings on select sailings with bookings made before Feb. 28.
Lindblad Expeditions, long-time partner with National Geographic, offers expedition credits of up to $2000 plus solo savings for bookings before March 4. Included are expeditions to Antarctica, the Galapagos and Central America.
Oceania Cruises offers a four-class cabin upgrade plus either free airfare or an onboard credit of up to $1,000 per cabin. It will launch the new 1,200-passenger Oceania Allura in July.
Seabourn offers up to 15% savings, reduced deposits and up to $1,000 per suite credit for new bookings made by Feb. 18 for expedition and classic voyages on itineraries including Japan, northern Europe and Alaska.
Through Feb. 28, Silversea’s “Reasons to Sale” offers savings of up to USD $5,000 per suite or up to $2,500 per guest on itineraries worldwide including expedition sailings.
Through Jan. 31, Viking Ocean Cruises is offering fares from $1,999 per person and up to free international airfare on select ocean itineraries, as well as a $25 deposit. It’s 1,000-passenger Viking Vesta launches this summer.
Through March 31, Windstar’s Pick Your Perk promotion offers options of a one-night hotel stay pre or post cruise or a $1,000-per-cabin onboard credit.
