What Is Wave Season—and Why It’s the Best Time to Book Your Next Vacation
If you’ve ever heard the term Wave Season and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. Wave Season is the most exciting—and often the most rewarding—time of year to book travel, especially cruises and packaged vacations.
Wave Season typically runs from January through March, when cruise lines and vacation suppliers release their best promotions of the year. Think discounted fares, reduced deposits, onboard credits, free perks, and limited-time incentives you won’t see later in the year.
In short: this is when smart travelers book.
Why Wave Season Matters
Cruise lines and vacation companies know this is when travelers are most motivated to plan future trips. To stand out, they compete aggressively—meaning better value for you.
During Wave Season, you may see:
Lower cruise fares
Free or reduced deposits
Onboard credit
Included gratuities, Wi-Fi, or beverage packages
Extra perks for booking early
And the earlier you book, the more choice you have—better stateroom locations, preferred resorts, and prime travel dates.
It’s Not Just Cruises—Vacations Benefit Too
While Wave Season is best known in the cruise world, many all-inclusive resorts, escorted tours, and vacation packages also offer early-booking incentives during this time. If a vacation is on your wish list for later this year or even next year, Wave Season is when those plans should start taking shape.
Why Booking With a Travel Advisor Matters—Especially Now
Here’s the truth: booking during Wave Season can be overwhelming. There are countless promotions, fine print, and deadlines—and not all “deals” are created equal.
That’s where I come in.
When you work with a travel advisor:
You don’t have to sort through confusing offers
You get guidance on which promotions are actually a good value
You have someone watching deadlines, price drops, and policy changes
You have an advocate before, during, and after your trip
And most importantly—if something goes wrong while you’re traveling, you’re not stuck on hold with a call center. You have a real person in your pocket, ready to help resolve issues so you can keep enjoying your vacation.
Vacations are meant to be relaxing—not stressful.
Travel With Confidence (and Less Stress)
I truly love what I do. Helping clients plan trips, navigate options, and travel with confidence is not just my job—it’s my passion. I want your vacation to be memorable for all the right reasons.
Wave Season is the perfect time to start planning, locking in value, and setting yourself up for an amazing experience.
Ready to Ride the Wave?
If you’ve been thinking about a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or future vacation, now is the time to reach out. Let’s talk about your travel goals, take advantage of Wave Season offers, and create a trip that fits your style—without the stress.
Contact me today and let’s start planning.
I would love to help you make your next vacation effortless, exciting, and unforgettable.
About Melissa
I’m Melissa Ragazzi—travel advisor, cruise enthusiast, and the owner of Wanders by Melissa Vacation Planning. As an empty nester, my husband Brian and I love to cruise as often as possible—especially since we can both work remotely and truly live by the motto “have Wi-Fi, will travel.” I help families, couples, and groups plan vacations that are fun, intentional, and easy from start to finish. From cruises and theme parks to all-inclusive resorts and custom itineraries, I specialize in unforgettable experiences in Alaska, Europe, and the Mediterranean—some of my personal favorites. My goal is to take the overwhelm out of planning and replace it with excitement and confidence, so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
Melissa@wandersbymelissa.com | WANDERSBYMELISSA.COM | 601-540-7336
