Wave Season brings competitive discounts, added perks and special promotions for those finalizing 2026 cruise plans–some with short windows and bundled benefits.
Wave Hello to HX Expeditions
HX Expeditions’ Wave Season promotion offers savings of up to $4,000 per person on all-inclusive expedition journeys to destinations such as Antarctica, Greenland, the Galapagos, Alaska, Svalbard, the Northwest Passage, Arctic Canada and Norway. The See the World sale runs through Mar. 23, 2026, and also provides a $250 onboard credit or an additional discount for Galapagos and Norway sailings.
The offer covers selected departures from 2026 through 2028 and features some of HX’s most sought-after itineraries. The 12-day Highlights of Antarctica voyage gives travelers the essential polar experience, combining expert-led excursions and wildlife encounters across ice-covered landscapes.
The Galapagos Islands Expedition Cruise—Nine of the Best Isles—spans 11 days, introducing the region’s extraordinary biodiversity through guided exploration with local naturalists. The 8-day Ultimate Norway—Arctic Expedition Under the Northern Lights departs during the solar maximum of 2026, a peak opportunity for observing auroral displays. Participants experience Norway’s tradition of friluftsliv, or open-air living, as they sail along flexible routes that follow favorable conditions. In Greenland, the 17-day Grand Greenland—Mythical Lands of the North expedition travels through the Thule region and remote northern communities while covering the area’s history, geology and Inuit culture.
For more information, visit hxexpeditions.com.
Aurora Expeditions
Aurora Expeditions is marking 35 years in expedition cruising with a limited-time anniversary promotion offering up to 35 percent off selected sailings in 2026 and 2027. The company, founded in Australia in 1991 by mountaineer Greg Mortimer, has built its reputation on taking travelers to remote regions through small-ship exploration and expert-led itineraries.
The anniversary offer applies to voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic, and other small-ship routes that focus on environmentally responsible travel and local engagement. Aurora operates purpose-built vessels designed for polar navigation, with onboard teams that include scientists, historians and field specialists. Each voyage aims to balance adventure with education and conservation awareness. In Antarctica, the offer applies to sailings such as Spirit of Antarctica, running Feb. 27– Mar. 10, 2027, featuring Zodiac landings and wildlife viewing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Wild Antarctica, featuring the Weddell Sea, Mar. 2–14, 2027, explores the region’s dramatic ice shelves and habitats of emperor penguins, supported by input from New Scientist Discovery Tours.
The South Georgia, Falklands & Antarctic Odyssey, Mar. 9–29, 2027, combines three of the Southern Ocean’s most noted destinations for wildlife observation. In Shackleton’s Footsteps, scheduled Nov. 8–27, 2026, retraces the route of the legendary explorer while reflecting on his crew’s original expedition and its place in polar history. The 35th anniversary promotion is available for bookings on select departures.
For more information, visit aurora-expeditions.com.
MSC Cruises has rolled out two separate early 2026 promotions with distinct booking periods and incentives. The January Wave Offer, open from Jan. 7 through Jan. 15, offers cruise fares at seasonal low rates, up to $500 in onboard credit and free sailings for children. The offer applies to select departures across the fleet, including itineraries from Florida ports to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Running for a shorter time frame, the Flash Sale is valid only from Jan. 7 through Jan. 9. This promotion features reduced fares starting at a lower entry price point, plus free child sailings on eligible voyages.
Both offers apply to cruises such as the 4-night spring itinerary aboard MSC Seaside departing from Miami and the fall sailing aboard MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral. Travelers who add WiFi and drink packages at the time of booking can further increase their overall value. Each promotion supports family-focused travel with flexible options and bundled inclusions on modern ships designed for year-round warm-weather itineraries.
For more information, visit msccruiseusa.com.
PONANT Explorations has a limited-time Wave Season offer in collaboration with Smithsonian Journeys, extending one thousand dollars in shipboard credit per stateroom or suite across all 2026 voyages.
The promotion runs through Mar. 31, 2026, and applies to more than 30 global sailings developed with the Smithsonian Institution’s research expertise and PONANT’s long-standing background in expedition cruising. Each sailing will feature two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, professionals in fields such as anthropology, ecology, and history, who will lead educational sessions and discussions designed to add depth to each destination. The itineraries range from the coastlines of Vietnam and the Weddell Sea to the Mediterranean, South Africa, Indonesia and the Great Lakes, with excursions included at every port. Guests can apply the shipboard credit to optional enhancements, including spa services, premium beverages, or onboard retail purchases.
The fleet combines purpose-built design and all-inclusive service that covers dining, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, WiFi and transfers at embarkation and disembarkation. Ships feature private balconies and dining programs created in partnership with DUCASSE Conseil, led by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse. Voyages include itineraries such as Coastal Vietnam by Sea departing Feb. 8, 2026; Panama and Costa Rica by Sea departing Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, 2026; and South Africa and Namibia by Sea departing Mar. 19, 2026, among others, extending through Oct. 2026.
For more information, visit ponant.com.
