I’m a cruise expert and these are the 14 best deals for 2026

Travel
9 Jul 2026 • 11:10 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

I’m a cruise expert and these are the 14 best deals for 2026

Lured by iconic cities and beautiful beaches, an increasing numbers of travellers are choosing a cruise for their holiday – and you can still bag a bargain for this year and beyond.

Passengers are spoilt for choice, with several new ships now on the water. Royal Caribbean’s latest Star of the Seas and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady hit the water in August 2025, while Princess Cruises Star Princess launched last October.

Guests can choose from convenient UK departures with brands such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess, P&O Cruises and Disney Cruise Line. Alternatively, there are plenty of fly-cruise options to travel the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and beyond.

The cruise industry’s traditional sales period – known as wave season – runs from January until the end of March but there are still decent deals available now.

It is also worth keeping an eye on your favourite cruise line’s website as deals can change regularly.

Here are some of the best cruise deals for wave season and beyond to catch a top cabin in 2026 or to plan ahead as far as 2028.

Best cruise deals 2026

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador Cruise Line is offering up to 20 per cent off sailings when booked by 29 July.

The offer is available on departures in 2026, 2027 and 2028 for short breaks and for cruises of up to 14 nights.

Guests can sail on Ambassador’s 13-night Solar Eclipse Cruise around the Arctic region, departing from Dundee, from £1,754 per person.

Book now

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is offering up to 60 per cent off a second guest in the same cabin, plus European flights from £199 per person.

The cruise line is also offering savings worth up to £600 on European sailings depending on the length of the cruise.

Guests can save £80 on an Inside or Ocean view cabin on a three to five-night sailing, rising to £150 for the Balcony and Aqua category and £300 on Retreat suites.

Passengers sailing for six nights or longer can get £120 off per Inside or Ocean view cabin, £250 for a Balcony or Aqua room or £600 in the Retreat.

The offer applies to cruises departing until 30 April 2028, including on the cruise line’s newest ship, Celebrity Xcel.

Book now

Read more: How to avoid getting seasick on a cruise

Cunard is offering luxury cruising with extra spending money (Cunard)

Cunard

Guests can get £200 off a balcony cabin and $250 (£186) of onboard credit with Cunard on select sailings across its fleet including in the Norwegian fjords and transatlantic voyages.

Bookings need to be made by 31 August for sailings in 2027 and 2028.

Book now

Explora Journeys

Luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys is offering savings of up to £3,000 when booking its Ocean Terrace Suites.

Bookings need to be made by 28 July for sailings until 19 November 2026.

For example, you could sail on the cruise line’s newest ship Explora III for eight nights from Miami to San Juan on 20 December for £3,800 per person instead of £5,650 each.

Book now

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has launched a “Fly and Cruise Caribbean” offer for its 2026/27 season.

Guests booking until 31 August 2026 can get air credit worth £600 per person, a free one-night pre cruise hotel stay and free return transfers from the airport, hotel and ship.

The deal applies to more than 120 Caribbean cruises sailing from October to April covering the eastern, western or southern Caribbean, as well as the Panama Canal, with select calls taking in Belize and Mexico.

Holland America has six ships in the Caribbean for its Caribbean season, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Volendam and Zuiderdam, with iteniraries ranging from seven to 21 days. Prices start from £899 per person.

Book now

Read more: Best cruises for teenagers

HX Expeditions

HX Expeditions is offering 25 per cent off or a complimentary suite upgrade on its 2026 Antarctica departures to mark its 130th anniversary this summer.

The expedition cruise line’s Highlights of Antarctica sailing now starts from £7,576 per person, compared with £10,999 per person previously, on select departures between October and December 2026.

The price includes all meals and select drinks, guided activities, tips, wifi, expedition gear and a professional photo log of your trip.

Book now

Marella Cruises

Marella is offering passengers savings of up to £200 per booking on selected sailings departing until 30 April 2027.

Deals include a repositioning cruise from Gran Canaria to the Caribbean, departing on 26 April 2027 from £1,978 per person.

Book now

Read more: How to save hundreds of pounds when booking a cruise

Norwegian Luna's bright hull shines on the water in the Caribbean (Marc Shoffman)

Norwegian Cruise Line

Fares are on offer from £699 per person on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) sailings, including on the new Norwegian Luna.

Guests booking a balcony can also get up to £250 of airfare credit per person towards European flights and can upgrade to NCL’s “More at Sea” package for wifi, drinks and speciality dining from £249 per person.

Book now

Oceania

Culinary-focused luxury cruise brand Oceania, which recently launched a new ship Allura, is currently offering up to 50 per cent off on more than 150 sailings across 2026 and 2027.

Guests can also choose from complimentary wine and beer or shore excursions.

Offers include a seven-day sailing from Barcelona to Rome aboard the newest ship in the fleet, Oceania Allura, from £2,272 per person.

Guests need to book by 8 September 2026.

Book now

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is offering customers who have previously sailed with them 10 per cent off their next booking.

The offer is available until 3 August and can be used on sailings between 1 October 2026 and 30 March 2028.

Book now

Marc Shoffman found plenty to love aboard the new Star Princess cruise ship (Marc Shoffman)

Princess

Guests can get up to £750 off select voyages ranging from UK departures to Alaska and Caribbean sailings.

Bookings must be made by 14 July but you can choose voyages that sail in 2027 and 2028.

Deals include an 11-day Greek island sailing aboard Sun Princess that departs from Athens on 25 August 2027 with fares starting from £1,889 per person, a £300 discount.

Book now

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean regularly launches flash sales for short periods so it is worth signing up to its newsletters so you don’t miss out.

The cruise brand is currently offering up to $186 (£140) to spend on board all 2027 sailings.

Book now

Virgin Voyages is offering numerous discounts across its sailings (Virgin Voyages)

Virgin Voyages

Fans of Virgin Voyages can currently benefit from 70 per cent off a second “sailor” as well as an upgrade to a balcony and a $500 (£375) bar tab.

The deal is available on sailings until 10 April 2028. Itineraries include the cruise line’s seven-night Comedy Fest aboard Valiant Lady. It departs from Portsmouth on 20 August for a northern Europe round trip and prices currently start at £946 per person. Acts include Milton Jones and Lucy Beaumont.

Book now

Viva Cruises

River cruise operator Viva Cruises is offering free cabin upgrades on selected three to four-night sailings.

The Cabin Upgrade Special is valid for bookings made between now and 15 August 2026 for depatures between January and March 2027.

Cabin upgrades will be made up to the next cabin category.

Book now

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