Best time to buy a luxury cruise as lines discount up to 50% on all included journeys

• You can save up to 50 per cent on Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
• Save up to $4000 per suite and get $500 onboard credit with Crystal.
• Save up to $7000 with $500 onboard credit with Silversea.

There has never been a better time to snatch a luxury cruise at a bargain price as several lines have cut their fares by up to 50 per cent”

Crystal Cruises summed up the season saying: “Sensational savings is back.”

Crystal has shaved $4000 per suite off the cost of a cruise and thrown in an extra $500 onboard credit for every suite.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has discounted cruise fares between 30 and 50 per cent for 75 sailings in 2025 and 2026.

But hurry, you have to book by 30 June 2025.

Silversea has also joined the bandwagon. You can now save up to $7000 and enjoy $500 shipboard credit on the luxury line, but you have to book by 31 May 2025.

Prices for a seven-day itinerary, round-trip from Athens aboard Silver Muse start from $9100 pp – down from $11,100 pp. The cruise departs on 13 June 2025 and will visit seven ports, including Crete, Rhodes and Mykonos.

For wine lovers, this is your chance to save up to 50 per cent on Regent when you book a 12-night itinerary from Tieste to Barcelona for $7765 pp – half the original asking price of $15,530 pp – saving you $8525 pp. The cruise aboard Seven Seas Mariner departs on 22 October 2025.

For foodies, Regent has a sailing with Michelin-starred Chef Alain Roux who transforms the Culinary Arts Kitchen into his private cooking school. This sailing from Athens to Barcelona is on Seven Seas Splendor departing August 11, 2025 for 12 nights with up to 75 shore excursions included.  

You can also go on a 16-night Bali to Sydney cruise aboard Seven Seas Explorer with prices starting at $10,758 per person – down from $21,500pp – a saving of 50 per cent. The cruise departs on 12 December 2025 – and you spend Christmas at sea.

And you can also save up to 50 per cent off one of the favourite routes – from Sydney to Auckland aboard Seven Seas Explorer departing 28 December 2025. Prices for the 15-night cruise, including up to 39 shore excursions, are now down to $16,568 pp from $22,090 pp for a deluxe veranda suite.

Crystal is offering a saving of up to $6000 per suite if you book a 10-night Rome to Marseille itinerary aboard Crystal Symphony with prices down to $8900pp from $10,400 pp. The cruise departs on 21 October 2025.

There is also a seven-night, round-trip cruise for golf aficionados from New York City aboard Crystal Serenity with savings of up to $6000 per suite. You now pay $7500 pp, down from $9000 pp.  The cruise departs on 30 September 2025. You will be able to rub shoulders with golf superstars such as Larry Nelson and Bernard Gallacher as you sail the stunning coasts of New England and Canada.

Crystal is offering a 10-night Mumbai to Mahe cruise aboard Crystal Symphony priced at $6200 pp – down from $7700 pp – a saving of up to $6000 per suite. The cruise will sail from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and Colombo to the pristine coral islands of the Maldives and the Seychelles.

Why are all these lines suddenly on sale? January and February are traditionally known as the “wave season” in the cruise industry. During this period, cruise lines often announce promotions to encourage early bookings and “base load” their ships for the year.

These promotions can include discounted fares, cabin upgrades, onboard credits, and more. While wave season is earlier in the year, some of these offers may still be available or have been extended.  

Like airlines and hotels, cruise lines aim for high occupancy rates. If a particular sailing has unsold cabins closer to the departure date, they may offer discounts to fill those spaces rather than sail with empty rooms.

Cruise lines often reward passengers who book well in advance with lower prices and better cabin selection. This helps them secure bookings and plan their logistics.

Conversely, cruise lines may offer last-minute deals on remaining cabins to ensure the ship sails at or near full capacity. However, luxury cruises may be less prone to deep last-minute discounts compared to mainstream lines.

The discounts being advertised right now could be a continuation of wave season promotions, efforts to fill specific sailings shortly, or targeted campaigns for the upcoming summer or fall travel periods.

The booking deadlines mentioned (end of May and June 2025) suggest these are limited-time offers to encourage bookings within that timeframe for voyages in the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

It’s always advisable to compare offers from different luxury cruise lines and consider factors like the itinerary, inclusions, and your personal preferences to find the best value for your desired cruise experience.