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The summer holiday season may be over, but there are plenty of cruise deals around if you want to start planning October half-term, winter sun trips, or even get ahead for next year. It’s been a great summer for cruising, with new ship launches and chances to see the solar eclipse at sea.
Passengers are spoilt for choice, with several new ships now on the water, including Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas and Explora Journeys’ newest luxury vessel Explora III. Older cruise ships also offer plenty of charm and character.
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 to book a top cabin in 2026 or plan ahead to 2028.
Read more: The best Christmas market cruises
Best cruise deals 2026
Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line is offering up to £800 of onboard credit for sailings in September if you fancy a last-minute deal.
The cruise line will provide £25 of credit for sailings of up to six nights in an inside cabin, rising to £50 for an outside view, £75 for a balcony cabin and £100 for a suite.
For sailings of between seven and 13 nights, passengers can get credit of £50 per inside cabin, £100 for an ocean view, £150 for a balcony and £200 in a suite.
The credit rises to £400 for a suite on sailings between 14 and 18 nights, and £600 for 19 to 30 nights. You will need to sail in a suite for more than 31 nights to get the full £800 credit.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is offering up to 35 per cent off cabins, plus up to £200 off European flights and £800 in savings.
Guests can save £100 on an Inside or Ocean View cabin on a three- to five-night sailing, rising to £200 for the Balcony and Aqua category, and £300 on Retreat suites.
Passengers sailing for six nights or longer can get £150 off an Inside or Ocean View cabin, £250 off a Balcony or Aqua room, or £550 off a Retreat suite.
The offer applies to cruises departing until 30 April 2029, including on the cruise line’s newest ship, Celebrity Xcel.
Read more: How to avoid getting seasick on a cruise
Explora Journeys
Luxury cruise brand Explora Journeys is offering up to 30 per cent off cruises booked by 27 October, plus a reduced 10 per cent deposit.
For example, you could sail on the cruise line’s newest ship Explora III for eight nights from Miami to San Juan on 6 December for £3,450 per person instead of £4,600 each.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has launched a “Have It All Early Booking Bonus” for 2027 cruises.
Guests booking sailings between April and October 2027 by 2 November can get perks such as reduced drink package prices, $300 shore excursion credit per person, specialty dining and up $300 of onboard credit each.
Passengers can choose from more than 200 sailings in Europe and Alaska.
Read more: Best cruises for teenagers
HX Expeditions
HX Expeditions is offering an extra five per cent off cabins and 10 per cent off suites on selected expeditions to mark its 130th anniversary.
The expedition cruise line’s Highlights of Antarctica sailing now starts from £7,443 per person, down from £10,999 per person, 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.
Read more: How to save hundreds of pounds when booking a cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line
Fares have been reduced to as low as £599 per person with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Reductions apply to almost 600 sailings, including on the new Norwegian Luna.
Guests can also upgrade to NCL’s “More at Sea” package for wifi, drinks and speciality dining from £249 per person.
Plus, kids sail at a reduced rate when sharing a cabin with their parents.
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 100 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 3 November 2026.
P&O Cruises
Returning P&O Cruises guests can get 10 per cent off sailings plus up to £350 of onboard credit depending on the length of the cruise.
The deal is available on more than 800 sailings departing until March 2028.
Bookings need to be made by 17 December 2026.
Princess
Guests can get up to $500 of onboard credit on select sailings from Southampton in 2027.
Book by 2 November 2026.
Deals include a seven-day Spain and France sailing aboard Sky Princess that departs on 22 March 2027, with fares starting at £1,222 per person.
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 £565 off sailings departing until September 2027.
Virgin Voyages
Fans of Virgin Voyages can currently get 70 per cent off a second “sailor”, plus up to $400 (around £302) in onboard credit.
The offer is available on more than 400 cruises, bookable until October 2028.
Deals include a 14-night repositioning transatlantic cruise from Miami to Morocco and Spain in April 2028, with fares from £804 per person.