Cruise lovers are poised to ride the tide of amazing offers sweeping the cruise sector in 2025. Wave season, the cruise industry’s equivalent of Black Friday, has officially begun. From January through March, major cruise lines and boutique operators are unleashing their most competitive offers.
Companies are all vying for the attention of travelers looking to book their next oceanic adventure. The 2025 Wave Season is full of various opportunities. These include steep discounts on fares, lavish onboard credits, and complimentary upgrades. Travelers can also enjoy value-added packages that could make a dream vacation a reality.
The Changing Tides In Travel Trends
According to research from travel insurance provider Squaremouth, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of rest and relaxation for cruise-goers. While 2024 saw a surge in adventure travel, this year’s data suggests travelers are more interested in quality time poolside than adrenaline-pumping excursions. Only 23 percent of cruisers plan to engage in adventure activities such as jet skiing, snorkeling, or scuba diving, a significant drop from 42 percent in 2024.
On the other hand, warm destinations continue to top cruisers’ bucket lists. Locations like Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic emerged as the most budget-friendly destinations. These sun-soaked locales boast average trip costs of $3,591, $3,800, and $4,123, respectively, making them attractive choices for those looking to combine savings with sublime weather.
The Top Wave Season Deals Of 2025
Jairph / Unsplash
To encourage bookings, cruise lines are going all out this year, as we can see when we look into the details of the wave season offerings. Here’s a roundup of some of the most alluring deals available.
Holland America Line’s ‘Start Your Journey’ Offer
Holland America’s promotion includes discounted fares and 50% reduced deposits on select cruises between spring 2025 and 2026. Passengers can enjoy complimentary stateroom upgrades in select categories and free fares for kids when sailing as the third and fourth guests in a cabin. The deal runs through February 28, with additional onboard credit for early birds who book by January 31.
Virgin Voyages’ Adults-Only Adventure
Virgin Voyages is enticing adult travelers with an 80% discount on the second guest in a cabin and up to $300 in free drinks per room for select cabin categories. This promotion runs through January 30, offering a perfect opportunity for couples or friends to embark on a child-free getaway.
Margaritaville At Sea’s Tropical Escape
For those seeking a taste of paradise, Margaritaville at Sea offers a whopping 60% fare discount, up to $300 in onboard credit, and free fares for third and fourth guests. This deal, available until January 31, applies to sailings through December 31, 2025, on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and through December 31, 2026, on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
Seabourn’s ‘Sail Of The Year’ Promotion
Luxury cruise enthusiasts should take note of Seabourn’s offer, which provides up to 15% off select cruises and expeditions in 2025 and 2026. The deal also includes reduced deposits and up to $1,000 onboard credit per suite. Travelers have until February 18 to take advantage of this luxurious opportunity.
Celebrity Cruises’ Semi-Annual Sale
Celebrity’s wave season deal offers savings between 50% and 75% off a second guest’s fare on select sailings. Guests can save up to $600 per cabin, depending on voyage length and stateroom category. This promotion continues through April 7, giving travelers ample time to plan their celebrity-style cruise experience.
This week’s Heads Up has the scoop on rental sports gear in the Outaouais, a farm-to-table dinner in Munster, a new bus to the Ottawa airport, a new restaurant in Kemptville, a bike ride near Eganville, açaí treats at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, day tripping to New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe, and more. Enjoy!
Cheese shop getting close to 100 percent Canadian stock
As you already know, I’m a big fan of supporting Canadian products—just check out my big guide to shopping locally. So a recent Facebook post by the Balderson Village Cheese Store, just outside Perth, caught my eye. The store’s owners have been making a concerted effort to stock 100 percent made-in-Canada foods. They’re about 75 percent of the way there and hope to have 100 percent Canadian stock by the end of the year. Well done!
You can rent scooters, pontoon boats and more in the Outaouais
Want to explore the great outdoors in the Outaouais, but you don’t have the gear? Tourisme Outaouais has this handy list of companies that rent out kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, electric bikes, scooters, pontoon boats and more.
OC Transpo to launch new bus to the airport
Perhaps finally realizing that folks travelling from Ottawa’s east end to Ottawa International Airport don’t much fancy taking three trains to reach their destination, OC Transpo is launching a direct bus service connecting the St. Laurent, Train and Hurdman stations to the airport. According to this CTV Ottawa story, Route 105 will launch on Sunday, August 24, and will run every half hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bus is anticipated to take 33 minutes to travel from St. Laurent to the airport.
Quebec loves its Nordic spas
Photo of Strøm Spa by Gaëlle Leroyer courtesy of Destination Québec Cité.
Quebec seems to have embraced the Nordic spa concept—the circuit of hot tub or sauna, cold pool or shower, relaxation and repeat—more strongly than just about anywhere else in Canada. I’ve written a post about some of my favourite Quebec Nordic spas, and it barely scratches the surface. My friend Hilary Nangle recently wrote a post about her favourite Quebec Nordic spas and while there’s a bit of overlap between the two pieces, she’s discovered quite a few spots that I haven’t made it to … yet.
Science fiction, fantasy and horror book convention is coming to Kanata
I wanted to mention this event on the website last year, but by the time I heard about it, it had sold out! So if you’re a fan of Canadian science fiction, fantasy and horror novels, you might want to get your ticket to Can*Con now. You can meet authors, buy books, take classes, pitch your own book to agents and more. It’s happening at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata from October 17 to 19.
New restaurant opens in Kemptville
Named for a famous local Holstein bull, Goldwyn’s restaurant opened this past weekend at 25 Clothier Street East in downtown Kemptville. It promises diners “a modern take on the Wild West at our elevated country western saloon.” Sounds like fun!
You can take a staycation in New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe
Fancy staying close to home? I have just the suggestion: a day spent exploring New Edinburgh, Lindenlea and Rockcliffe. From the new(ish) NCC River House on the Ottawa River to a posh grocery store and a great place to pick up consignment designer clothes, you can read my day trip tips in the Ottawa Business Journal.
Saunders Farm Pig and Corn Roast tickets are available
Most years, the farm-to-table Pig and Corn Roast at Saunders Farm in Munster sells out. So if you want to go to this year’s event on Sunday, August 24, you might want to get your tickets now.
Scenic August bike ride will take cyclists along Eganville backroads
If you want to challenge yourself to a self-supported, non-racing bike ride through the hills and along the backroads near Eganville, now’s the time to register for this year’s Tour de Bonnechere on Sunday, August 24. You can choose from 50km, 65km and 100km routes, as well as a 20km family ride.
You can try a superfood at St. Laurent Shopping Centre
Perhaps açaí berries are old hat to you. I’d heard of them but hadn’t had a chance to taste the Brazilian “superfood” until I was invited to try it at Rio Açaí at St. Laurent Shopping Centre. (The owners also have a location at 35 allée de Hambourg in Gatineau.)
Açaí berries have become trendy in recent years for their health benefits. At Rio Açaí, you can try them in a bowl with your choice of other fruits (I picked mangoes, strawberries and blueberries). The consistency of puréed açaí is a bit like tapioca pudding and it isn’t super sweet, so it made a nice combo with the sweet, dense fruit. You can also try other Brazilian specialties at the takeout spot, such as warm cheese bread (it’s really good) and, of course, coffee.
(Disclosure: I received free products for review purposes. The shop did not review or approve this post. All opinions are my own.)
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
Social media has a way of airbrushing reality, especially when it comes to travel.
Many people plan their entire vacations based on viral TikToks and Instagram photo ops, often without realizing what those places are actually like behind the lens.
I’ve been lucky enough to explore over 20 countries, and have been everywhere from the Arctic Circle and the European countryside to the Caribbean.
I love snapping photos and curating videos of my adventures along the way, but I’ll also admit that social media can make every trip look like a dreamy highlight reel with perfect sunsets, pristine hotel rooms, or bucket-list adventures.
Although I’ll always be grateful for the chance to see the world, the truth is, not every moment is as glamorous as it looks online.
Visiting Hollywood Boulevard isn’t as glitzy as it seems.
As a kid, I always glamorized the idea of visiting Hollywood.
Chloe Caldwell
As someone who grew up in the Los Angeles area, I’m incredibly familiar with every tourist hot spot in the city. As a product of the suburbs, I glamorized the idea of visiting Hollywood and immersing myself among those famous sidewalk stars.
The truth, though, is that Hollywood Boulevard is packed with crowds, speckled with trash, and has lots of overpriced attractions and gift shops.
If you want a good view of the Hollywood sign, I recommend going to Griffith Park Observatory instead. There, you’ll get an up-close look at the landmark and sweeping views of LA.
Taking a gondola ride in Venice can be expensive.
Taking a gondola ride in Venice is an incredible — but pricey — experience.
Chloe Caldwell
Venice has become one of my favorite cities for its dreamy waterways, cobblestone alleys, and vibrant atmosphere.
I’ve visited over the past two years and have plans to return this summer. Although a gondola ride might seem like a Venice rite of passage, I have a hard time justifying a nearly $100 price tag for a 30-minute ride.
It may be worth the splurge if a ride is a must on your itinerary. However, it’s also worth looking into the public gondola transfers (aka the traghetto) across the larger waterways that only cost 2 euros (about $2.35).
You’ll be with a group of people for a short, 3-minute ride, but you can still get a quick snapshot of yourself on the gondola.
Mānoa Falls in Honolulu can get crowded.
Mānoa Falls is a 150-foot waterfall near Honolulu.
Chloe Caldwell
The Mānoa Falls Trail is a lush, 1.6-mile round-trip hike near Honolulu that leads to a 150-foot-tall waterfall. It’s a gorgeous trail that I think is worth doing during your visit to Oahu.
However, in my experience, it’s not as serene as it seems online, and there will likely be crowds gathered at the waterfall’s base and the viewpoints throughout.
You’ll likely have difficulty getting photos without people in the background, especially if they’re swimming in the fall’s natural pool. I only got a decent picture of myself in front of the waterfall because it started raining and everyone else left.
I’d recommend going early in the morning to beat some of the rush, or going on a gloomy day when there might be fewer people on the trail. Also, keep an eye out for outlets along the way to find small and secluded streams.
The northern lights are much more vibrant in photos.
Photos of the northern lights often appear more vivid than the in-person display.
Chloe Caldwell
Don’t get me wrong: seeing the northern lights in Iceland was one of the best travel experiences of my life.
However, the photos you see online often make them look like a much more saturated version of what they actually look like to the naked eye. More often, the lights are a faint haze of subtle hues.
Although photos typically appear more vivid and colorful than the in-person display, watching the colors dance in the sky is awe-inspiring nonetheless.
Travel is booming in Mexico. According to the nation’s Ministry of Tourism, 39.4 million international visitors arrived in Mexico between January and May, a 14.2% jump from the same period last year.
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is aiming for even greater growth, with a goal of making Mexico the world’s fifth most-visited country by 2030 — as part of a wide-ranging plan, dubbed Mexico 2030, that focuses on economic development in various sectors.
Leading the government’s charge in the tourism sector is Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, who was appointed Mexico’s secretary of tourism in October 2024 after serving as secretary of tourism for the state of Tlaxcala from 2021 to 2024.
In this interview, Rodriguez discusses various challenges, as well as the ministry’s new take on tourism — which includes a stronger focus on local communities and sustainability, a new tourism campaign and greater collaboration with travel advisors.
President Sheinbaum has been in office since October 2024. How would you describe the new administration’s approach to tourism?
With the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, tourism is recognized as a pillar of sustainable development. We’ve strengthened interagency coordination, prioritized sustainable investment and ramped up international promotion with new campaigns. The shared prosperity vision remains, but with an even stronger focus on innovation, inclusion and sustainability.
The arrival of President Claudia Sheinbaum represents continuity of a national plan with a social vision that’s inclusive and deeply committed to the wellbeing of all Mexicans. Today … we’re establishing a new stage for national tourism, with a focus that’s fairer, more modern and transformative.
One of this administration’s pillars is the strengthening of community tourism — not just as a development tool, but as a way to share the cultural, historical and natural richness of our communities with the world. We want tourism in Mexico to generate shared prosperity, to empower communities and preserve our traditions, languages, knowledge and ecosystems.
How are you moving toward that goal?
Technological innovation and the use of digital tools are fundamental for this new phase. We’re promoting online training platforms, intelligent promotion strategies and connectivity systems that allow more people to discover, experience and visit Mexico more easily.
Tourism is now a national wellbeing strategy in Mexico. Credit: 2025 Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board
The key difference is that now, tourism is no longer just an economic sector. It’s a national wellbeing strategy that honors our roots, promotes equity and advances the country toward a future that’s more sustainable, better connected and profoundly human.
Hospitality knows no political borders. Tourism builds bridges.
Does political rhetoric in the United States affect Americans traveling to Mexico?
Mexico maintains a respectful and collaborative stance. What’s most important is that the American people continue to travel to Mexico enthusiastically and frequently. Hospitality knows no political borders. Tourism builds bridges. We focus on delivering experiences so positive that they overcome any prejudice or external rhetoric.
In Mexico City, the government has introduced new restrictions on short-term rentals to combat gentrification. How do you view these challenges?
In Mexico, we firmly believe in tourism as a tool for coming together, for understanding and social development. We’re a supportive people, warm by nature and profoundly proud of our history, our communities and our landscapes. We like to welcome the people who visit as if they were coming home, because we’re great hosts by nature.
Josefina Rodriguez Zamora (third from right) at the Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca Credit: 2025 SECTUR
But we also know that tourism must be responsible. That’s why the government emphasizes the importance of a tourist model that’s sustainable, environmentally respectful and aligned with the needs of local communities. Decrees protect natural areas, and policies support cultural and ecological preservation.
It’s not just a matter of tourists enjoying our beaches, mountains, jungles and Magical Towns. It’s also about how we Mexicans can continue to enjoy and share these spaces for generations to come. We want tourism to coexist with its surroundings, not displace it; to strengthen local identity, not erase it.
We want tourism to coexist with its surroundings, not displace it; to strengthen local identity, not erase it.
That’s why we work hand in hand with communities, emphasizing territorial fairness, so that tourism adds rather than subtracts — and so that tourism development benefits everyone. Our commitment is clear: to preserve what we are and what we have, and to continue proudly sharing it with the world.
How can travelers have a positive impact when visiting Mexico?
We encourage travelers to shop locally, respect customs, avoid exploitative tourism and choose sustainable experiences. Traveling consciously transforms both the communities and the traveler who visits them.
How can travelers minimize the negative effects of overtourism?
Mexico isn’t just a nation of sun and beaches — although our coasts are spectacular. We’re also a nation of mountains, jungles, deserts, volcanoes, living communities and towns with history and soul. That’s why we strongly promote community-based tourism: a more conscientious, responsible and respectful way to travel, both for the environment and for each destination’s cultural identity.
These new tourism experiences allow visitors to connect with people, their traditions and their way of life, while at the same time supporting local wellbeing and inclusive development. It’s tourism with a purpose.
There are 177 Magical Towns, each with its own unique charm. From the Huichol art in Nayarit to the living Maya traditions in Yucatan and the Otomi rituals in Hidalgo, Mexico offers routes that break away from the crowds and embrace authenticity.
We invite travelers to explore these lesser-known destinations, to experience Mexico in the heart of its communities, to become part of a new form of tourism — one that transforms and leaves a mark, as much for those who experience it as for those who offer it.
What should travel advisors and their clients know about safety and security in Mexico today?
Mexico is currently experiencing one of its safest periods in years, with steadily declining crime rates that have boosted traveler confidence. This is reflected in the fact that more than half of the international tourists who visit are women, who choose Mexico as a safe and welcoming destination.
Mexico is currently experiencing one of its safest periods in years, with steadily declining crime rates that have boosted traveler confidence.
Thanks to the national security strategy and coordinated work among the three levels of government, this progress is also reflected in the consistent growth in international visitors, especially from the United States and Canada. Travelers come back not just for our beaches and culture; they also come back because they feel welcome and safe.
Being aware that negative narratives still exist in some international media, we launched the Latidos del Mundo [Heartbeats of the World] campaign, a communication strategy targeting international travelers that conveys a message focused on peace, personal connection and Mexican authenticity. This campaign highlights our strengths: hospitality, natural and cultural richness and the safety that the nation offers as a tourism destination.
You’re looking to work closely with travel advisors. What are the goals of this year’s roadshow?
The Meet Mexico Roadshow 2025 is a very special tour. We’ll be in Chicago, Toronto, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Montreal and New York to strengthen business ties, train travel advisors and showcase Mexico’s diversity beyond just sun and beach. Unlike previous editions, this tour focuses on cultural, culinary and health and wellness experiences, as well as newly emerging destinations. We’re sharing a unified message: Mexico as a country of authentic, safe hospitality, aligned with global trends of conscious travel.
How has the way you collaborate with U.S.-based travel advisors evolved?
We’ve significantly strengthened our work with travel advisors in the U.S., building a strategic relationship that provides ongoing support and up-to-date information.
The Secretary of Tourism offers various training courses and modules through official digital platforms, specifically designed for travel advisors, tour operators and industry professionals. These courses cover key topics such as emerging destinations, wellness tourism, cultural experiences and sustainability, aligned with our diversification strategy. Through these platforms, advisors can access multimedia resources, specialized itineraries and interactive tools to sell Mexico more effectively and distinctively.
Dates for the Meet Mexico Roadshow
Chicago and Toronto: Aug. 25–29 Dallas and Houston: Sept. 9–13 San Francisco and Los Angeles: Oct. 7–11 Montreal and New York: Nov. 10–14
