Sailing the World’s Largest Ships for Less
Where the value usually is on a mega-ship — no made-up prices.
Quote a Mega-Ship CruiseThe world’s largest cruise ships are in such demand that it is easy to assume they are never on sale. They are — but finding a good fare on a giant takes a slightly different approach than on an older, smaller ship. This page explains the patterns, with no made-up prices.
Where the Value Usually Is
Older sisters
An Oasis-class ship from earlier years delivers much of the giant-ship experience and is frequently priced below the newest Icon-class sailings for a similar route.
Shoulder weeks
Sailings outside school holidays and peak Caribbean weeks tend to cost less and feel less crowded.
Longer itineraries
On some giants, seven-night sailings can compare well with short getaways once you work out the cost per night.
Line-wide sales
The big ships are included in their lines’ seasonal and headline events, often with perks rather than only lower fares.
When the Biggest Ships Go on Sale
Mega-ships appear in the same promotional calendar as every other ship: the January-to-March booking season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and line-specific events in between. The difference is availability. On the newest ships the most popular cabin types — family suites, balconies on holiday weeks — can sell out before a sale arrives. If you need one of those, booking early at a fair price is usually smarter than waiting for a headline.
For which sale each line treats as its biggest, see Largest Cruise Sale. Live offers are collected on Cruising for Less and, in the early-year booking season, on WaveSeason.com.
How We Help You Sail a Giant for Less
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise quote the giant you want, then compare it with the same line’s slightly older sisters and with other lines’ mega-ships on similar dates. We point out what each fare includes and when the line’s sales usually land, so you can decide whether to book now or wait. Join the Mister Cruise special-offers newsletter to hear when big-ship sailings go on sale. Every line we sell is listed on the Official Cruise Directory; the Official Travel Directory covers the rest of your trip, from hotels to flights. If you would like to sell cruises like these yourself, Be a Travel Agent explains how to start, and Best of the USA gathers the rest of our network.
Mega-Ship Savings Questions
Are the newest mega-ships ever discounted?
Their fares move like any other ship’s, and they appear in the lines’ sales. Because demand is high, the best-value cabins often go early, so a quote well ahead of time is your best comparison point.
Is an older giant ship cheaper?
Often, for the same itinerary length. Earlier Oasis-class ships, for example, offer much of the big-ship experience and are frequently priced below the newest Icon-class sailings. Compare actual quotes for your dates.
Which cabins offer the best value on the biggest ships?
It depends on how you cruise. Interior cabins cost least; some mega-ships also have cabins facing inward over promenades or parks. Our advisors can price several options side by side.
Find a Sale Fare on the World’s Largest Ships
Tell us which giant and which weeks. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare current offers on it and its sister ships, free.
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