Many outstanding Wave Season bargains are available on luxury cruises this year. For example, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is providing exceptional early booking offers and savings of up to 50% on a number of 2009 summer cruises in Europe and Alaska. Kids 17 and under sail free in Europe and Alaska on selected sailings. In addition, free unlimited shore excursions and free air or air travel credit of up to $500 for selected Alaska cruises or up to $2500 for certain European departures are also available. Bookings must be made by March 31, 2009 and certain restrictions apply. For more information, visit www.rssc.com or call 877-505-5370.

Cunard is currently offering reduced rates on its luxury 2009 transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary 2 with cruise fares starting at $745 per person. For more information, contact your travel agent, call 800-7-CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com.

Oceania Cruises' Fifth Anniversary promotion is its largest ever, with savings of up to 72% on itineraries around the world. The luxury cruise line has also reduced their single supplement to only 25% and 3rd and 4th vacationers in the same stateroom can cruise for an additional 50% off. In addition, guests on selected 2009 European Collection voyages receive free airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares and an additional discount of $2000 per stateroom in categories G through A. Bookings must be made by March 31, 2009, and more savings options are available as well. For additional information, call your travel agent, contact Oceania Cruises at 800-531-5658 or visit www.OceaniaCruises.com.

River cruises are a popular way to see Europe, with their intimate cruise ships and interesting itineraries. Uniworld’s Boutique River Cruise Collection is on sale for a limited time, offering savings of $600 or more on shorter cruises and up to $2000 on longer cruises. In addition, Uniworld has eliminated its single supplement on a number of its European River Cruises, allowing single travelers to cruise at no additional charge – a savings of up to $6455 per person. Cruises must be booked by January 31, 2009 to take advantage of these offers. For more information, contact your travel agent, call Uniworld at 800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com.

Barging on the canals of France is a unique experience. Save 50% on French Country Waterways’ luxury barge cruises with the company’s “Two-for-One” promotion. Specials are available on selected departures from April through August, 2009. This offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other specials. For more information, call 800-222-1236, visit www.fcwl.com, or contact your travel agent.

Small ship cruise lines are also offering Wave Season promotions. Cruise West has extended its early booking promotion for Alaska itineraries. Save up to $2000 per cabin if you book by January 30, 2009 or up to $1100 per cabin if you reserve your cruise by February 27, 2009. For more information, call 888-851-8133 or visit www.cruisewest.com. American Safari Cruises has discounted its small ship Alaska cruises by $500 per person for bookings made by February 20, 2009. Visit www.amsafari.com for more information or call 888-862-8881.

Not to be outdone, some large cruise agencies are offering their own blowout cruise sales during Wave Season as well. For example, Cruises.com is holding a 2009 Stimulus Sale for their customers who book by January 31, 2009. This promotion provides up to an extra $200 off cruise fares, up to $600 free onboard spending credit per cabin, free stateroom upgrades, onboard coupon booklets, reduced booking deposits and more. Exact terms vary by cruise line, as well as the length of cruise and stateroom category booked. In addition, these agencies are also offering up to 75% off on cruises on selected cruises leaving soon. For more information, visit www.cruises.com or call Cruises.com at 800-288-6006.

Expedia, one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, has launched its own cruise sale featuring record-breaking bargains. Expedia’s Cruise Getaways Sale has cruises starting as low as $169 per person for a Bahamas cruise. The sale also includes benefits such as shipboard credits of up to $500, cabin upgrades and “kids free” sailings. Expedia’s sale applies to cruises taking place before March 2010, and all cruises must be booked before February 27, 2009. For more information, visit www.expedia.com/cruisegetaways.

To shop your cruise deal, you can receive free, no-obligation quotes anonymously from more than 300 travel agencies at CruiseCompete.com. Make sure to add in such costs as port charges, government taxes, and any other fees to all quotes in order to make accurate comparisons. To learn more, visit www.cruisecompete.com.

For more Wave Season bargains and information on how to find the best cruise deals, check out the links below.