Black Friday is finally on the horizon, and that means potential savings on cruise fares, drink packages, WiFi and more.
While traditionally a Black Friday sale occurs the day after Thanksgiving, which this year is November 29. Royal Caribbean is joining a large list of retailers and companies that gets in on the sale fever.
The specific promotion plan was inadvertently shared, but suffice to say, Royal Caribbean will likely have a big sale leading right up to the mega sale period between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Once Royal Caribbean officially announces the Black Friday promotions, there will be all sorts of saving potential.
Sales on fares and extras
Royal Caribbean's exact Black Friday promotions have evolved over the years, but the general plan is usually to offer a combination of cruise fare and Cruise Planner sale.
We've even seen them combine Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales into a weeklong “Cyber Week Sale”.
While Black Friday sales are standard within the cruise industry, the best offers typically come during Wave Season (the first three months of the calendar year). That being said, you can expect to see some savings during the cruise line’s Cyber Week Sale.
While there will undoubtedly be sales on extra add-ons you can buy for a cruise, Royal Caribbean has not revealed details on those sales or discounts yet.
Typically the Cruise Planner sale occurs in tandem with the new cruise booking sales, and offers discounts on drink packages, shore excursions, The Key, specialty dining and more.
Here's a look at Royal Caribbean's 2023 Black Friday sale on its add-ons for an idea of what might be in store for 2024.
What types of deals are offered on Black Friday?
The exact deal offered on Black Friday can change by year, but you can expect to see both savings on cruise fares and savings on pre-cruise purchases like shore excursions and dining packages.
Last year’s Black Friday sale on cruise fare allowed guests to save up to $750 in instant savings, plus 30% off everyone in the cabin.
It also had many discounts offered on pre-cruise add-ons, including the following:
- Beverage: Up to 50% off
- Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
- 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
- Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
- 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
- Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
- Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
- Internet: Up to 55% Off
- The Key: Up to 40% Off
- Specialty Dining: Up to 45% Off
- Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
- Chops Grille — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
- Giovanni's Table — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
- Hooked — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
- Izumi Hibachi Experience — Lunch: 20% off onboard prices
- Jamie's Italian Restaurant — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
- The Mason Jar — Brunch: 40% off onboard prices
- Lunch at Hot Pot: 40% off onboard prices
- Lunch at Sabor: 40% off onboard prices
- Lunch at Wonderland: 40% off onboard prices
- Spa: Up to 30% Off
- Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off
- Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off
- Onboard Activities: Up to 50% off
- All Access Ship tour: 25% off onboard prices
- Casitas Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
- Casitas Port Day: Discount varies by ship.
- Up to 40% off onboard prices
- Ocean View Day Bed – Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
- Ocean View Day Bed – Port Day: 40% off onboard prices
- North Star Extended Experience: 20% off onboard prices
- FlowRider: 20% off onboard prices
- FlowRider Private Lesson: 20% off onboard prices
- RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience: 20% off onboard prices
- Escape the Rubicon: 20% off onboard prices
- Mission Control: Apollo 18: 20% off onboard prices
- Observatorium: 20% off onboard prices
- Sprinkle Time Cupcake Decorating Class:
- Up to 25% off onboard prices
- Sip.Tour.Brunch.: 25% off onboard prices
- Cooking Class Guacamole: 15% off onboard prices
- Introduction to Pickleball Clinic: 40% off onboard prices
When will Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale be announced?
Royal Caribbean typically releases its Cyber Week Sale information once we get closer to Thanksgiving. Last year, the sale for pre-cruise add-ons began November 9 and the sale on cruise fares began Wednesday, November 23.
At the very least, we can expect a sale over the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, extending into Cyber Monday. How early and for how long the deals last will is unknown.
You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons
If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.
If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.
To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.
If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.
Coinciding with new itinerary releases
Not only is Black Friday and Cyber Monday a popular time to book a cruise, but they conveniently take place around the same time new 2026-2027 cruises go on sale.
The Northeast, Summer & Yearlong Caribbean sailings will go on sale the week of November 18, 2024. It covers sailings between April 2026 – April 2027.
Royal Caribbean originally had Summer & Yearlong Caribbean and the Northeast sailings coming out separately, but travel agents were advised the deployment schedule has been updated to push the Caribbean deployment back a week and combine it with the Northeast deployment.
Traditionally, new sailings going on sale is the perfect time to get in on the lowest prices before inventory starts to be sold off and prices rise.