Royal Caribbean joined in on the Black Friday offers with its own offers, but the question is did it save people money on their cruise vacation?

Royal Caribbean has two Black Friday offers that run the entire week between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, and offer deals on cruise fares as well as pre-cruise purchases.

Each year, many cruise fans wait in anticipation of what offer might be available, and until the actual promotion begins, it is impossible to know how significant the actual savings will be.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday 2020 offer

Royal Caribbean's Cyber Week Sale runs between November 24 - December 1, 2020 and offer a bundle of savings, with up to $550 off cruise fares.

Guests can combine the Cyber Week Sale with the November monthly offer, which provides 60% off the second guest, and kids sail free.

In addition, there is a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale on pre-cruise add-ons, like drink packages, shore excursions, wifi and more.

Both the cruise fare sale and the Cruise Planner sale run through early next week, so you do not have to book on Black Friday or Cyber Monday to take advantage of the offer.

Did anyone save money?

Like most Royal Caribbean promotions, savings vary from person to person. There is rarely any one promotion that gives an across the board discount.

Depending on if you had something booked already, or were looking to book a new cruise today, the perceived discount differed.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers shared their experiences on the message boards, and the general consensus was there were deeper discounts on the cruise add-on purchases, than the cruise fare promotion.

Luckily for USFFrank, the deal on the non-alcoholic beverage package came out quite cheap, "For my Harmony of the Seas cruise next November, the refreshment package is $18.00. That's the cheapest I've ever paid for that particular beverage package going back several cruises and I'm surprised it's this low nowadays."

Lovetocruise2002 bought a drink package as the only deal she ran across, "Nothing stands out on any of my sailings either.  All I did was grab the drink package for 2 sailings (later in 2021) in case what some of us suspect holds true (that those prices will jump once sailings resume)."

USCG Teacher did not find better deals today because they had take advantage of previous sales, "So far this Black Friday has been a bit of a dud for me.  The All Access Tour went from $130 to $90, so that was great, but no savings to be found anywhere else.  That said, I had already repurchased most of my items back during the past Cruise Planner sale and found some really terrific deals then."

Most people that talked about what they found indicated prices for cruises were at what they paid already, or higher, because these smart planners had booked earlier and taken advantage of previous price drops.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to take advantage of a price drop and reprice their cruise with no penalty up until final payment date. This includes guests from around the world, thanks to a more flexible Best Price Guarantee program that was altered earlier this year.

As long as the price drops for the same ship and sail date that has been booked previously, and it is before final payment date, you can take advantage of the lower price while simultaneously ensuring the price does not jump up.

Why were there not better deals?

While Black Friday conjures up notions of bargain-basement super low prices on appliances, clothing, or electronics, cruise fares do not have such drastic price swings.

In fact, the cruise industry sees its most aggressive pricing during the early part of the year in what the industry refers to as "wave season".

Wave season takes place between January and March, and is a reflection of the fact most people book their cruise vacations during the early part of the year. Essentially, unpleasant winter weather and an empty calendar for the coming year lead many to look to book a cruise.

In order to jump on the increased demand, cruise lines tend to roll out their better promotions during wave season in order to convince people to book.

In addition, Royal Caribbean has monthly sales and promos throughout the year that keep the prices moving.

Certainly Royal Caribbean is not one to shy away from joining in the Black Friday buzz, but cruise fare pricing is not the same as televisions, phones, or video games.

Royal Caribbean revealed its Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for 2020, but waiting to book your cruise once these sales begin is actually a mistake.

Unlike a Black Friday deal at a retail store, the prices of a Royal Caribbean cruise can fluctuate greatly and new promotions do not affect each sailing in the same way.

If you want to ensure you get the lowest price on your cruise, take advantage of this tried-and-true trick for saving the most money on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Don't wait & book now

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deals kick off on November 24, but what you should do is book now before the sale begins.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to take advantage of a price drop and reprice their cruise with no penalty up until final payment date. This includes guests from around the world, thanks to a more flexible Best Price Guarantee program that was altered earlier this year.

If there is a cruise you want to book, what you should do is book it now and lock in the price.  Then, when the Black Friday sale kicks off, if the price is lower, you can reprice it and take advantage of that price.

By booking now, you guard against a price increase. When new sales begin, it gets a lot of attention and the Black Friday sale is definitely one of those situations.

As people begin booking rooms, prices start going up because there is less inventory to browse. 

As long as the price drops for the same ship and sail date that has been booked previously, and it is before final payment date, you can take advantage of the lower price while simultaneously ensuring the price does not jump up.

You can do this with cruise add-ons too

In addition to booking early and then repricing later for cruise fare, you can apply this strategy to pre-cruise purchases, such as drink packages, shore excursions and more.

Royal Caribbean will have a Black Friday sale on cruise add-ons beginning later this week

When going through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website, it is very easy to track the price of these items.  Book what you know you want now, and then see what happens when the Black Friday sale (or any other sale) does to the price.

If you spot a lower price, you can cancel the previous purchase through the Cruise Planner site and then immediately rebook at the lower price.

There are no penalties for doing this, and you can do this all the way up to a few days before your sail date.

In addition to Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on cruise fares, there will be an additional sale on pre-cruise purchases.

The Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals will be offered between November 25, 2020 - December 1, 2020 and is valid on cruised departing January 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021.

As is the case with any Cruise Planner sale, availability of offers varies by eligible ships and individual tours. Spectrum of the Seas sailings are completely excluded, as are charter sailings.

Remember, this sail does not begin until November 25, 2020.

Here is a look at what will be discounted during this Black Friday sale:

Beverage: Up to 50% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship. 
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: : Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship.
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship. 

Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship. 

Internet: Up to 65% Off

• The Key: Discount varies by ship. Excludes Majesty of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas
• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. 
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

Dining: Up to 55% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship. Excludes Majesty of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas
• Chops Grill: : Discount varies by ship. Excludes Majesty of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas

Gifts & Gear: 40% Off (excludes Voyager of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas)

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: Discount varies by ship.
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries: Discount varies by ship.
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries: Discount varies by ship. 
• Inky Beach Set: Discount varies by ship.
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe) : Discount varies by ship.
• Inky Travel Set: Discount varies by ship.
• Red Wine and Cheese: Discount varies by ship.
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: Discount varies by ship.
• Strawberries with Champagne: Discount varies by ship.
• White Wine and Cheese: Discount varies by ship.

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship. 

Spa: Up to 30% Off

• Services: Discount varies by ship.

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.

Attention Black Friday shoppers, here is what Royal Caribbean has in store for guests next week.

Royal Caribbean's Cyber Week Sale will run between November 24 - December 1, 2020 and offer a bundle of savings, with up to $550 off cruise fares.

The cruise line will change the name of the promotion over the course of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but the promotional offer is the same for each named offer.

Royal Caribbean Black Friday 2020 details

Dates: November 24, 2020 – December 1, 2020

Instant Savings up to $400 per stateroom on select sailings departing on or after January 1, 2021.

• Sailings 5 nights or less, $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $200 for Suites
• Sailings 6 nights or longer, $100 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $150 for Balconies and $400 for Suites
• Instant savings do not apply to China departures

November savings up to $150 instant savings:

• Sailings 5 nights or less, $25 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and Suites
• Sailings 6 nights or longer, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies, and $150 for Suites

60% off second guest: 60% off second guest when booking a cruise departing on or after January 1, 2021

Kids Sail Free: Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger as of cruise departure date, booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualifying guests in a triple or quad-occupancy stateroom.

• Kids Sail Free applies to select 3-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, and Repositioning sailings departing between December 1, 2020 – December 17, 2020 and January 8, 2021 – December 17, 2021.
• Offer excludes 2021 President’s Day Sailings (Sailings between February 12 – 15, 2021), 2021 Spring Break and Easter sailings (Sailings between March 13 – April 4, 2021), 2021 Thanksgiving Sailings (Sailings between November 19 – 26, 2021), SR and RD Cruisetours.

BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free + Summer are combinable with each other as well as promotional OBCs, NextCruise o­ffers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven o­ffers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Cyber Week Sale is combinable with BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free + Summer as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise o­ffers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven o­ffers, Free Upgrades, Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Crown and Anchor discounts. Resident rates apply to select states on select sailings; valid address must be entered at time of booking to redeem savings. O­ffers are not combinable with any other o­ffer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. Promo Code driven o­ffers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking; limit one promo code per booking. 

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean. 

What you should do right now to prepare for Black Friday

If you are looking over this Black Friday offer and thinking it sounds like a great deal, you should still book something right now.

One of the best strategies for saving money on a cruise is to book early and re-price it if there is a price drop.

Booking a cruise today will lock in the current price.  When the Black Friday sale begins next week, if there is a better price, you can have the cruise repriced for you under the Best Price Guarantee.

Up until Final Payment date, you can reprice the price of a cruise as many times as you want if you happen to spot a lower price.

With the enhanced Cruise with Confidence program, this opportunity is available to all guests, not just North Americans.

By booking a cruise now, you can ensure you have the lowest price.  If the price on Black Friday is lower, you can reprice at the lower price.  If the price happens to go up, you already locked in the lower rate and are set.

The strategy of booking early and then taking advantage of price drops ensure you always have the lowest price, as opposed to trying to time a price drop later (which may or may not happen).

How to check if the price is lower

The most straight forward method for seeing if there is a price drop is to go to Royal Caribbean's website and do a mock booking. 

Be sure to go through as much of the checkout process as you can to ensure you are comparing exactly what you have booked, as things like cruise fare (refundable vs non-refundable), gratuities, taxes and other fees may not be levied until later in the checkout.

Another option is to let you travel agent handle this for you.  Some travel agents (the really good ones) will take it upon themslves to check for lower prices on behalf of their clients.

I recommend this travel agency for booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, and they will reprice for you during sales like this. If you are not convinced using a free travel agency right for you, read this post discussing the benefits travel agents offer.

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and you can take advantage of these lucrative offers to lock in great prices on some great cruise gear.

Please note that we included links in this post that may contain affiliate links. Basically that means Amazon gives us a "finder's fee" commission without charging you anything extra.

Luggage

If that luggage set you have been using is starting to look a little worse for wear, then investing in a new luggage set may make a lot of sense.

If you can spot a good deal on a luggage set, or perhaps just a new bag to rely on, Black Friday can be a great opportunity to replace your existing bags.

Our picks: GoPenguin Hardside Luggage or TravelPro Luggage Set.  (These links contain an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

ebook reader

A time-honored tradition on any cruise vacation is to read a book.  While paperbacks are always an option, Black Friday is a great opportunity to pick up a new tablet.

Whether you choose to get a simple reader device, or pick up the latest full-featured tablet, electronics deals are usually plentiful on Black Friday.

Our picks: Kindle Paperwhite or Apple iPad Air. (These links contain an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

New clothes

Take advantage of all the retail stores offering deep discounts on clothing so you can stock up on theme nights and shore excursion activities during your cruise.

There is usually plenty of deals on attire to cover formal night, active wear, swimsuits, walking shoes and more.  You might also look to specific brand names if one or another is specifically targeted for sale.

Amazon Fashion Black Friday Deals. (This link contains an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

Tech for your stateroom

Tech is all about making your life easier, and that extends to your stateroom. Black Friday is the perfect excuse to pick up gadgets and devices to simplify your onboard life.

Consider the sort of cruise-friendly devices that will come in handy while in your room. Battery packs, USB chargers, cameras and more are great ideas.

Our picks: Anker PowerCore 2100 or Anker 60W 6 Port USB Wall Charger. (These links contain an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

Travel gadgets

Speaking of making your life simpler, do not overlook deals on the gadgets and devices that you can use not only while you are cruising on a ship, but also while travelling in general.

For many guests, flying on an airplane or staying in a hotel is part of the cruise vacation.  Plus, these gadgets can also be used during conventional land vacations.

Our picks: 9 Piece Packing Cube Set, Memory Foam Neck Pillow Airplane Travel Kit or Packable Backpack. (These links contain an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

Experienced cruisers know that Black Friday can often net some of the most lucrative deals of the year, and we have a look at what Royal Caribbean's Black Friday offer will be for 2019.

Black Friday Cruise Fare Sale

Royal Caribbean is running a multi-day sale that changes names throughout the course of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but it is effectively the same offer. 

The Cyber Weekend sale runs between November 27 - December 2, 2019 and is valid on select sailings departing on or after December 27, 2019

60% off second guest in stateroom.

Instant savings offer applies to new bookings made between November 27 – December 2, 2019. Instant Savings offer provides up to $300 instant savings on select sailings departing on or after December 27, 2019.

Savings amount is per stateroom and determined by category booked and sailing length:

• Sailings 5 nights or less, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
• Sailings 6 nights or longer, $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $300 for Suites

Instant savings applied as instant rebate to the price of cruise fare at checkout. Instant savings do not apply to China departures.

Kids Sail Free

Kids Sail Free applies to new bookings made between November 27 – December 2, 2019.

Kids Sail Free provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Europe, Hawaii, and Repositioning sailings departing between January 4, 2020 – May 15, 2020 and August 31, 2020 – December 17, 2020.

Kids Sail Free offer excludes President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 14 – 17, 2020), Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 14 – 23, 2020), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 3 – 17, 2020) and 2020 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 21 – 27, 2020).

In addition, Kids Sail Free applies to all Serenade of the Seas Alaska 2020 sailings.

Combinability: BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. Instant Savings offer is combinable with BOGO60, Kids Sail Free as well as well as with promotional OBCs, NextCruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers Free Upgrades and Shareholder Benefits but not combinable with Crown and Anchor discounts. Offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. Promo Code driven offers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking, limit one promo code per booking.

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean.

UK residents: A different offer will be available for you, to be announced later this week.

Pre-cruise purchase Black Friday sale

Guests who make pre-cruise purchases via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site can expect to find beverage package deals of up to 50% off Beverage Packages. Plus, up to 65% off Internet, up to 30% off Shore Excursions, up to 55% off Dining Packages, and up to 40% off Gifts and Gear! 

The Cyber Monday Cruise Planner sale runs between November 27 - December 3, 2019. It applies to sailings departing from December 5, 2019 - December 31, 2020 (except Spectrum of the Seas).

If you want to be among the first to know what Royal Caribbean's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will be, the cruise line is allowing guests to sign up for a notification.

Royal Caribbean typically does not post its Black Friday offers much in advance, so it appears as the cruise line is offering guests who really want to know as soon as possible a new option.

Guests can sign up to receive an email from Royal Caribbean when the deals are announced. A special form is available to fill out and submit.

You can view past Black Friday deals in our Black Friday post archive.

If you are eyeing a pre-cruise discount on a shore excursion, beverage package, WiFi access or more, keep in mind all purchases made via the Cruise Planner site can always be cancelled and rebooked if the price drops.

Let us know in the comments: Did you sign up for the email alert?

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 40% off pre-cruise purchases made this weekend during its Cyber Monday offer.

Dates: November 23, 2018 - November 27, 2018
Sailing Window: Sailings from November 30, 2018 - December 30, 2019

• BEVERAGE: Up to 40% off
  • Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship.
  • Deluxe Beverage Package. Discount Varies by Ship.
  • Refreshment Package: 40% off onboard prices.
• SHORE EXCURSIONS: Save up to 25% off
  • Save up to 25% on select tours on select sailings. Discount varies by ship.
• INTERNET: Up to 60% off on select sailings
  • VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship
  • VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4, Device(s): Discount varies by ship
• DINING: Save 20% off
  • Chops Grille Dinner: Save 20% off. Discount varies by ship.
  • Izumi Dinner: Save 20% off. Discount varies by ship.
  • Ultimate Dining Package: Buy One, Get One 50% off. Discount varies by ship.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal could save you up to $300 off a cruise vacation.

Cruise must be booked between November 22, 2018 – November 27, 2018. Offer applies to sailings departing on or after December 22, 2018.

• 60% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as first full-fare paying guest.
• 30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests. 
• Cyber Weekend Sale offers instant savings of up to $300 per stateroom determined by category booked and sailing length:
  • On sailings 5 nights or less, $50 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $125 for Suites.
  • on sailing 6 nights or longer, $75 savings for Interior and Ocean View, $200 for Balconies and $300 for Suites.
• Kids Sail Free: provides free cruise fare for 3rd guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on 4-night or longer Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, CaribNE, Coastal, Cuba, Europe and Hawaii sailings departing between December 1, 2018 – December 14, 2019. Offer excludes Holiday sailings (Sailings between December 18, 2018 – January 1, 2019), President’s Day sailings (Sailings between February 15 – 18, 2019), Spring Break sailings (Sailings between March 16 – 30, 2019), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Sailings between April 13 – 22, 2019) Summer sailings (Sailings between May 15 – August 31, 2019) and 2019 Thanksgiving sailings (Sailings between November 23 – 30, 2019). 

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean. 

In addition to Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deal on cruises booked, the cruise line is also offering up to 30% off everything on pre-cruise purchases made via the Cruise Planner.

The Black Friday Sale runs through the end of Friday, November 24, 2017  and applies to options like beverage packages, shore excursions and more.

The exact discounts available will vary from sailing to sailing, but it may be worth checking which discounts are available for your sailing.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site and navigate to the Dining & Beverage section to see any available offers.

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.