These are the Black Friday cruise sales that offer actual savings

26 Nov 2024, 14:26 by Alisha dos Santos · The Fresno Bee

This year, several cruise lines launched early Black Friday preview sales weeks ahead of the traditional post-Thanksgiving shopping period. While many of these sales promised big discounts on cruise fares, some did not truly offer as much savings as advertised and most were not the cruise lines’ best offers of the year.

But don’t write off all Black Friday cruise sales just yet. Some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises really did save some of their best offers for Black Friday week.

To help you score the most significant savings on your next sailing in the sea of Black Friday offers this week, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday cruise deals here in one list.

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Royal Caribbean offers bundle deals

Royal Caribbean is offering some bundled packages on extras like drink packages, internet and CocoCay beach day passes but make sure to take a look at the individual prices for each item before you buy a bundle. For certain sailings, these bundled deals end up being more expensive when you buy them as a bundle than they are if you buy each item separately.

Holland America Line’s Black Friday sale includes free gratuities

Through Dec. 1, Carnival-owned Holland America Line is running a Black Friday sale offering up to 25% off the cruise fare, free prepaid crew appreciation gratuities, 50% reduced deposits, and free third and fourth guests when traveling in the same stateroom.

With crew appreciation rates set at $17 per passenger per day for non-suite staterooms and $19 per passenger per day for suites, the free prepaid gratuities can represent significant savings, especially for longer cruises. During the sale, travelers can save on over 800 cruises departing through October 2026.

Virgin Voyages passengers can sail for as low as $99 per night

Virgin Voyages is all about giving its Sailors options on its adults-only cruises this Black Friday. Now, through Dec. 3, the cruise line is offering passengers a choice of rates, from just $99 per sailor per night to up to $400 in free drinks plus 80% off their second sailor.

Virgin Voyages Black Friday 2024 offer is available on certain eligible voyages with availability based on open inventory. Reduced voyage fares of $99 per person per day on Insider “Lock-It-In Rates” and a $100 promotional bar tab are available on select voyages and cabin categories.

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MSC Cruises is offering up to 40% off the cruise fare and more

From Nov. 26 – 29, MSC Cruises is offering up to 40% off the cruise fare, drinks and Wi-Fi included, and an onboard credit of up to $500.

The MSC Black Friday sale will provide at least $1,100 in added value for a 7-night cruise, and at least $800 in added value for a four-night cruise. The onboard credit offered varies based on the sailing length and stateroom category.

ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise

Black Friday perks are available on ultra-luxury cruises too

Now through Dec. 10, Norwegian’s ultra-premium cruise line Oceania Cruises is offering perks that provide up to $5,500 in added value per stateroom through its Black Friday sale.

When booking with promotional code "UGBF," passengers can receive up to a four-category stateroom upgrade plus their choice of one additional amenity. Choices include a premium drink package (unlimited wine, beer, and spirits), shipboard credit up to $1,000, or free/reduced airfare.

Carnival’s ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn is also offering value-added benefits on select 2025 and 2026 ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages through Dec. 3 during its “Black Friday Sail.” Benefits offered to those who book during the sale include a two-category veranda suite upgrade and a 15% reduced deposit in the U.S., Canadian and Australian markets.

Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.

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This story was originally published November 26, 2024, 6:26 AM.