Cruise Lines Launch Early Black Friday Deals
The festive shopping season is here, and Black Friday cruise deals are already rolling out. Many arrived early this year. Travelers are now in the window for a season of tempting offers that could unlock big savings on future trips, including some as late as 2028.
These Black Friday deals are no longer limited to one weekend. Several lines launched in early November. Virgin Voyages even opened a presale on Oct. 31. Cruise lines are highlighting everything from fare reductions of up to $10,000 to drinks packages and up to $750 in onboard credit. Some brands are promoting short Caribbean weekends. Others are pushing longer Europe and Alaska itineraries for 2026 and 2027.
Most sales run through early December. After that, we head into Wave season, with the likely chance of a holiday or New Year’s offer tucked in between.
There is a lot to unpack across all the deals. New offers are still appearing, and many lines are layering promotions throughout the month. CruiseNews is tracking every update and breaking down the details so you can compare and plan your next sea-bound vacation.
So, check back with us often.
Early Black Friday Entrants
This year’s promotion so-far include broad fare discounts. Many lines feature strong 3rd and 4th-passenger savings. We’ve compiled the deals on-offer to-date in the following table:
| Cruise Line | Start Date | End Date | Cruise Savings | Onboard Credit | Free or Reduced 2nd, 3rd & 4th Pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival | 11/12 | 11/25 | Up to $1,090 per room | $25 per cabin | Free/reduced 3rd & 4th on select sailings |
| Celebrity | 11/01 | 12/08 | Up to $800 per room | 75% off 2nd guest+ | |
| Cunard | 11/05 | 12/08 | Up to 40% off select voyages | ||
| Holland America | 11/12 | 12/04 | Up to 30% off cruise fare Free prepaid gratuities 50% Reduced Deposits | Free/reduced 3rd & 4th on select sailings | |
| MSC Cruises | 11/05 | 12/04 | Up to 40% off | Up to $200 per cabin | |
| Norwegian | 11/09 | 11/26 | 50% off all cruises + Free at Sea (WiFi) | Free/reduced 3rd & 4th on select sailings | |
| Princess | 11/13 | 12/12 | Up to $250 instant savings + up to 50% off | Free/reduced 3rd & 4th on select sailings | |
| Royal Caribbean | 11/04 | 12/04 | Up to $900 off select | Up to $750 per cabin | 3rd & 4th on select sailings sail free |
| Virgin Voyages | 10/31 | 11/30 | Up to $400 bar tab | Up to 80% off 2nd guest | |
| Silversea | 11/11 | 12/01 | Up to $10,000 per suite |
These early offers also share a few common threads. Fare reductions remain the headline, but many brands are pairing those cuts with extra perks to round out the value. The three most common selling points this year are:
- Free or discounted extras:
Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, and Virgin are offering added-value perks such as free Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities or reduced deposits. These perks vary by brand. Some package them into premium bundles, while others apply them on select sailings. - Reduced or free second, third and fourth passengers:
Virgin and Celebrity stand out with an up-to-80% and up-to-75%, respectively, off for a second person pre-sale offer. Carnival, Holland America, NCL Princess and Royal Caribbean also feature reduced or complimentary fares for 3rd and 4ths in the same stateroom on select sailings. This remains one of the strongest family-focused incentives during Black Friday. - Onboard Credit:
Some brands include onboard credit in their Black Friday packages. Virgin Voyages offers up to $400 in bar tab credit, depending on cabin type and voyage length. MSC offers up to $200 in onboard credit for some promotional windows.
The Window Is Widening
Cruise lines are stretching their Black Friday timelines in both directions. Virgin Voyages was first to market, launching its main Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer on Halloween day. These early launches show how the season now begins well before the holiday weekend.
The offers are also running later. Princess’ offer runs through Dec. 12. Cunard will keep its sale active through Dec. 8. And Celebrity is doing the same. These extended windows give you more time to browse and secure preferred cabins before January’s peak demand.
CruiseNews will keep monitoring these early and late windows. We expect more updates as Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaches and will add new details for you as they appear.
Flexibility Equals Savings
Many cruise lines are offering deals on select sailings only, even when the headline suggests wider coverage. Check which dates and itineraries qualify, because most lines apply their biggest savings to specific departures rather than the full schedule. And if you really want the best pricing, close-in departures are a great place to start.
For instance, at press time, Celebrity is listing a four-night Key West and Bimini itinerary aboard Celebrity Reflection that starts at $197 per person, no single supplement, for several inside staterooms. The cruise departs Dec. 1, 2025, and that works out to about $50 per night. It might be more expensive to stay home if you live in the greater Fort Lauderdale area.
The takeaway? Staying nimble can pay off in this gauntlet of offers.
Wave Season Starts Early
Black Friday now signals the unofficial start of Wave season. The big January push is still ahead, but more deals and fresh offers are coming. Cruise lines treat Black Friday and Wave season differently, and each period highlights its own selling points.
Black Friday usually leans on straightforward dollars-off savings. Wave season leans on perk bundles. Those perks may include drinks, Wi-Fi or gratuities, which add strong value on longer itineraries.
Year-end holidays also shape this pattern. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s bring friends and families together. These gatherings spark real conversations about future travel. People rarely book during the holidays, but they do decide what they want. Most follow through once Wave season begins in January.
The key is knowing where you find the most value. Some travelers want the pure fare cuts of November. Others prefer the bundled perks that arrive with Wave season. Keep an eye on both if your plans are flexible. One period may offer the right savings for your style, and the other may give you a reason to plan the next trip.
How Black Friday Cruise Deals Became a Key Part of Cruise Shopping
Cruise lines joined Black Friday with simple offers at first. Early deals focused on short Caribbean trips and last-minute departures. As online shopping grew, cruise lines expanded their promotions. Each year brought longer windows, better perks and stronger savings.
Today, Black Friday Cruise Deals are a major event. They shape planning before Wave season and match the wider holiday shopping rhythm. Travelers now expect November promotions as part of their cruise-planning cycle.
CruiseNews will continue monitoring every Black Friday update. We will add new offers as cruise lines release fresh details.
