Black Friday cruise deals 2024: Here are the best preholiday bargains at sea

With cruises selling like hotcakes, you’re already behind if you haven’t yet thought about your 2025 summer vacation. Fortunately for those just starting to plan ahead, many cruise lines are offering Black Friday deals this year, allowing you to take advantage of fare discounts and perks like cabin upgrades, “third and fourth passengers free” offers, onboard credit, free airfare and other bonuses. With many of these bargains already live, you don’t have to wait until after Thanksgiving to get a jump on cruise shopping.

Because demand for cruises is so high, fares are, too. That means the deals we’re seeing this year aren’t quite as good as in previous years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still find some savings and added value.

It’s easy to be swept up in offers that tout what appear to be great markdowns — either a set amount of money off or percentage discounts — but the fares might not be as cheap as you’re led to believe. Always make sure you’re comfortable with the final price, what you’re receiving in value from any added perks and what you’ll be paying per person, per night, before you book any voyage.

Check back often. We’ll update this article as new deals roll out leading up to the holidays.

Through Dec. 7, save up to 20% on cruise fares with Atlas Ocean Voyages‘ Black Friday offer. Also, earn up to $600 in onboard credit per cabin or suite. The promotion includes 19 different expeditions that begin in March 2025, including sailings to polar regions like Antarctica.

Aurora Expeditions

Small-ship sustainable expedition cruise line Aurora Expeditions can save you up to 25% off Antarctica sailings departing in 2024 and 2025 and up to 20% off plus free cabin upgrades on Arctic voyages setting sail in 2025. Solo travelers can also reap the benefits of select 2025 Arctic bookings with waived single supplements. This offer will be available through Dec. 3.

River cruise line Avalon Waterways is running a “From Here to Anywhere” sale through Dec. 13, extending an offer for a free Panorama Suite upgrade and included crew gratuities. These extras apply to select sailings departing between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. It can be combined with Welcome Back loyalty credits, as well as other promotions.

Azamara

Azamara is offering significant Black Friday savings through Dec. 4. Passengers can take 20% off cruise fares for a total savings of up to $4,000, depending on the cabin type booked. This deal can also be combined with the line’s current November promotion that earns cruisers up to $750 in onboard credit per cabin, based on itinerary length.

With the “Free Room Upgrade Great Rates” sale, you can book select Carnival sailings departing through March 2025 and save up to 40% on cruise fares for the first and second passengers in each cabin. Plus, enjoy free cabin upgrades. You can take advantage of this offer through Dec. 8.

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Celebrity Cruises

Cruising is more fun when you bring a friend. Through Dec. 9, Celebrity Cruises is giving you 75% off a second cruise fare when you buy one at regular price for select voyages of three nights or longer departing through May 10, 2027. That means you can choose to travel at the last minute or plan a bit more in advance. Plus, you’ll also snag up to an additional $700 per cabin in savings on fares.

Black Friday is a relatively new concept for Italian cruise line Costa Cruises, which has only recently begun to make its presence known in the North American market. This year, through Dec. 1, the line is offering passengers Black Friday deals, including fares from as little as $499 per person for cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. As part of the promotion, new sailings will be unlocked each week leading up to the holidays, so be sure to check back.

Although it isn’t technically a Black Friday deal, passengers making new Crystal bookings by Nov. 30 for sailings departing through 2025 will be entitled to free cabin upgrades, as well as complimentary dry-cleaning services, as part of the brand’s Suite Dreams upgrade offer. The line is also deeply discounting single supplements for cruisers traveling alone. Book by Nov. 30 to take advantage of solo rates from just 5% of the second fare.

Cunard

Through Dec. 1, travelers booking suites in Cunard‘s posh Princess and Queens Grills will earn up to $400 per cabin in onboard credit. Although the credit is available only for the top room types, savings abound across the board, with inside cabin rates starting from $899 per person. Destinations include Alaska, the Norwegian fjords, New England and, of course, the line’s iconic transatlantic crossings between Southampton, England, and New York City. Be sure to use promo code “RDC” when booking. This offer only applies to the first two guests in each room.

Although Disney Cruise Line rarely runs Black Friday-specific offers, it’s discounting select last-minute sailings — including 2024 Very Merrytime holiday cruises — into February 2025 from Galveston, Texas; Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Florida; Honolulu; and Sydney. Passengers who book one of these three- to 15-night voyages will save up to 20% on fares for guarantee cabins. That means you won’t get to select your specific room, but you’re guaranteed to get one in the category you select or higher. Full nonrefundable payment and booking information for all guests are required at the time of reservation.

Emerald Cruises

Through Dec. 1, river cruise fans can save on select 2025 Emerald Cruises sailings with two-for-one fares and up to an additional 40% in discounts. A similar offer is extended to passengers on the line’s boutique yachts, featuring two-for-one fares and up to an extra 30% off. This is your sign to finally book the tulip cruise or Danube sailing you’ve been eyeing or to take that Caribbean or Greek Isles trip that will finally allow you some time to relax on the beach.

Young, wealthy professionals will enjoy this new brand of luxury, courtesy of the family who brought you MSC Cruises. Now through Dec. 4, you’ll save up to 50% on select Explora Journeys voyages and pay deposits as little as 5% of the overall cost of your sailing with the line’s Black Friday Exclusive Sale.

Grand Circle Travel

If a river cruise is on your travel agenda for 2025, you’re in luck. Grand Circle is providing its passengers with a choice of two deals to celebrate the holiday season. The first is savings of up to $500 on all voyages next year. The second is free airfare — up to a $2,000 value — for anyone wishing to travel from February through June of 2025. Plus, customers will receive an additional 10% off if they pay in full at the time of booking. Reservations must be made by Dec. 2 using promo code “BLACKFRIDAY24.”

Enjoy up to 25% off sailings with Holland America‘s Black Friday offer, which runs through Dec. 1. In addition to savings, passengers who book a cruise before the deadline will receive included gratuities, 50% reduced deposits and free fares for third and fourth passengers sharing a cabin with the first two cruisers. This offer is valid for more than 800 voyages departing through October 2026.

Through Dec. 9, cruisers interested in HX‘s sustainable expedition voyages to places like the Galapagos, Antarctica and more can save up to 50% on cruise fares. Plus, the line’s all-inclusive fares roll gratuities, drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions and all meals into the price you’ll pay to sail. This offer is valid for cruises departing between Dec. 1, 2024, and Oct. 31, 2025.

Additionally, Hurtigruten, the original Norwegian coastal arm of the company, is offering anywhere from 25%-50% off select voyages departing Dec. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, when you book a cabin through Dec. 2.

Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville at Sea, Jimmy Buffett’s oceangoing cruise brand, is offering up to 60% off cruise fares for sailings departing through April 2026. Two people can sail on a two-night voyage from $99 — less than $25 per person, per night. Additionally, third and fourth passengers sharing the same cabin will sail free (excluding taxes and fees). Anyone who books as part of the promotion will also receive up to $300 in onboard credit, based on cruise length. This offer is available through Nov. 30 on the Margaritaville website.

MSC Cruises is hosting a Black Friday sale touting up to 40% in savings on cruise fares plus free basic alcohol and Wi-Fi packages. Depending on cruise length and room type booked, passengers will also earn up to $500 in onboard credit per cabin. Voyages offered under this promotion include those on new ship MSC World America, which is set to debut in April of 2025.

Until Dec. 1, NCL is running a Black Friday sale that will net you 50% off all cruises and a slew of freebies. Book now and rake in up to $2,000 in value (based on a seven-day cruise) in the way of free airfare (for a second passenger when you pay for one airfare through the cruise line), unlimited open bar, included specialty dining, shore excursion credits and the option for third and fourth passengers to sail free when sharing a cabin with two other cruisers.

Overseas Adventure Travel

If you’re 50 or older and you’re a fan of small-group cruises, you can enjoy $500 off any 2025 voyage with Overseas Adventure Travel. Or, if you’re able to travel last minute, you can score savings of up to $6,200 per person on select voyages departing from January through June 2025. Just reserve your cabin by Dec. 2 using promo code “BLACKFRIDAY24” to receive the discount. Plus, if you pay in full at the time of booking, you’ll save an additional 10%..

Oceania Cruises

Luxury cruisers can score up to a four-category cabin upgrade when they book one of more than 90 Oceania cruises departing in 2025. To make the deal even more enticing, you’ll also receive a choice of a premium alcohol package, up to $1,000 in onboard credit or free airfare. This promotion will be available through Dec. 10.

For its “Best Gift Ever” sale, upscale one-ship cruise line Paul Gauguin, which specializes in French Polynesia voyages, is offering savings of up to $2,900 per person on select seven- to 20-night sailings departing in 2025. Book by Jan. 3, 2025, and use code “XMAS24.”

Through Nov. 29, Princess cruisers can take 50% off cruise fares and 50% off deposits when they book select voyages departing through 2026. Plus, they’ll earn up to $500 in onboard credit per cabin (up to $250 per person for the first two booked passengers in a room), based on cruise length.

This year, the ultraluxury line Regent‘s Black Friday deal is meant as a supplement for a larger “Gift of Travel” promotion the brand is running. From now through Dec. 31, anyone who books a suite on one of the line’s ships will save up to 40% on select 2025 cruises to Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and other destinations. But, when you book by Nov. 30 under the Black Friday Bonus offer, you’ll also receive up to $1,000 per cabin in onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean

As part of its Black Friday sale, family-friendly cruise line Royal Caribbean is discounting sailings by up to $750 when you book through Dec. 9. If that’s not quite enough, you’ll reap additional savings on the second passenger in each cabin; kids 12 and younger sail free when they’re the third and fourth passengers in a cabin shared with two paying adults.

Who doesn’t love a good BOGO offer? Through Dec. 1, Scenic’s high-end river and expedition voyages are on sale with the line offering two-for-one fare discounts. Plus, travelers who book one of the line’s luxury yacht expedition voyages will reap an extra 35% in savings. This offer is valid on select sailings departing through 2026. Solo cruisers can also enjoy waived single supplements for last-minute cruises departing in 2024 or reduced single supplements on select trips in 2025 and 2026.

Seabourn Cruise Line

This year, luxury cruise line Seabourn is extending up to a two-category cabin upgrade and a 15% reduced deposit when travelers book by Dec. 3. This “Black Friday Sail” deal applies to more than 350 select ocean and expedition voyages departing in 2025 and 2026.

Beginning Nov. 29 and running through Dec. 2, small-ship cruise line Sea Cloud is offering up to 65% off cruises on its Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II and Sea Cloud Spirit ships. This offer is available on 10 of the line’s 2025 departures to the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

With Silversea‘s Black Friday deal, luxury cruisers can save up to $6,000 under the line’s “Sale Away” promotion. When you book a sailing with the line through Dec. 2 and opt for Port-to-Port (all onboard dining, drinks included, along with butler service and a shore excursion package) or Door-to-Door (everything offered under Port-to-Port, plus transportation from your home to the airport, airport to ship and back again) all-inclusive fares, you’ll earn discounts on more than 550 ocean and expedition voyages. This offer also comes with a 15% reduced deposit that’s fully refundable.

Star Clippers

Beginning Nov. 28 and running through Dec. 31, Star Clippers is offering discounts on voyages aboard masted sailing ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer. When travelers who have previously cruised with the line book another trip by the deadline, they’ll receive a 10% discount. Those who are new to the line will receive 5% off their bookings. This bargain applies to select 2025 and 2026 sailings in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Central America.

Cruisers looking for a high-end expedition experience can save up to $8,000 on balcony cabins when they book on one of a dozen Swan Hellenic voyages departing between Dec. 22, 2024, and Oct. 9, 2025. The line is also offering discounts on single supplements, allowing lone cruisers to travel more affordably. Just be sure to book by Dec. 4.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Kicking off on Black Friday, Nov. 29, ultraluxury river cruise line Uniworld will release one new promotion each weekday for 12 days as part of its “12 Days of Christmas” event. Deals range from 50% off cruises and free trip extensions to suite upgrades, waived solo supplements and other surprises. These deals are good on select 2025 voyages.

Through Dec. 4, Victory Cruise Lines — an all-inclusive small-ship line that sails the Great Lakes and Canadian coast — is running a Black Friday sale that features $2,000 in savings per cabin on Great Lakes voyages departing in April, May and June 2025. You’ll also snag a free shore excursion in your port of embarkation, which will either be Chicago or Toronto, depending on the itinerary you select. Use code “BLACKFRIDAY” when booking.

Windstar Cruises

Through March 31, 2025, Windstar is offering passengers a “Pick Your Perk” promotion that allows them to choose from either a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay or a $1,000 onboard credit. Cruisers booked in premium suites can also select from a third option — an all-inclusive fare, which would include unlimited alcohol, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities. As a special Black Friday supplement, the line is allowing reduced deposits of just $300 through Dec. 2. These offers are valid on select cruises setting sail through June 2026.

Viking

Viking, which operates river and ocean cruises, as well as expedition sailings and voyages on the Great Lakes, is extending savings and perks to passengers through Nov. 30. For all cruise types, travelers can enjoy reduced fares, as well as deposits of just $25 per person and free or discounted airfare.

River cruise passengers can enjoy cruise fares from $1,999 per person (which include airport transfers, one excursion in each port, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and complimentary Wi-Fi), free international airfare between select cities and $25 deposits on voyages through 2027. Ocean cruisers receive reduced (from $750) or free international airfare, fare discounts and $25 deposits on sailings through 2026. Expedition cruise options include reduced fares, free international airfare between select cities and $25 deposits.

To kick off Black Friday, trendy adults-only Virgin Voyages has announced a whopper of a sale — and you get to pick from two great offers. Through Dec. 3, purchase one full cruise fare, and the second passenger in your cabin will sail for 80% off. Plus, depending on the length of the sailing you book, you’ll score up to $300 in drink credits to put toward your bar tab. Or, if you’re not a big drinker and you’re just searching for a more affordable cruise fare, you can opt for prices as low as $99 per person, per night. This bargain is available on cruises departing through Oct. 31, 2026.

In addition to booking directly through your cruise line, you can also reach out to a travel adviser. Agents have access to the same great deals the lines are offering, but sometimes they can throw in a few more extras, such as free bottles of wine or onboard credit. Before booking anything directly, it might be worth a phone call.

For any cruise deal, run the numbers to see if you’re better off booking directly with the cruise line, a travel agent or with an airline cruise vacation specialist. United Cruises, for example, frequently offers additional incentives for passengers to book through its portal. At the time of publication, cruisers who have Premier status with United could take advantage of perks like free bottles of wine, spa credit and bonus United miles when they book a sailing with select lines through United Cruises.

American Airlines Cruises has a similar portal that allows you to enjoy perks like waived deposits and bonus American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

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