Royal Caribbean does run Black Friday sales, but the deals are not always the deepest discounts of the year
Royal Caribbean typically offers Black Friday promotions in November, usually starting the week before Thanksgiving and running through Cyber Monday. These sales include reduced fares on cruises, onboard credits (money to spend on the ship), and sometimes free or discounted add-ons like beverage packages or specialty dining. However, the discounts are often matched or beaten by other sale periods — particularly wave season (January through March) and flash sales throughout the year.
The size of the Black Friday discount depends on the sailing date and how far out you book. Cruises departing months away typically see larger percentage reductions than sailings leaving within weeks. Royal Caribbean also layers promotions: you might see a base fare reduction plus an onboard credit, or a drink package discount stacked on top of a lower cruise price.
Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean Black Friday sales run from roughly one week before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, with reduced fares and onboard credits as the main offers.
- Wave season (January through March) often delivers equal or better discounts than Black Friday, so comparing both periods before booking is worth the time.
- Onboard credits from Black Friday sales can be used for drinks, dining, excursions, or cabin upgrades once you are on the ship.
- Sailings departing within 30 days rarely see Black Friday discounts; the best reductions explore to cruises six months or more away.
How Royal Caribbean Black Friday pricing works
Royal Caribbean does not announce Black Friday sales weeks in advance the way some retailers do. The company typically reveals promotions a few days before the sale begins, usually by email to past guests and through its website. Prices drop on the Royal Caribbean booking page itself — there is no separate Black Friday code or portal to use.
The promotions are tiered by sailing date. A cruise departing in June might drop 20 to 30 percent, while one leaving in three weeks might see no discount at all. Royal Caribbean prioritizes filling cabins on future sailings, so the further out your travel date, the more aggressive the discount tends to be.
Onboard credits during Black Friday typically range from $50 to $300 per cabin, depending on the cruise length and cabin type. A seven-day sailing in a standard inside cabin might come with a $100 credit, while a longer voyage or suite might include $200 or more. These credits are non-transferable and expire at the end of your cruise.
Wave season deals versus Black Friday
Wave season — the industry term for the January-through-March booking push — often delivers better value than Black Friday. During wave season, Royal Caribbean competes heavily with other cruise lines for bookings, and discounts can reach 30 to 40 percent on select sailings. The onboard credits are sometimes larger as well.
The trade-off is timing. Wave season deals explore mostly to sailings in the second half of the year, whereas Black Friday sales cover a wider range of departure dates. If you are planning a summer cruise, Black Friday may offer the first real discount of the season. If you are flexible on timing and can wait until January, wave season often beats Black Friday on price.
Many travelers book during Black Friday to lock in a sailing date, then rebook during wave season if a better deal appears. Royal Caribbean allows free cancellation up to a certain point before departure (usually 75 to 90 days), so this strategy can work — though you will need to monitor prices yourself.
What usually goes on sale during Black Friday
Base cruise fares are the primary discount. Royal Caribbean reduces the per-person nightly rate across most sailings, with larger reductions on longer voyages. A three-day cruise might drop $30 to $50 per person per night, while a seven-day sailing might fall $60 to $100 per person per night.
Onboard credits are bundled into most Black Friday packages. These can be used for any onboard expense: specialty restaurants, the spa, casino, shore excursions booked through the ship, or beverage packages. Some guests use them to upgrade their cabin category after booking.
Beverage packages and specialty dining packages sometimes receive separate discounts during Black Friday. A drink package that normally costs $15 per person per day might drop to $12, or specialty dining might be discounted 20 percent. These are usually offered as add-ons at checkout rather than automatic inclusions.
Sailings that rarely see Black Friday discounts
Cruises departing within 30 days almost never receive Black Friday discounts. Royal Caribbean has already filled most of those cabins, so there is no incentive to reduce price. Last-minute deals on these sailings come from other sources — flash sales, loyalty discounts, or group bookings.
Peak-season sailings — particularly school holiday weeks and summer Fridays — see smaller Black Friday reductions than shoulder-season sailings. A cruise during spring break might drop 10 to 15 percent, while the same ship sailing the week before might drop 25 percent. Royal Caribbean knows peak weeks will fill regardless of discount depth.
Inaugural sailings (a ship's first voyage on a new route) and sailings on new ships rarely discount during Black Friday. These sailings command premium pricing and typically do not need promotional help to fill.
How to track Black Friday sales if you are not on the email list
Royal Caribbean publishes Black Friday promotions on its main website homepage and in the "Deals" or "Promotions" section. You can check these pages starting the week before Thanksgiving without signing up for anything.
Cruise deal websites like CruCon, Cruise Fever, and Cruise Compete monitor Royal Caribbean pricing and alert subscribers when sales begin. These sites are free to use and can catch promotions you might miss if you only check Royal Caribbean directly.
If you have sailed with Royal Caribbean before, you are likely on their email list. Past guests receive promotional emails a few days before Black Friday sales go live, giving you a small head start. You can also log into your Royal Caribbean account and check the "My Offers" section for personalized deals.
Comparing Black Friday to other booking windows
Black Friday sits in the middle of the discount spectrum. It is better than last-minute pricing but often trails wave season. The advantage of Black Friday is breadth — more sailing dates and ship options are on sale compared to flash sales, which target specific itineraries.
| Booking Period | Typical Discount Range | Best For | Onboard Credit Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Friday (November) | 15–30% | Summer and fall sailings | $50–$300 |
| Wave Season (January–March) | 25–40% | Second-half-of-year sailings | $75–$350 |
| Flash Sales (year-round) | 10–25% | Specific ships or routes | $25–$150 |
| Last-Minute (30 days or less) | 5–15% | Flexible travelers | $0–$75 |
When you are deciding between booking windows, look at the total cost including the onboard credit. A sailing with a 20 percent discount and a $200 credit may cost less overall than one with a 30 percent discount and a $50 credit. Royal Caribbean's website shows both the reduced fare and the credit amount before you complete your booking, so you can compare the full value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a promo code for Royal Caribbean Black Friday sales?
No. Royal Caribbean Black Friday discounts are automatic — the reduced prices appear on the booking page when you search for sailings. You do not need to enter a code or claim anything. The discount applies to the base fare and any bundled onboard credit.
Can I combine Black Friday discounts with loyalty discounts or group rates?
Usually not. Royal Caribbean typically requires you to choose one promotion. If you are a loyalty member or part of a group, compare the Black Friday price to your loyalty or group rate before booking. Sometimes the loyalty discount is better, sometimes Black Friday is — it depends on the sailing.
What happens if the price drops after I book during Black Friday?
Royal Caribbean allows you to rebook at a lower price if fares drop before your final payment important date (usually 75 to 90 days before departure). You would need to cancel your current booking and rebook at the new rate. Check your booking confirmation for the exact final payment date.
Are Black Friday discounts the same for all cabin types?
No. Inside cabins typically see the largest percentage discounts, while suites and premium cabins see smaller reductions. The onboard credit amount varies by cabin type — suites receive larger credits than inside cabins on the same sailing.
Should I book Black Friday or wait for wave season?
If your sailing is in the summer or early fall, Black Friday may be your best opportunity. If you are flexible and can travel in the second half of the year, wave season (January through March) often delivers deeper discounts. Check both periods and compare the total cost including onboard credits.