Black Friday is not only a major retail sales event, but the cruise lines get into the action as well with their own set of deals and promotions.
Royal Caribbean has not revealed what its 2023 Black Friday deals will be, nor if we can expect any kind of Black Friday promotion.
While we wait to see what deals might be offered in 2021, here is a look back at the last few Black Friday offers to get a sense of what has been offered in the past. It is important to note that past promotions are not indicative of what might be coming this year.
What is Black Friday?
If you are unaware, Black Friday is a major sales event in primarily the United States, where there are major sales the day after the Thanksgiving holiday to kick off the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.
Traditionally, retailers offer their best deals of the year on Black Friday in order to kick-start their best sales times, and you typically see crazy low prices on consumer electronics and other goods.
The cruise lines have gotten into the spirit of the event, by offering their own promotions. Cruise lines typically have their best offers in the early part of the year during Wave Season, but since so many consumers are looking for new sales, Royal Caribbean has offered some too.
Black Friday 2022
Royal Caribbean's Cyber Week Sale in 2022 ran between November 17 - November 22, 2022.
There was a 30% off every guest and Kids Sail Free offer.
The Cruise Planner sale ran between November 18, 2022 and November 25, 2022. It had:
- Up to 30% Off all access tour
- Up to 50% off beverage packages
- Up to 50% off shore excursions
- Up to 35% off internet packages
- Up to 50% off specialty dining
- Up to 20% off gifts and gear
- Up to 65% off photo packages
- Up to 30% off spa
Full 2022 Black Friday offer details
Black Friday 2021
The Cruise Planner sale ran between November 23 - December 1, 2021. It offered:
- Up to 50% off beverage packages
- Up to 50% off shore excursions
- Up to 60% off internet packages
- Up to 55% off specialty dining
- Up to 55% off gifts and gear
- Up to 70% off photo packages
- Up to 30% off spa
Full 2021 Black Friday offer details
Black Friday 2020
Royal Caribbean's Cyber Week Sale in 2020 ran between November 24 - December 1, 2020 and offered a bundle of savings, with up to $550 off cruise fares.
Guests could combine the Cyber Week Sale with the November monthly offer, which provided 60% off the second guest, and kids sail free.
In addition, there was a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale on pre-cruise add-ons, like drink packages, shore excursions, wifi and more.
Black Friday 2019
Royal Caribbean offered a Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal in 2019, although it was effectively the same offer.
The Cyber Weekend sale ran between November 27 - December 2, 2019.
- 60% off second guest
- Instant savings up to $300 off
- Kids Sail Free
In addition, there was a Black Friday sale on pre-cruise purchases such as 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.
Black Friday 2018
Royal Caribbean's Black Friday and Cyber Monday deal in 2018 offered a very similar deal to the 2019 offer.
The Cyber Weekend sale ran between November 22, 2018 – November 27, 2018.
- 60% off second guest
- 30% off third guests and higher in same room as first two qualified guests
- Instant savings up to $300 off
- Kids Sail Free
The 2018 Cyber Monday Cruise Planner sale offered up to 40% off pre-cruise purchases, including up to 40% off drink packages, up to 25% off excursions, up to 60% off internet and 20% off specialty dining.
The pre-cruise planner sale ran between November 23, 2018 - November 27, 2018.
Black Friday 2017
The Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal in 2017 had a sligtly different combination compared to 2018-2019.
- 50% off second guest
- 25% Savings for 3/4 guests “Kids Sail for Less”
- Up to $400 Onboard Credit per stateroom
- The extra $100 was for booking more than six months in advance
The 2017 Black Friday Sale on Cruise Planner purchases offered up to 30% off everything in the store, such as beverage packages, shore excursions and more.
Black Friday 2016
The 2016 Black Friday through Cyber Monday Super Sale ran between November 26 - 28, 2016.
- 50% Reduced Deposits
- Up to $300 Onboard Credit per stateroom
- BOGO 50% off with 25% savings for 3rd and 4th guests
- up to $100 Onboard Credit per stateroom
There was also a Cruise Planner sale in 2016 for pre-cruise purchases on beverage packages, shore excursions and more.
Black Friday 2015
In 2015, Royal Caribbean offered slightly different offers for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Black Friday offered:
- 50% off second guest
- 50% reduced deposit
- Up to $300 per stateroom onboard credit
- 25% off 3rd and 4th guests in a room
- One Voom internet package for one device on Anthem, Harmony, Allure, Oasis, Freedom, and Enchantment of the Seas on sailings departing between May 1 - September 30, 2016.
The Cyber Monday sale was essentially the same as the Black Friday sale, but with a bit more onboard credit.
- 50% off second guest
- 50% reduced deposit
- Up to $400 per stateroom onboard credit
- 25% off 3rd and 4th guests in a room
- One Voom internet package for one device on Anthem, Harmony, Allure, Oasis, Freedom, and Enchantment of the Seas on sailings departing between May 1 - September 30, 2016.
Should you wait until Black Friday to book a cruise?
If you want to get the best possible deal, your best bet is to actually book a cruise or cruise planner purchase now and rebook if the price goes down later.
There is no telling what Royal Caribbean's Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals will be in 2020, but the best strategy for getting the lowest price is to book now at current rates and then compare to thee new prices if/when a deal is announced later.
By booking now, you can lock in the current rates. If there is a better sale between now and Black Friday, you can always get a price adjustment.
One of the overlooked, yet quite significant, benefits of the Cruise with Confidence program is Royal Caribbean's Best Price Guarantee has been expanded.
This means guests can now take advantage of price drops after final payment date, up until 48 hours before the cruise, and it applies to all countries.
Price variances will result in a rate adjustment if requested outside of final payment or a non-refundable onboard credit when inside final payment period.
Pre-cruise purchases for drink packages or excursions are even easier to cancel and rebook to take advantage of a lower price.
Since you can take advantage of price drops later, you do not have to worry that you missed a better deal in the weeks leading up to Black Friday.
