Black Friday All-inclusive Cruise Deals You Can’t Miss

Understanding What All-Inclusive Means When You Cruise

While these packages may be labeled "all-inclusive," it's vital to understand what’s actually included and what’s not. As of mid-2024, the base cruise fare covers ship accommodations, ocean transportation, most onboard meals, some beverages and selected onboard entertainment. Premium extras like specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions and specialty beverages may be excluded unless you pre-purchase add-ons.

Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals commonly offer deep discounts, up to 50% off beverage, dining, internet packages or excursions. This makes it a prime time to bundle in extras like a Deluxe Beverage package at a much lower cost than on board or later.

To maximize the value of your Black Friday Caribbean vacation deals, for example, cruise insiders recommend planning ahead and monitoring deals closely. Since Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing that can change quickly based on demand, some savvy travelers have reported significant savings on drink packages or water-park passes for as little as $50 per person during early Black Friday deals.

To capture the best prices, start browsing a few days before Black Friday, keep checking daily and lock in extras via the Cruise Planner when the discount peaks. Combined with instant savings on the cruise fare and onboard credits, these deals can deliver outstanding value for Caribbean itineraries in particular.

Why Black Friday Deals Always Hit The Right Travel Spot

There are always good travel deals on Black Friday, and the value you'll find depends on your specific travel situation. For example, if you're simply looking to save on flights, you may only see a Black Friday bargain if you're flying to certain destinations on a specific airline. Likewise, the time of year you plan to travel can influence how much you save.

Sometimes, you'll already have a flight in mind and only need a hotel or rental car. While these deals tend to be more tailored to destination and seasonality than flights, they can be just as lucrative. To increase your odds of landing one of these cyber vacation deal specials, try to be open to many potential vacation spots and times of year — follow the deals to your destinations.

You can usually find the best bargains on all-inclusive Black Friday deals, which combine hotels, flights and even rental cars. Travel providers are looking to clear as much inventory as possible and will reward travelers willing to pre-book their travel. Depending on the deal, you may also save if you book activities or excursions as part of your travel package.

The good news is that with the right information and enough enthusiasm, you'll be ready to go whenever this year’s Black Friday vacation packages go live. If you happen to find discounts on Black Friday cruise deals above and beyond the exceptional value that cruises usually offer, you may land on your best trip yet. In all cases, navigating the flood of promotions requires a sharp eye and a strategy.

First, always compare what each “all-inclusive” package actually covers. With cruises, inclusions typically mean accommodations, meals in main dining venues, onboard entertainment and select beverages. You’ll want to factor in the cost of extras like specialty dining and shore excursions.

Resorts may bundle alcoholic beverages and activities more comprehensively, but cruises often counter with variety: multiple destinations in one trip, a mix of entertainment and increasingly generous Black Friday promotions. For many travelers, the value of sailing to three or four islands in a single week can outweigh the static setting of one all-inclusive resort.

The Beauty of Perfect Timing

Timing also makes a significant difference. Caribbean itineraries during peak holiday weeks, for example, will cost more than shoulder season sailings in early December or late January. Black Friday is an unmissable opportunity to secure lower fares for these high-demand dates or to stretch your budget further by opting for longer itineraries at shoulder season rates.

Some cruise lines also offer enhanced Black Friday vacation packages that include flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel stays and even car hire, making them truly turnkey travel experiences. Booking early during the Black Friday window is always the secret key, since the best deals on these bundled packages tend to sell out quickly. 

By staying flexible on destinations, comparing what’s included and acting fast when deals appear, you’ll be positioned to lock in a memorable (and fantastically affordable) all-inclusive cruise.