You don't need to wait until Thanksgiving for these early Black Friday cruise offers
Waiting until after Thanksgiving for Black Friday promotions is so 2019. For the past three years, cruise lines have released their pre-holiday deals early, and 2023 is following the trend, with several cruise brands having released their offers as early as the beginning of November.
Early deal releases began in an effort to drum up business during the industrywide pandemic shutdown in 2020. Due to the resounding success of the pre-Turkey Day launches — and Americans' insatiable desire for bargains — cruise lines have kept up the practice.
In recent years, deals have focused on value-added perks like onboard credit, complimentary Wi-Fi and drink package add-ons, and "kids sail free" inclusions. We're seeing more of the same this year, but with a few more fare discounts added to the mix. Additionally, most of the promos we're seeing are for sailings in 2024 and beyond; few, if any, are for last-minute sailings, which is due to how well cruises have been selling in 2023.
Although this year's offers aren't quite as stellar as the ones we saw when the industry was on shaky ground, there are still a few that stand out in terms of excellent value. Here are some of the best deals we've seen so far, with several more set to be released by various lines over the next week. Check back for our full roundup of nearly two dozen deals, which will be published Nov. 20.
Celebrity Cruises
Through Dec. 5, Celebrity is running a "buy one, get one 75% off" promotion that will let you bring a travel companion for nearly free when you pay full price for yourself. This offer is valid on nearly all voyages through April 30, 2026, which means you can opt to save on a last-minute sailing or plan your travels well in advance. You can also earn up to $300 in onboard credit, depending on the length of the sailing booked.
Holland America
Beginning Friday, for bookings made through Dec. 1, Holland America is running a special offer of up to 30% off fares for select voyages through 2025. This deal also includes crew gratuities, which is a value of $108.50 to $119 per person on a seven-day cruise, depending on type of cabin booked. This discount can be combined with the line's Have It All premium package, which rolls shore excursions, beverage packages, Wi-Fi and specialty dining costs in with cruise fares.
Norwegian Cruise Line
As part of Norwegian's earliest and longest-running Black Friday sale ever, the line is allowing passengers to take 50% off all cruise fares on all ships — including new Norwegian Viva — when they book a sailing by early December. This deal can also be combined with the line's Free at Sea offerings, which include perks like complimentary shore excursions, Wi-Fi and drinks.
Seabourn
As part of its "Black Friday Sail," luxury line Seabourn is discounting select cruises through summer 2024 across its entire fleet, including brand-new expedition vessels Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. When you book a cruise to the Arctic, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and other destinations by Nov. 27, you'll receive a two-category cabin upgrade (based on availability), up to $2,000 per cabin in onboard credit (based on cabin category booked) and a 50% reduced deposit.
Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:
- Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
- Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
- What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
- What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
- What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
- What is the Jones Act, and how does it affect cruise ships?
- What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
- What's a cruise cabin guarantee, and will it save you money?
- What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month