Black Friday Cruise Deals: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Costco Travel
Black Friday cruise deals in the US are usually worth booking if you already know your ship, dates and cabin type, because sale offers cut the fare or add perks. How to judge them, plus solo, military, Costco Travel, Royal Caribbean and Carnival deals, and going through ShopBack before you book.
Usually yes: in the US, Black Friday cruise deals are worth booking if you already know your ship, dates and cabin type, so pick your sailing, then book through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday on November 30. Past sales have looked like Celebrity's "up to 75% off 2nd guest" offers with drinks and Wi-Fi, shown on CruiseDirect, and Royal Caribbean runs its own Black Friday and Cyber Monday page. Before you book, go through ShopBack.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores and booking sites as cash you can withdraw. You open the site from ShopBack, book as normal, and after your trip the cash comes back to your account. Booking through ShopBack lowers the cost of the trip, and you still book on the site you chose. Join ShopBack US for free, then open the CruiseDirect page on ShopBack before your next booking.
Are Black Friday cruise deals actually worth booking?
A Black Friday cruise deal is worth booking when the total for your cabin, with taxes and fees, is lower than the normal price for the same sailing, or when the included perks are things you would have bought anyway. That sounds obvious, but cruise offers are built in ways that make headline numbers look bigger than the saving.
How to read the most common offer types:
- "Up to X% off the second guest." The discount applies to one of two fares, so the saving on the whole cabin is roughly half the headline percentage, and "up to" means not every cabin gets the top rate. Solo travelers usually do not benefit.
- "3rd and 4th guests sail free" or "kids sail free." Celebrity lists 3rd and 4th guests sailing free on select sailings, and Royal Caribbean lists kids sail free promotions. These help families sharing one cabin, but the guests still pay taxes and fees.
- Bundled perks. Drinks, Wi-Fi or onboard credit can be worth a lot if you would buy them anyway, and worth little if you would not.
- Lower deposits. Useful for cash flow, but they do not change the fare.
A quick test. Price your exact sailing and cabin a few weeks before Black Friday and write down the total for two people. When the sale opens, price it again. If the new total (or the value of perks you actually want) beats your note, book.
Will prices drop after you book? Royal Caribbean says prices usually go up as availability goes down, so waiting has a cost. CruiseDirect says that if the fare drops before final payment, it will work to readjust your rate. Ask your booking site how it handles price drops before you pay the deposit.
Black Friday cruise deals 2026: dates and what to expect
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Cruise sales often start earlier and run longer than the weekend, so read the end date on each offer.
What usually shows up in the Black Friday cruise sales:
- Cruise lines' own sales. Royal Caribbean's site has a Black Friday and Cyber Monday section, and Celebrity runs a Black Friday offer page in the season (its page from the last sale was marked as ended at the time of writing).
- Booking site promotions. CruiseDirect and Cruises.com feature the cruise lines' sale fares and add their own perks on some sailings.
- Cabin type and sailing limits. Most offers apply to "select sailings" or "select staterooms", so the deal you see in an ad may not cover your dates.
Black Friday cruise deals best deals US 2026: where the value usually is. The strongest deals tend to land on sailings with plenty of unsold cabins, so flexible dates and shoulder season sailings give you more choice. Royal Caribbean says that traveling outside peak holiday, spring break and summer dates is likely to bring bigger savings, including on balconies and suites.
Before Black Friday checkout, go through ShopBack. Check the rate shown on each store's ShopBack page on the day.
For flights and hotels in the same sales, see our guide to Black Friday and Travel Tuesday travel deals.
CruiseDirect vs Cruises.com for Black Friday cruise deals: price comparison
CruiseDirect and Cruises.com both sell sailings from the big cruise lines, so the fair way to compare them is to price the same ship, date and cabin on both on the same day. Each has its own strengths.
| CruiseDirect | Cruises.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise lines sold | Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and more | Dozens of cruise lines in one place |
| Booking fees | No booking fees, according to CruiseDirect | Check at booking |
| Price promise | Price guarantee: a lower public fare found within 24 hours of booking can be matched, with restrictions | Says it offers guaranteed best prices |
| Special rates | Deals by theme, such as last minute, senior and holiday cruises | Resident rates by state, rates for guests 55 and over, past guest offers |
| Loyalty | Check the site | Cruises.com Rewards, free to join, points usable for onboard spending |
| Solo travelers | Check cabin options per sailing | A dedicated solo cruising page listing lines with single cabins |
Sources: CruiseDirect's home and guarantee pages and Cruises.com's home and solo cruising pages, at the time of writing.
Good to know about CruiseDirect's price guarantee. CruiseDirect says you must call within 24 hours of booking, the lower fare must be public on a US website, and it covers the cruise fare including port charges but not taxes and fees. It also says a price match may make you ineligible for a promotion you booked with.
Where Celebrity Cruises fits. You can also book Celebrity directly. Celebrity's own deals page lists up to 75% off the second guest's fare, 3rd and 4th guests sailing free on select sailings, resident rates, senior rates for guests 55 and older, and Military Savings, and it is on ShopBack US as Celebrity Cruises.
Other cruise lines you will see in the Black Friday sales include Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, MSC and Virgin Voyages.
Where can solo travelers find cruise deals without paying a big single supplement?
Solo travelers pay least by booking a cabin designed for one person, because a regular stateroom is priced for two. According to Cruises.com, cruise prices are listed per person based on double occupancy, and a solo guest in a traditional stateroom pays a single supplement that varies by line and can sometimes equal the price for two guests. Single cabins are priced for one, so you simply pay the listed price for one.
Cruise lines with single cabins, according to Cruises.com's solo cruising page:
- Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruises.com says Norwegian was the first to offer single staterooms and has solo cabins across many ships, including single oceanview and solo balcony rooms, with a lounge just for studio guests.
- Royal Caribbean. Offers inside and balcony rooms for singles.
- Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity says its single staterooms have the same amenities as a double. The Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda (184 sq. ft. plus a 42 sq. ft. veranda) is on Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent, and Celebrity Silhouette has four inside single staterooms of 103 sq. ft.
- Virgin Voyages, Holland America, Costa and Cunard. Each has single interior or ocean view rooms, per Cruises.com.
- AmaWaterways. Single rooms on four river ships, and single supplements as low as 20% on select Europe and Asia sailings, per Cruises.com.
Solo cruise deals 2026: how to book one.
- Search for single, studio or solo cabins on your preferred line, then check the same sailing on Cruises.com's solo page.
- Book early. Cruises.com notes that single rooms can sell quickly.
- Treat "second guest" sale offers with care, because they rarely help a solo traveler. A sale that cuts the base fare is more useful.
- Before you book, open Cruises.com or Celebrity Cruises from ShopBack and finish.
What cruise discounts are available for military members and veterans?
Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Celebrity Cruises all list military savings, and the rules on who qualifies differ by line.
| Cruise line | Who qualifies, per the line | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Active and retired US Military and Canadian National Defense members | Reduced rates; send eligibility documents within 72 hours of booking (24 hours if sailing within a week) |
| Celebrity Cruises | Active duty and retired military members | Savings on select staterooms and suites, applied at booking |
| Royal Caribbean | US and Canadian Forces | Military discount listed on its cruise deals page, alongside police, fire and EMT savings |
Sources: Carnival's help center, Celebrity's cruise deals page and Royal Caribbean's cruise deals page, at the time of writing.
Carnival's paperwork. Carnival's help center lists the documents it accepts for US Military: a Leave and Earning Statement with the Social Security number blacked out, retirement papers (DD214 or DD256), proof of honorable discharge (DD214), or for cadets a letter from a commander or a military pay stub. It says a Veteran's Administration card is not accepted. If documents are not sent in time, Carnival says it will rescind the military discount.
Onboard at Carnival. At the time of writing, Carnival says it holds a Military Appreciation Day on every cruise, with a special gathering and a Veterans Meet and Greet. Onboard events can change, so check with Carnival before you sail.
Military cruise deals 2026: how to compare them. Price the military rate on the line's own site, then compare the regular fare for the same cabin on CruiseDirect and Cruises.com. Military rates usually apply to select cabins, so a booking site sale may sometimes come out lower. Pick the lowest total, then go through ShopBack before you book if the site is on ShopBack US.
Are Costco Travel cruise deals actually cheaper than booking elsewhere?
Costco Travel cruise deals are not always cheaper on the fare, but they often add value you should count before you compare. According to Costco Travel, members get a Digital Costco Shop Card with every sailing, and some Kirkland Signature and Buyer's Choice sailings come with exclusive events and amenities. Executive Members can get shipboard credit, resort credit or other extras on travel.
How to compare fairly:
- Price the same ship, date and cabin category on Costco Travel, the cruise line and one booking site such as CruiseDirect.
- Count the Digital Costco Shop Card only if you will spend it at Costco anyway. It is Costco store credit, not cash.
- Count any shipboard credit at the value you would actually use onboard.
- Compare totals including taxes and fees.
Costco membership rewards and benefits: is it worth it for a cruise? You need a Costco membership to book through Costco Travel. If you already shop at Costco, the Shop Card can make a booking there good value. If you would join only for one cruise, compare the membership cost with the saving first.
How do I find the best deals on Royal Caribbean cruises?
Start with Royal Caribbean's own deals and rates, then compare the same sailing on a booking site you can reach through ShopBack. Royal Caribbean says the first step to the best deals is joining its email list, which brings deals by destination, kids sail free promotions and flash sales.
What Royal Caribbean lists on its cruise deals page:
- Resident rates when you enter a qualifying state at booking.
- Savings for guests 55 and older.
- A military discount for US and Canadian Forces, and a discount for US and Canadian police, fire and EMT crews.
- Early saver deals for guests who book well in advance. Royal Caribbean says prices usually rise as availability falls, though last minute bookings can also bring savings if your sailing has not sold out.
- Pre-cruise offers. After you book, Royal Caribbean says you may get offers on drink and dining packages, shore excursions and spa services through My Royal Cruise.
Royal Caribbean cruise deals 2026: comparing prices. Royal Caribbean is not on ShopBack US right now, but CruiseDirect and Cruises.com both sell its sailings. Price the same ship, date and cabin on Royal Caribbean's site and on both booking sites, then book the lowest total. If that is a booking site, open CruiseDirect or Cruises.com from ShopBack first.
For a deeper look at one ship, see our guide to the cost of an Icon of the Seas cruise.
How do I find the best deals on Carnival cruises?
For Carnival, check whether you qualify for a special rate first, then compare the same sailing across booking sites. Carnival's cruise search lets you show military, senior and past guest pricing, and its help center has a page on its Early Saver promotion, so read those rules before you book.
Steps that usually find the lowest Carnival price:
- Check special rates. Military rates for active and retired US Military and Canadian National Defense members, plus senior and past guest rates where you qualify.
- Look at Carnival Rewards. Carnival's loyalty program is worth joining if you sail with it often.
- Compare across sites. CruiseDirect and Cruises.com both sell Carnival sailings. Price the same ship, date and cabin.
- Time it. Black Friday week and early booking windows are when lines and booking sites usually push their deals.
Carnival cruise deals 2026: where ShopBack fits. Carnival is not on ShopBack US right now, so ShopBack cannot lower the price of a booking made on Carnival's own site. If CruiseDirect or Cruises.com has the same or a lower total, booking there through ShopBack lowers your effective price.
How ShopBack lowers the price of a cruise
Before you check out, go through ShopBack to get a post-purchase discount on the order. For a cruise, that means opening ShopBack, tapping the booking site, and finishing the booking.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
Step by step:
- Open ShopBack US (app or website) and search for CruiseDirect, Cruises.com or Celebrity Cruises.
- Check the rate shown on that page.
- Tap through, find your sailing and book it.
The effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns. The real rate for each site is on its ShopBack page and can change, so check it on the day you book.
Promo codes, price matches, card rewards and ShopBack together
Sale fares built into the price are not codes, and no code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
- Credit card rewards. Your card issuer pays its rewards on the amount charged, and ShopBack is separate, so the two usually both apply. Check your card's travel terms.
Key takeaways
- Black Friday 2026 is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30; cruise sales often run longer.
- "Second guest" offers cut about half the headline percentage off the cabin total and rarely help solo travelers.
- Solo travelers save most with single or studio cabins, offered by lines such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
- Carnival, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean all list military savings; Carnival needs documents within 72 hours of booking.
- Costco Travel adds a Digital Costco Shop Card with every sailing; count it only if you shop at Costco.
- Royal Caribbean and Carnival are not on ShopBack US, but CruiseDirect and Cruises.com sell both.
- Compare the price after ShopBack, not the sticker price. Before you book, go through ShopBack.
Frequently asked questions
Are Black Friday cruise deals actually worth booking?
Usually yes, if you already know the ship, dates and cabin type you want. Black Friday cruise offers in the US tend to cut the second guest's fare, let kids or extra guests sail free on select sailings, or bundle perks such as drinks and Wi-Fi. Compare the total for two people, including taxes and fees, against the normal price for the same cabin, then go through ShopBack before you book.
When is Black Friday 2026 for cruise deals?
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Cruise lines and booking sites often run their sales across the whole week or longer, so check the end date on each offer.
Is CruiseDirect or Cruises.com better for Black Friday cruise deals?
They suit different shoppers. CruiseDirect says it charges no booking fees and backs its fares with a price guarantee, and it shows prices with taxes and fees included. Cruises.com offers resident, senior and past guest rates, a free Cruises.com Rewards program and a page of solo cabin options. Price the same sailing and cabin on both on the same day.
Where can solo travelers find cruise deals without paying a big single supplement?
Look for cabins built for one person. According to Cruises.com, solo travelers in a regular stateroom pay a single supplement that can come close to the price for two guests, while studio and single cabins on lines such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and Virgin Voyages are priced for one. Book early, because single cabins can sell quickly.
What cruise discounts are available for military members and veterans?
Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Celebrity all list military savings. Carnival's military rates apply to active and retired US Military and Canadian National Defense members, with proof such as a DD214 sent within 72 hours of booking. Celebrity offers savings to active and retired military on select staterooms and suites, and Royal Caribbean lists a military discount for US and Canadian Forces.
Can veterans use a VA card for Carnival's military rate?
No. Carnival's help center says a Veteran's Administration card is not an acceptable document. It accepts items such as a military Leave and Earning Statement with the Social Security number blacked out, retirement papers (DD214 or DD256) or proof of honorable discharge (DD214).
Are Costco Travel cruise deals actually cheaper than booking elsewhere?
Not always on the fare itself, but Costco Travel adds value you should count. According to Costco Travel, members get a Digital Costco Shop Card with every sailing, and Executive Members can get shipboard credit or other extras. Compare the same cabin and date elsewhere, subtract the Shop Card only if you shop at Costco anyway, and you have a fair comparison.
How do I find the best deals on Royal Caribbean cruises?
Royal Caribbean says the first step is joining its email list for sales, kids sail free promotions and flash sales. It also lists resident rates, savings for guests 55 and over, and military and police, fire and EMT discounts. Booking early often helps, since prices usually rise as cabins sell. Royal Caribbean is not on ShopBack US, so book its sailings through CruiseDirect or Cruises.com from ShopBack.
How do I find the best deals on Carnival cruises?
Check Carnival's special rates first: military, senior and past guest rates show up in its cruise search, and its help center explains its Early Saver promotion. Then compare the same sailing on CruiseDirect and Cruises.com, which both sell Carnival. Carnival is not on ShopBack US, so going through ShopBack to one of those sites is how ShopBack can lower the price.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a cruise?
ShopBack US returns part of what you spend as cash after your trip, so it works like a discount on the booking, not points or miles. Before you book, open ShopBack, tap CruiseDirect, Cruises.com or Celebrity Cruises, and finish the booking. Your effective price is what you pay minus what ShopBack returns.
Can I use a promo code and ShopBack on the same cruise booking?
Sale fares and cruise line promotions that are built into the price are not codes. No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay.
Related reads
About this guide
Offer types, special rates and cabin details come from CruiseDirect's home and price guarantee pages, Cruises.com's home and solo cruising pages, Royal Caribbean's cruise deals page, Celebrity Cruises' cruise deals and single stateroom pages, Carnival's military pages and help center, and Costco Travel's cruise page, at the time of writing in October 2026. Fares and offers change daily, so this guide explains how to judge a deal instead of quoting prices, and points to the live rate on each site's ShopBack page.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Cruise fares, sale offers, special rates, eligibility rules and cabin availability vary by cruise line, booking site and sailing and change often. ShopBack rates vary by store and over time; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack US page before you book. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
Related guides
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For US travelers, the cheapest time to sail is usually late September through mid-November and the weeks before Christmas, according to Royal Caribbean's own guide, while January to March (Wave Season) is the best time to book perks for later sailings. Compare Celebrity Cruises, CruiseDirect and Expedia, then book through ShopBack US.
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The best last-minute cruise deals in the US usually sit on the cruise line's own weekly offer pages and on booking sites like CruiseDirect and Expedia. Compare the same ship, date and cabin, then book through ShopBack US so the price you pay drops.
Can I Get Cashback on Cruises in the US in 2026?
Yes, on many cruise bookings. In the US you can get Cashback on cruises by going through ShopBack before you book with a site whose ShopBack page lists cruises, such as Priceline, Trip.com, CruiseDirect, Cruises.com or Celebrity Cruises. Booking types differ by store, so check the store's ShopBack page first.
