Black Friday cruise deals for 2024: Up to 80% off cruises

Here's some of the strongest cruise deals we've seen sail out of port so far this Black Friday:

• Uniworld: Up to $2,000 savings on select all-inclusive luxury river cruises.
• Celebrity Cruises: Up to 75% off 2nd passengers, up to $800 in onboard credit and $800 off each stateroom
• Flight Centre: Up to 50% off cruises on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian, Viking and Hurtigruten cruises
• Princess Cruises: Free upgrade on 2023 and 2024 sailings across Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Japan. There is also up to 30% off fares, plus up to UD$300 in onboard credit
• Carnival Cruises: Follow the Fun sale has $50 deposits and free upgrades within room category
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Second guests free to Europe, Alaska and The Caribbean, free unlimited open bar, free specialty dining, free shore excursion credit and free WiFi - plus US$200 in onboard credit.
• Holland America Line: Up to US$400 in onboard credits on sailings until 2024
• Royal Caribbean: Up to $600 off sailings, 30% off all guests, up to half-off kids prices and half-off deposits

With various ship types, sailing lengths, ports of call and rooms, comparing the deals year-on-year or against other cruise lines is like comparing apples to pears.

Each deal reads differently to each traveller and their needs and wants from their trip.

To give you an idea of what sorts of deals are worth it this year - and what might not be quite good enough - these were the highlights of 2022:

• Flight Centre: Australia sailings from $349, 40% off river cruises and cruise packages with flights from $1,290
• G Adventures: Up to 30% off marine tours
• Uniworld: Up to $4,500 off river cruises, plus an extra 10% off European sailings
• Royal Caribbean: Up to $250 off sailings, up to US$400 in onboard credit and up to 60% on the second guest in a cabin
• Princess Cruises: Up to $200 onboard credit plus 50% off deposits

Australias ports reopened in April 2022 and cruises have begun sailing to, from and around Australia again.

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, from 21 November P&O Australia, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line have reintroduced mask mandates on Aussie sailings. Masks must be worn in all public indoor spaces. They are not required while eating, drinking or in the privacy of your state room.

Guests must also be fully vaccinated, unless they have a medical exemption. As a rule, at least 95% of guests must be vaccinated.

Before boarding, all passengers 2 years or older must show a negative RAT test within 24-hours of boarding, or a PCR within 48-hours of boarding.

• Don't cruise solo. We hate to break it to you, but the cheapest cruises are twin or quadruple shares. Coordinate with your cruising crew before the sales arrive to let you book those larger cabins that are a cheaper per person price.
• Forgo the window. Interior cabins are often the featured price in a sale. If you're not fussed about the view, it's a great way to keep costs down.
• Consider the deal. Certain cruise deals offer you freebies and while this might sound like a bargain, sometimes it's as trivial as a free ice cream per day. Instead, look out for crazy discounts on your sailing itself or free flights and transfer to the port.
• Book with a cruise line that suits your travel needs. Cruises are wide and varied. Some have water slides and zip-lines ideal for families and youthful voyagers, while others are more luxurious and include formal and themed nights for a more mature taste. If in doubt, consult our list of best cruises for your needs before you book.
• Book early. This goes without saying. The early bird does catch the worm – or in this case, the Black Friday deal.
• Consider the deposit and cancellation policy. It's all too easy to get lost in the frenzy and book without considering prior commitments and other travel buddies. Before you press "go", suss out the cancellation policy in case your plans change.

Check out more Black Friday deals here