Royal Caribbean’s Early Black Friday Sale: What to Expect and How to Rebook Add-Ons for Maximum Savings

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale is starting early this year and it’s shaping up to be one of the best times to save on both cruises and onboard extras like drink packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and dining.

If you’ve already booked a sailing or pre-purchased add-ons, there’s even more good news: you can cancel and rebook those items yourself if the price drops.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this year’s sale. 👇

🕐 When the Royal Caribbean Black Friday Sale Starts

The countdown on Royal Caribbean’s site shows that the sale starts at midnight on Thursday night, heading into Friday, November 8th.

That means you can expect deals to go live in the early hours of Friday morning, with additional offers likely rolling out for Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday the following week.

💰 Two Different Types of Black Friday Sales

There are actually two Royal Caribbean sales happening at once and they’re on different parts of the Royal Caribbean website.

1️⃣ RoyalCaribbean.com (the main site)

Covers cruise fare discounts, instant savings, and onboard credit offers.
You’ll find percentage-off fares for select sailings and stateroom upgrades.

2️⃣ My Royal Cruise (the booking management site)

Covers onboard add-ons like:
- 🥂 Deluxe Beverage Package
- 🌐 VOOM Internet
- 🍽️ Dining Packages
- 🏖️ Shore Excursions
- 💆 Spa Treatments
This is where you’ll often see 25–40% off packages for a limited time.

📦 What “Instant Savings” and “Onboard Credit” Mean

Royal Caribbean uses different terms for their promotions, and it’s worth knowing the difference:

Instant Savings are deducted immediately from your booking total when you check out.
Onboard Credit (OBC) is money you can use on your cruise for drinks, excursions, or other purchases.

Sometimes both apply so check the fine print before booking.

💡 The Add-On Strategy Most Cruisers Miss

If you’ve already purchased add-ons before the sale — good news! You don’t have to miss out.

Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and rebook those same packages yourself if the price drops during the sale.

Here’s exactly how:
1️⃣ Go to My Royal Cruise and log in.
2️⃣ Click Order History to see everything you’ve bought for your sailing.
3️⃣ If you see a better deal, select Cancel Order.
4️⃣ Go back in and buy it again at the lower price.

That’s it. Your refund will automatically go back to your original payment method.

Refunds typically appear within a few business days, and you’ll see them as separate transactions from your new purchase.
If you used onboard credit for your original payment, the refund will return as onboard credit, not cash.

⚠️ Important: This Does Not Apply to Cruise Fares

You can’t cancel and rebook your actual cruise online for a lower fare — that has to go through Royal Caribbean directly or your travel agent.
This process only applies to add-ons purchased through My Royal Cruise.

🏷️ Tips to Maximize Your Black Friday Savings

✅ Check early and often. Prices may change several times during the sale, especially between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday.

✅ Compare before you cancel. Write down your original package prices from Order History so you’ll know instantly if you’re saving.

✅ Watch for sell-outs. Popular dining packages, excursions, and spa appointments can disappear fast once discounts hit.

✅ Stack your perks. If you’re a member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, you can combine loyalty perks with Black Friday savings for even more value.

✅ Use onboard credit smartly. If you earn extra OBC during the sale, apply it toward drink or Wi-Fi packages before prices rise again.

🧭 FAQs About the Royal Caribbean Black Friday Sale

Q: Can I use the sale to rebook my cruise at a lower fare?
A: Not online. Cruise fare changes must be handled by Royal Caribbean or your travel agent.

Q: How long do Black Friday deals last?
A: Most run through Cyber Week, but prices may shift daily — so grab your deal early.

Q: How long does the refund take after canceling an add-on?
A: Typically 3–5 business days to your original payment method.

Q: Can I rebook excursions and dining packages the same way?
A: Yes, excursions, dining, internet, and beverage packages all follow the same cancel-and-rebook process.

Q: Is the corkage fee or other onboard service included in these sales?
A: No, onboard service fees, gratuities, and corkage fees remain separate from sale pricing.

🗣️ Final Takeaway

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday and Cyber Week promotions are some of the best travel deals of the year, especially when you combine fare discounts with onboard package savings.

If you’ve already bought add-ons, don’t worry. Just cancel and rebook when the prices drop. Your refund will come back automatically, and you’ll lock in the lower rate.

It’s the simplest way to save hundreds on your next sailing without changing your plans.

Ready to make your cruise even smoother?
Grab my Embarkation Day Checklist. It’s a detailed planner that keeps you organized from boarding to sail away. (Small fee applies.)

Charity Bradley