As we gear up for Thanksgiving (aka “Turkey Day”) next week, it’s a good time to check out the super-duper “Black Friday” promotions. Simply put, the Friday after Thanksgiving reigns as the year’s biggest vacation sales event! Below, we showcase five of the best Black Friday travel deals.
Bottom line? Starting in the 1980s, retailers began to learn that providing sizable discounts and deals on a day when most Americans have a day off to shop in stores or online is a recipe for sales success. So, they began to give great discounts, deals and perks. In return, they were rewarded with soaring sales.
Over the decades, it’s proven to be a highly successful sales strategy. So, 2024 Black Friday deals often extend far beyond just that one day. This year, many are already out in the marketplace.
Others might extend a few days beyond Black Friday, such as to next week’s Cyber Monday. Some even continue for a week or more beyond.
(Atop this page, Vatican City and Rome await guests from Seabourn, which has just unveiled its “Black Friday Sail” promotion. Photo by Seabourn.)
Five Top Black Friday Offers
So, let’s get to the meat of the topic. Are you seeking a great travel deal for your next vacation? Do you have a favorite cruise line or tour company in mind? Or do you prefer to try something different than in the past?
Whatever the case, it’s fun to look at the offers and envision your perfect vacation.
Important Note: Most of the offers below provide “general” information about travel discounts or deals. They typically apply to multiple departure dates and itineraries.
Bottom line? You won’t find our usual listing of “starting prices” below. Specific details must be gleaned about your method of travel, travel time frame, accommodations choices and other details before “talking price.”
But absolutely, your personal travel advisor can shed more light in discussing these promotions, and offer specific pricing, based on your interests and input.
So, here goes…
1. Best Black Friday Deal: Oceania Cruises
Announcing its best Black Friday sale ever, Oceania Cruises will offer a four-category stateroom upgrade and extra amenities on more than 90 sailings in 2025 and 2026.
Guests booking during this Black Friday offer period can also choose one of the following: unlimited wine, beer and spirits; a shipboard credit up to $1,000 and free or reduced airfare.
Here’s a link to the official Oceania page with more about the Black Friday deals. You’ll also find a list of voyages covered under this sales promotion.
But talk with a skilled professional travel advisor who can handle the nitty-gritty booking details. The advisor will also ensure that you receive all that you’re entitled to! Plus, you’ll have great customer service.
2. Best Black Friday Sale: Seabourn
Seabourn also recently kicked off the holiday and gift season with its annual “Black Friday Sail.” Available now until December 3, 2024, the promotion offers several incredible value-added benefits. This offer is applicable for bookings on select 2025 and 2026 ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages.
They include a two-category veranda suite upgrade — delivering a higher-category Veranda Suite, which means you can stay in a prime location!
Plus, Seabourn is offering a 15 percent reduced deposit in certain select markets. That means a lower upfront cost to book the voyage.
Guests who take advantage of the “Black Friday Sail” may choose from nearly 370 itineraries on board any of Seabourn’s ultra-luxury ships to hundreds of worldwide destinations.
For instance, these offers apply to a seven-day “Riviera Gems & The Calanques” voyage, departing April 8, 2025. Or guests might choose a seven-day “Scotland & Iceland’s South Coast” voyage on June 28, 2025.
Plus, there are hundreds of other options from Antarctica to North America’s Atlantic Coast and Alaska. Here’s the official Seabourn press release with a bit more detail.
Contact Pavlus Travel with any questions, to discuss options and for booking.
Also, for more Seabourn news, check out our recent blog about new enrichment options/speakers on three Seabourn voyages in spring 2025.
3. Globus Best Black Friday Deal
Right now, as the Black Friday period unfolds, veteran tour operator Globus has rolled out several too-good-to-miss travel deals. Globus says that its “From Here to Anywhere” sales event can save a couple up to $1,000 ($500 per person) on select Globus Tours worldwide.
Under the terms of this deal, the tour must be booked now through December 13, 2024. And it’s applicable for travel January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
The offer applies for a wide range of “select tours” so see this Globus website page for more details. Click on “View Details” for the full list of tours to which this offer can apply.
Also, as part of “From Here to Anywhere,” Globus is offering $995 roundtrip economy airfare to Europe from select U.S. gateways on certain 2025 Globus Europe tours. Other gateways are also doable for $200-$400 more per person.
To get these offers, booking is required between now and December 13, 2024. The deal applies for travel between March 1, 2025, and May 31, 2025.
4. Windstar Cruises’ Pick Your Perk
Windstar Cruises, which operates a fleet of luxurious small vessels, has brought back its popular “Pick Your Perk” offer. It’s now available throughout what it calls “the festive season” (including Black Friday/Cyber Monday) plus January through March 2025.
So, guests who book now through March 31, 2025, for sailings through June of 2026, can pick their favorite perk. Those “Pick Your Perk” options include: one free hotel night (which can be used pre- or post-cruise) OR up to $1,000 onboard credit, which can be used for Windstar’s shore excursions and adventures, spa services, or even special celebratory cocktails.
Premium suite guests are afforded a third option – an upgrade to the All-Inclusive Fare (valued at $99 per day) which includes unlimited alcohol, Wi-Fi, and all gratuities.
Also, guests booking early (and notably within the Black Friday/Cyber Monday window) between November 18 and December 2, 2024, can also take advantage of reduced deposits of just $300 per guest.
For more details, check out the Windstar announcement, and then contact your personal travel planner.
5. Atlas Ocean Voyages: Black Friday
Small-ship expeditionary Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering an exclusive Black Friday Event on select Antarctica expeditions. So, what’s the scoop?
Well, for starters, guests can enhance the value with bonus savings of up to 20 percent.
Plus, those who book before the deadline of December 7, 2024, also will receive up to $400 onboard credit for stateroom bookings. That rises to up to $600 onboard credit for those staying in suites.
For instance, on an Antarctica sailing, guests can use that credit for such experiences as a guided kayaking excursion or for a credit at the boutique and SeaSpa by L’Occitane.
These and other offers are explained a bit more on this official Atlas Ocean Voyages page. The best way to learn all the details, though, is by contacting a skilled travel advisor.
Be sure to check out the offers today. Follow the contact resources below to get what you deserve in the way of vacation savings or added benefits.
And stay tuned for five more Black Friday sales events in our blog later this week!
Important Information from Pavlus Travel
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