Black Friday Travel Deals Are Already Here: Should You Book Now or Wait?

It's October.

Halloween hasn't even happened yet.

Thanksgiving is more than a month away.

And somehow…

Black Friday travel sales are already in my inbox. 😂

Not one.

Not two.

Multiple travel suppliers are already sending me Black Friday and early-access promotions.

So if you're thinking:

“Eric, isn't Black Friday November 27?”

Yes.

It is.

But apparently the travel industry didn't get the memo that we're supposed to wait until then. 😂

And that brings up a really good question:

Are Black Friday travel deals actually worth paying attention to?

The answer is yes.

But there's a little more to it than seeing “65% OFF!” or “70% OFF!” and immediately pulling out your credit card.

Let's talk about it.

First: What Is Black Friday for Travel?

Most people associate Black Friday with TVs, electronics, clothes and Christmas shopping.

But travel companies participate too.

Cruise lines, resorts, tour operators, hotels and other travel suppliers can offer special promotions around Black Friday, Cyber Monday and what has become known as Travel Tuesday.

For 2026:

Black Friday — November 27

Cyber Monday — November 30

Travel Tuesday — December 1

Travel Tuesday is exactly what it sounds like: the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, when travel companies promote deals on vacations, hotels, cruises and other travel products. Expedia, for example, identifies December 1 as Travel Tuesday for 2026. expedia

But here's what's interesting.

You don't necessarily have to wait until November 27 anymore.

Black Friday Is Already Here

I'm writing this on October 16, 2026, and I've already received Black Friday promotions from several travel suppliers.

One tour operator opened its Black Friday sale on October 13 and is advertising savings of up to 70% on selected trips. One featured Japan itinerary, for example, included flights, seven hotel nights, guided experiences and high-speed train transportation. Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -… Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -…

Another supplier actually started advertising an early Black Friday resort promotion back in September. Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -…

And just yesterday, Margaritaville at Sea sent out a Black Friday Early Access promotion.

Their current offer advertises 65% off cruise fares, with additional promotions that can apply to third and fourth guests on select sailings. The booking window runs October 14 through November 3, subject to availability and the offer's terms. Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -…

Notice what I'm NOT doing here.

I'm not giving you every booking code, every sailing, every date and every detail necessary to go hunt these down yourself. 😂

That's what I'm here for.

Tell me where you want to go, and let me do the homework.

But Does 65% Off Really Mean You're Saving 65%?

This is where I want travelers to slow down.

A big percentage looks GREAT in an advertisement.

70% OFF!

65% OFF!

SECOND GUEST FREE!

But you have to understand what the promotion actually applies to.

For example, Margaritaville's current promotion states that its 65% discount applies to cruise fares, but taxes, fees, port expenses and onboard charges aren't included in that discount. Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -…

Their reduced-deposit promotion is another great example.

A $50-per-person deposit can make it easier to secure a vacation now, but that doesn't mean the vacation costs $50 less. The remaining balance is still due according to the final-payment schedule. Poet's Year-Round Travel Mail -…

That's why I always say:

Read past the headline.

A promotion can still be a great deal.

Just understand exactly what you're getting.

And Sometimes the Best Deal Isn't the Biggest Percentage

This connects perfectly with something I've talked about before.

The cheapest price isn't always the cheapest vacation.

And the biggest advertised discount isn't automatically the best value either.

Maybe one promotion gives you a lower cruise fare.

Another might give you onboard credit.

Another might reduce your deposit.

Another might offer a cabin upgrade.

Another could include something you were already planning to buy.

For example, Royal Caribbean explains on its own Black Friday page that its promotions can take different forms, including instant savings and onboard credit that can be used toward things such as excursions, beverage packages, dining, Wi-Fi or spa treatments. Royal Caribbean

So don't just ask:

“What's the percentage off?”

Ask:

“What's my total vacation going to cost, and what am I getting for that money?”

That's the better question.

Here's Something Else People Don't Realize: Existing Reservations

This is another reason having a travel advisor can matter.

You've already booked your cruise.

Then Black Friday comes around.

Now what?

Don't automatically cancel your reservation and rebook it yourself.

Promotional rules vary.

A new promotion may apply only to new bookings. Your original fare may have benefits that the new promotion doesn't. Changing a reservation can potentially affect pricing, deposits, onboard credit or other components of the booking depending on the supplier and fare rules.

This is where I want my clients to call or text me and say:

“Eric, I saw this sale. Does it help me?”

Then let me look.

Maybe it does.

Maybe it doesn't.

Maybe the new promotion saves you money.

Maybe your existing reservation is actually better.

That's the point of comparing it.

Don't Forget About the Extras

Black Friday travel shopping isn't necessarily limited to booking the actual vacation.

If you already have a cruise booked, this is also a good time to pay attention to pre-cruise purchases.

Royal Caribbean specifically promotes Black Friday savings on things such as drink packages, dining and shore excursions through its cruise-planning system. Royal Caribbean

Depending on the cruise line or supplier, you may see promotions involving:

Drink packages.

Wi-Fi.

Excursions.

Dining.

Spa services.

Hotels.

Resort packages.

Tours.

And other vacation add-ons.

That means Black Friday can matter even if your vacation has already been booked for months.

What About Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday is December 1, 2026, the Tuesday immediately after Cyber Monday.

Think of it as another day for the travel industry to get in on the holiday shopping season.

Hotels, vacation packages and other travel products can have their own Travel Tuesday promotions. expedia

But I don't want anybody sitting around saying:

“I'm not booking anything until Travel Tuesday because that's guaranteed to be the cheapest day of the year.”

There is no universal rule saying that.

And the emails sitting in my inbox right now are proof that suppliers don't all follow the same promotional calendar.

Some are already calling their sales Black Friday in October.

So if the right vacation at the right price comes along before November 27 or December 1, waiting simply because of the name of a shopping day may not make sense.

Then Comes Wave Season

And after all of this?

Cruising has another major booking period coming.

Wave Season.

Wave Season is the industry's traditional heavy-booking period around the beginning of the year. Cruise Lines International Association regularly describes the New Year period as Wave Season, when cruise lines roll out promotions and booking activity accelerates. Cruise Lines International Association

So think about the calendar we're heading into:

Black Friday → Cyber Monday → Travel Tuesday → holiday season → Wave Season.

In other words…

Travel companies are about to spend the next several months fighting for your vacation dollars. 😂

And that can create opportunities for travelers.

So Should You Wait for Black Friday?

Here's my answer:

Not necessarily.

If you know what you want, there's nothing wrong with starting the conversation now.

In fact, some Black Friday promotions are already live.

And with cruises especially, price isn't the only consideration.

Cabin availability matters.

Connecting rooms matter.

Suites matter.

Family cabins matter.

Group space matters.

Location on the ship matters.

Sometimes waiting for a hypothetical future discount can mean losing the cabin or itinerary you actually wanted.

I'd rather look at what's available now, compare the promotion, understand the terms and make an informed decision.

And if waiting makes sense?

I'll tell you that too.

One More Thing: Be Careful With “Too Good to Be True”

Black Friday is also a time when people are actively looking for deals.

Scammers know that.

The Federal Trade Commission warns travelers about fake travel websites, unexpected emails and offers for unusually cheap or “free” vacations. The FTC recommends researching companies, checking the actual website rather than blindly clicking unexpected links, understanding cancellation and refund policies, and avoiding sellers demanding payment through wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumer Advice

That's another reason I don't want you chasing every random travel ad you see on Facebook.

A deal isn't a deal if it isn't legitimate.

Let Me Do the Shopping

Here's where I come into the picture.

You don't have to spend Black Friday opening 27 browser tabs trying to compare cruise lines, resorts, tour companies and vacation packages.

Tell me what you're looking for.

Where do you want to go?

When do you want to travel?

Who's going?

What's your budget?

Then let me see what's out there.

I can look at the promotions available through the suppliers I work with and help you compare the actual vacation, not just the giant percentage printed across the advertisement.

Because sometimes 65% off is a great deal.

Sometimes another promotion is better.

And sometimes the best decision is booking the right vacation before everybody else starts shopping.

Black Friday isn't here yet.

But in travel?

Apparently it already is. 😂

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