Some cruise lines said booking records were shattered over Black Friday, Cyber Monday or some combination of the two.
Royal Caribbean International said it broke a booking record on Black Friday, making it the single largest booking day in the company's 53-year history. The high volume from Black Friday also contributed to the cruise line making a new record for the highest-volume booking week.
This is the third time Royal Caribbean said it has broken a booking record this year. The first time was a record-breaking week in late March. In October, the brand noted a new single largest booking day when sales opened for the Icon of the Seas, which is scheduled to debut in January 2024.
Our guests went on a shopping spree this weekend, and it wasn't at the mall.– Holland America Line president Gus Antorcha
Celebrity Cruises said the line recorded its single largest booking day ever on Black Friday along with its strongest Cyber Monday in history.
Celebrity CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said demand was across the "full depth and breadth" of their itineraries across the globe.
Holland America Line also reported record-high Black Friday sales, noting that Alaska bookings led the way. Black Friday sales were close to 20% higher than in 2019, according to HAL. From Black Friday to Cyber Monday, HAL said booking volume exceeded 2019 by more than 10%.
Alaska bookings on Black Friday alone were up more than 60% compared to 2019. For Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday, Alaska sailings were up more than 25%.
"Our guests went on a shopping spree this weekend, and it wasn't at the mall," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
Carnival Cruise Line also reported a record-breaking Cyber Monday, saying booking volume was 50% above 2019.
Not only did Seabourn experience its best November performance on record, but also its best single-week booking period for expedition cruises since debuting the Seabourn Venture in July of 2022.
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This report was updated on Dec. 2 with information about Seabourn.