If you’ve been dreaming about sitting on a sun-drenched balcony in the Caribbean or watching Alaska’s blue glaciers glide past your window, you might want to start planning before the Thanksgiving turkey is even in the oven.
For years, the unwritten rule for cruise fans was to wait until January to find the best vacation deals. But cruise lines have completely flipped the calendar. Instead of holding out for the new year, Princess Cruises just opened up its annual “Blue Friday” holiday sale weeks ahead of schedule, running through December 7, 2026.
The real beauty of this sale is how simple it makes traveling with the people you love. Fares are slashed by up to 50%, with up to $400 in extra savings taken right off the top. Even better for grandparents or friends planning a trip together, third and fourth guests can sail for free in the same room on select voyages, paying only standard taxes and fees. If you want to bring the grandkids along or split a spacious mini-suite with close friends, that perk takes a huge bite out of the total cost.
Related: Royal Caribbean Drops Its Best Cyber Season Deals Ever on New Ships and Caribbean Escapes
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You don’t have to settle for older ships to get the discount, either. The markdown applies to the brand-new Sun Princess and Star Princess, known for their soaring glass domes, quiet ocean-view lounges, and wonderful dining.
If you’re craving tropical warmth, you can escape the winter chill on a 7-day Western Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale aboard Star Princess in late February, or head down the Pacific coast on a 7-day Mexican Riviera voyage roundtrip from Los Angeles aboard Discovery Princess in March.
For cool-weather lovers, an early-season Alaska Inside Passage sailing out of Seattle aboard Star Princess in May lets you beat the peak summer rush when ports see fewer crowds and wildlife is just waking up.
Related: This Popular Princess Cruise Perk Is Finally Coming to Older Ships
If you want to venture across the Atlantic, you can sail the Mediterranean from Rome to Athens in August aboard Sun Princess, calling on coastal Italian and Turkish harbors. For true bucket-list dreamers, the sale even reaches to the other side of the globe, including a 15-day journey from Sydney to Auckland aboard Sapphire Princess in October to experience the dramatic fjords and rolling vineyards of New Zealand.
If you’ve sailed with Princess before, keep an eye on your calendar between November 13 and November 23. That’s when past guests get an exclusive peek behind the curtain with up to $800 in instant savings and half-price deposits.
With 2027 trips booking up faster than ever, picking out your favorite mid-ship cabin right now means you get the vacation you actually want, without having to scramble for whatever is left over after the holidays.
Related: The Best New 2027 Cruises Built for Everyone From Kids to Grandparents