NCL’s Black Friday sale is here

At TPG, we're all about figuring out how to get the most out of our travel experiences while spending less money. For nearly 20 years, I've refined the art of hunting for cruise deals. That's why I was intrigued to learn about Norwegian Cruise Line's new More At Sea cruising package, which adds valuable perks to your cruise. It also doesn't hurt that the More At Sea cruising package is stackable with NCL's Black Friday deal. Score!

The cruise line says it reimagined its freebies package to give travelers a pathway to get more value for their cruise dollars. As I parse the itinerary options, looking for a 2025 cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe for my family, let me explain this deal-stacking opportunity.

What you get with NCL's More At Sea cruising package

Let's start with the More At Sea cruising package inclusions and benefits. It includes:

• Unlimited open bar with premium wines, spirits (even brands such as Grey Goose, Casamigos and Woodford Reserve), cocktails, draft beers, juices and sodas
• Dinner at any of the ship's specialty restaurants and — bonus! — up to three appetizers and three desserts so you can sample as many of the kitchen's specialties as possible*
• High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi (75 minutes on three- to six-night itineraries and 150 minutes on sailings of seven or more nights for everyone in the stateroom)
• $50 shore excursion credit per reservation at every port for every tour
• Third and fourth guests in the same cabin pay taxes only (or $99 each for select sailings)
• Buy your plane ticket through NCL and the second passenger flies free (from select gateways on sailings of seven or more nights)

*Note: The number of nights you can dine for free at a specialty restaurant depends on the length of your cruise and the cabin category you select.

The More At Sea cruising package is available for any reservation created on or after Oct. 1, 2024, for a sailing of three or more days occurring Jan. 1, 2025, and beyond. This is an ongoing promotion and is not tied to the line's Black Friday deals.

Black Friday savings from Norwegian Cruise Line

Next, let's delve into NCL's Black Friday sale, which ends Dec. 1. The deal offers 50% off all cruises* (for every passenger in the cabin) on cruises that are three days or longer. Travelers who purchase the More At Sea cruising package also receive its valuable perks, which now features more unlimited beverage choices, more specialty dining meals and more value. (*View for terms and conditions.)

Norwegian Cruise Line has a wide array of itineraries available, including some especially enticing options in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe. Here are some high-level details on those options.

Where to go: Caribbean

Peruse NCL's list of Caribbean itineraries, and you'll be surprised by the breadth of the options: There are 14 ships with more than 50 itineraries from nine departure ports and more than 20 must-visit ports of call. And, with U.S. embarkation cities such as Galveston, Texas; Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville, Florida; New Orleans; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, it's a cinch to get to your ship. (Caribbean sailings also depart from Panama City and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.)

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Options include:

• Eastern Caribbean: More time in port since calls are closer to the embarkation point
• Southern Caribbean: Offers island experiences with French, British and Dutch cultural influences
• Western Caribbean: Close to the Mesoamerican Reef, with plenty of snorkeling and diving opportunities
• Panama Canal: The best way to see the Panama Canal locks up close

The nice thing about NCL is that it offers shorter Caribbean sailings for those who are tight on time. For example, you can book a five-night sailing on Norwegian Aqua to visit Harvest Caye in Belize and Cozumel, Mexico, from Miami. Or, sail Norwegian Breakaway out of Miami and spend five nights visiting Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Great Stirrup Cay, one of NCL's private islands in the Bahamas.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also gone out of its way to ensure its most popular sailings are available with departures around key holidays and school breaks, making them incredibly family-friendly.

Additionally, Norwegian's custom-built ships were designed with families in mind so you and yours can enjoy an outdoor on-deck racetrack, Aqua Park, plus mini-golf, ropes courses and more. The line's new Norwegian Aqua will sail the Caribbean starting in 2025; it will have the coveted Aqua Slidecoaster, the world's first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide. With all these onboard activities, you may never leave the ship!

Many Caribbean sailings also afford passengers the special opportunity to visit private islands, such as Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas (with its gorgeous beach and fun zip line) and Harvest Caye in southern Belize (with a beach, a lagoon pool, a zip line, a lighthouse, a kids splash park and a wildlife sanctuary).

Finally, I like Norwegian ships because they offer a variety of accommodations that work for everyone. Families can choose from connecting cabins and suites.

Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line's Caribbean sailings.

Where to go: Alaska

My very first cruise, 18 years ago, embarked from an Alaskan port, and it's a place I return to over and over again. I love that Norwegian Cruise Line custom-built some ships specifically for Alaska so you can get as close to nature as possible. The thoughtful ship design, including The Waterfront, the Observation Lounge, the Spinnaker Lounge and the Thermal Suite, makes it so much easier to see and enjoy Alaska's natural scenery — without even going outdoors.

The line is also proud to say it has the youngest fleet in the 49th state. You can book one of three Breakaway Class ships — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy — all ideal for families. There are also some small-ship options — Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Sun — for travelers looking for a more intimate experience.

Alaska has been such a hot destination that Norwegian has extended its season there; it now offers seven- to 16-day port-rich cruises from April through October. You can also book 11- to 14-night cruisetours, including excursions to bucket-list sites such as Denali National Park and Preserve.

NCL also offers the largest number of Alaska sailings out of Seattle, an easy-to-access U.S. port, as well as one-way cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska. (Tip: Whenever I book a cruise with a friend who's never been on a cruise ship, I start with an Inside Passage itinerary due to the placid waters. It's a great way to introduce someone to this mode of travel.)

NCL spent years perfecting its Alaska itineraries to maximize port time and programs special "Go Local" shore excursions so you have the most authentic experiences. Additionally, passengers on ships that visit Glacier Bay have the added benefit of an onboard Alaska expert who offers lectures and answers questions; it's a wonderful perk for curious travelers and another way Norwegian Cruise Line offers more value to its customers.

Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line's Alaska itineraries.

Where to go: Europe

Looking to cruise a little farther afield? Norwegian Cruise Line offers over 90 unique itineraries embarking from 13 home ports and calling on 118-plus ports across the Greek islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Spain's Canary Islands. I adore European sailings because it's such a snap to explore iconic cities, day after day, without having to unpack once.

In keeping with NCL's quest to maximize port time, European itineraries average 10 hours in port. Many itineraries have few or no sea days so you can focus on exploring new destinations every day of your vacation. I love that some itineraries offer overnights in super-popular ports while others have the ship call on two lesser-known ports per day to make the most of your time.

You'll also find Go Local cultural shore excursion options in 70 European ports, so you can learn about a place from an insider's perspective.

There are many itineraries to choose from, but here are a few special things to consider:

• Greek islands: NCL programs its port departures after 9 p.m. so you can experience things like the incredible sunset in Santorini.
• Mediterranean: If you're short on vacation time, there are plenty of seven-day itineraries calling on a new port every day. Or, choose to stay longer and book a six- to 14-day cruise.
• Northern Europe: NCL offers round-trip sailings from Reykjavik. Discover the Blue Lagoon before experiencing Reykjavik's bustling nightlife in Iceland. Norwegian Star also offers a rare itinerary that includes both Iceland and Greenland.
• Canary Islands: Try a nine-, 10-, 11- or 12-night sailing to Portugal, Spain and Morocco on Norwegian Dawn, Sky and Star.

Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line's Europe cruises.

Book this Black Friday NCL cruise deal

Once you spend some time looking at all the options, you may realize you need to book more than one cruise during Norwegian Cruise Line's Black Friday sale. The 50% off all cruises* is valid on bookings until Dec. 1. And remember, when you purchase the line's More At Sea cruising package, you get additional perks, plus unlimited open bar and much more. (*View for full terms and conditions.)

I probably don't have to tell you this, but cruising is more popular than ever. Itineraries book up quickly. If you see a cruise or two that you want to book, it pays to jump on this deal. If you wait, you may kick yourself when you return and it's sold out or the stateroom category you need is all booked up for your preferred sail date.

NCL's Black Friday sale is an ideal opportunity to lock in savings on your cruise vacations for 2025 and beyond.