Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, many cruise companies celebrated record sales once again, having seen similar sales come in during the summer.
Here’s a look at the lines currently making big waves.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line sold 50% more volume on Cyber Monday 2022 than it did pre-pandemic on Cyber Monday 2019, forecasting a successful 2023 and beyond.
“The Cyber Monday sale activity showed consumer demand across the fleet, and we were particularly pleased with the booking activity for Carnival Venezia’s new year-round service from New York, and our new extended six-month program for Carnival Magic out of Norfolk, Virginia,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our successful naming ceremony for Carnival Celebration on Nov. 20 and all the media coverage it generated clearly kept Carnival top of mind as vacationers got started on their holiday shopping.”
Two-dozen Carnival ships are currently in operation, and 26 are on sale — some through 2025, as the line anticipates the arrival of the all-new Carnival Jubilee and Venezia (transferred from corporate cousin Costa Cruises). In fact, Carnival now has more capacity sailing per ALBDs (available lower berth days), according to the line, than it did in 2019.
Cyber Monday is just one of two booking records recently broken by Carnival; from March 28 to April 3, 2022, the line experienced its busiest one-week reservation period, showing a double-digit increase from the previous record booking week.
Carnival Cruise Line sold 50% more volume on Cyber Monday 2022 than it did pre-pandemic on Cyber Monday 2019
Credit: Carnival Cruise LineCelebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises saw its single-largest booking day on Black Friday, meanwhile, in addition to experiencing its best-ever Cyber Monday results. The company credits the success to enticing holiday discounts and incentives.
“All the recent exposure highlighting Celebrity’s innovative ship design and onboard offerings built incredible demand from consumers longing to experience the world in new ways and through a new level of relaxed luxury,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of the brand. “We saw demand across the full depth and breadth of our itinerary offerings around the globe and we can’t wait to take our guests to the world’s best places on the world’s best places: our Celebrity ships.”
We saw demand across the full depth and breadth of our itinerary offerings around the globe …
Holland America Line
Holland America Line, too, broke its Black Friday record. The brand reported nearly 20% more in sales volume than on Black Friday 2019, and more than 10% higher from Black Friday to Cyber Monday overall. Alaska sailings did particularly well: Black Friday reservations were up more than 60% compared to the holiday period in 2019, and up more than 25% for the period from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
“Our guests went on a shopping spree this weekend, and it wasn’t at the mall,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America. “We are pleased to see pent-up demand for cruising play out in such a significant way — especially in Alaska, where we are the pioneers of cruise travel and the only cruise line with owned land operations in Denali and Yukon.”
Antorcha recognized the results as an encouraging sign not only for Holland America, but for cruise travel in general.
Our guests went on a shopping spree this weekend, and it wasn’t at the mall.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises recorded its best-ever month in October, when it made nearly 400,000 international guest reservations. As a result, the line has secured above-average occupancy for its winter 2022/23 and summer 2023 seasons. Ships included in the record reservations include its latest MSC World Europa and upcoming MSC Seascape and MSC Euribia.
“October has been the strongest month for bookings in the entire history of our brand,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “This reflects the continued strong investments made in our fleet, which is one of the most modern in the industry with five new state-of-the-art vessels delivered only in the last three years alone and more than any other brand since 2017. Our guests and travel partners also appreciate the continuously improving experience we provide on our elegant and sophisticated vessels, the truly global array of itinerary options available, and our commitment to environmental sustainability.”
The executive points to long-term planning as key to MSC’s recent success, noting that making reservations further out allows guests and travel agents to avoid potentially restricted capacities closer to sail dates.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line also reported not only a record day (Nov. 25), but also record week and month following its latest holiday promotions.
"Momentum is strong, and there is no better evidence of this than our record-breaking performance this November, the best-booked month in the history of our cruise line," said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. "This achievement is even more impressive when considering November is historically one of the slower booking months for our business. On the heels of the successful launch of our groundbreaking Norwegian Prima, which has already received numerous accolades, we are well on our way to a banner year. I’m very excited about 2023 and all that is yet to come.”
Royal Caribbean International
Like corporate cousin Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International witnessed record bookings over the holiday weekend. The brand saw its single-largest day of reservations on Black Friday, marking the third time the line has broken its own record in 2022 alone — first in April, then again in October when Icon of the Seas was largely revealed.
“This has been a year for the books at Royal Caribbean International, from the full return of our 26 ships to the first look at Icon of the Seas, the best family vacation in the world,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the line. “Every milestone met is an accomplishment achieved; it’s a wonderful start to 2023, and we are excited for what lies ahead. We could not have reached this point without our loyal guests, valued travel advisors and partners, and the Royal Caribbean International team around the world.”
Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line also witnessed its best-ever booking month in November, according to reservations made for 2023 and 2024 luxury voyages, which tripled what it had made during the same time in 2019. The brand also saw its best one-week reservation period for its expedition cruises since launching the new Seabourn Venture in July.
“Our teams have done an incredible job telling the Seabourn ocean and expedition story to both guests and travel advisor partners,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “Our incredible ‘This Is Your Moment’ campaign has resonated with guests, our onboard teams have consistently delivered unforgettable ‘Seabourn Moments’ to our guests, and our travel advisor partners have the confidence in us to deliver amazing life-expanding moments to their clients. All of these efforts have led to incredible demand for the Seabourn ultra-luxury travel experience and new booking records, and we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard our entire fleet.”
SeaDream Yacht Club
Smaller operators are benefiting from increased reservation activity, as well. Following the release of its new summer 2025 Scandinavia and Northern Europe itineraries, SeaDream Yacht Club recorded its best first-week bookings for any new season opening. The luxury yachting line attributes its success to pent-up demand for future travel, as well as the brand’s unique ability to access more remote destinations.
“Travelers continue to gain confidence in booking a future voyage, especially for small, luxurious vessels such as SeaDream I and SeaDream II,” said Andreas Brynestad, founder and owner of SeaDream Yacht Club. “SeaDream’s modernized yachts; the distinctive destinations where we go that larger ships cannot; and the support of our valued travel partners helped make our new season launch a success. We look forward to welcoming our loyal guests and new-to-SeaDream guests onboard for a most memorable and luxurious yachting experience.”
