Black Friday may have started as a retail frenzy, but it has quickly become one of the most critical weeks in the travel calendar, and this year is no exception. In this edition of Ian McIntosh’s Weekly Travel Deals, Australia’s senior traveller casts an experienced eye over a barrage of “too good to miss” offers on flights, cruises, tours, car hire and hotels. From mega cruise discounts and Antarctic expeditions to bargain city stays and car rentals, Ian highlights where the real value lies, where the small print bites, and why a trusted travel agent and solid insurance should still be part of every sensible traveller’s toolkit.
The Black Friday travel deals look great at first glance – but don’t forget to read the small print.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES Black Friday deals include up to 20% off selected flights to destinations like Singapore, Krabi, and Tokyo, along with up to 25% off children’s fares. Enrich members can get an extra 5% off, and there are also savings on Golden Lounge access and seat selection.
CATHAY PACIFIC has also joined the Black Friday promo, but I don’t have the final details. Here is the message: “On Thursday, 27 November 2025, our highly anticipated Black Friday Sale to all our destinations worldwide is landing. Get ready to discover more of the world with savings on flights to everywhere we fly.”
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES Black Friday bonus is up to 45% off and US$500 shipboard credit per suite on select ultra-luxury voyages – but you need to hurry. The deals sail away on December 2. Have a look at the 18-night Sydney to Singapore sailing departing on January 27 2026.
HX EXPEDITIONS, the world’s oldest and longest-running expedition cruise company, has a list of discounted fares on voyages to Antarctica. For instance: Life Returns: Springtime Expedition to Antarctica –23 days, cruising from October 2026. Savings are from AU$6,816 – but again, you need to hurry. December 3 is the last day to book.
EUROPCAR is ready to get you on the road for less: save up to 20% on your next car hire for Cyber Monday. Book until December 7 and hit the road.
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA’s Black Friday contribution is up to 50% off economy X seats – more legroom for less is the slogan.
BOOKING.COM is offering up to 40% off stays until December 3. There are also deals on flights, car rental and airport transfers.
FROM LAST WEEK:
CELESTYAL has unveiled a new snap sale offering savings of up to 70% on 113 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027. Sailings in Greece and the Mediterranean include 16 departures of the seven-night ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy & Croatia cruise, sailing round-trip from Athens.
ACCOR is the choice if you are heading to NZ – Stay two+ nights and enjoy up to 20% off across more than 30 hotels.
SILVERSEA, the luxury cruise operator, has a Black Friday savings of up to $15,000 on expedition and $10,000 on classic voyages, available on more than 950 sailings. The deals end on December 2.
NORWEGIAN is also in the black, offering up to 50% off cruises, complimentary premium beverages and up to $1,000 airfare credit.
CELEBRITY’S Black deal is 75% off the second guest and bonus savings on selected dates.
OCEANIA – not to be outdone- is offering up to 50% off on a long list of selected sailings.
PRINCESS CRUISES says forget about Black Friday – the Blue Friday Sale is full steam ahead. Until December 9 2025, you can book your next Princess cruise with 50% reduced deposits.
FIREFLY – sister airline to Malaysia Airlines – invites you to discover more of Southeast Asia. From $599 return, connect seamlessly to destinations including Krabi, Cebu and Siem Reap via Kuala Lumpur.
NIB TRAVEL INSURANCE will be offering 20% off all domestic and international policies until December 9, 2025.
WENDY WU TOURS Big Deal Sale means savings of up to $4,000 per couple on over 900 departures in 2025 and 2026, plus savings on Japan’s cherry blossoms in 2027. Choose from tours to Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America and more.
ACCOMMODATION: The Christmas decorations went up last night in every busy Merchants Street, Valletta. Despite how late it is in the season, there are still plenty of people strolling about Malta’s capital. Ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John, Valletta’s 320 monuments, all within an area of 55 ha, make it one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. If you want to really spoil yourself, stay at The Saint John hotel – get a premium room overlooking Merchants Street. You will be right in the centre of the action – and the rooms are outstanding – large, beautifully decorated, with all of the trimmings. We have stayed here twice now and can happily recommend the experience.
TRADE ONLY: Breakaway Travel Club has some last-minute industry deals for the school holidays aboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Included is an 11-night New Zealand Cruise departing Sydney on December 28 2025, aboard RCL’s Anthem of the Seas.
Remember, conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent – and travel insurance is essential. Finally, I make mistakes like everyone else. Check websites to confirm details. Want to join our mailing list? Send a request to [email protected]. Ian McIntosh is Australia’s senior traveller. Remember, we have no commercial relationship with any operator.
By Ian Mcintosh – (c) 2025
Read Time: 5 minutes.
About the Writer
Veteran journalist and publisher Ian McIntosh has spent a lifetime exploring the world and sharing its wonders. As the founder of Travelnews Australia, his nationally distributed, full-colour travel trade publication earned the esteemed Telstra Business Award.
Though now retired, Ian remains a passionate globetrotter with a soft spot for small-ship cruising and for discovering good-value hotels across Europe. His most recent adventure involved a rather enthusiastic Thai elephant named Bo, who promptly deposited him into a pond. A true storyteller at heart, Ian continues to travel with humour, curiosity, and an unwavering love for the road less travelled.
