Get closer to AAdvantage status with this Black Friday cruise deal

It’s Black Friday, so you know to expect some exciting travel deals through Cyber Monday.

If you’re looking for cruise deals this holiday season, particularly with Royal Caribbean, then you’re in luck. American Airlines Cruises has partnered with the big-ship cruise line to not only offer you incredible deals on your next cruise vacation, but also to reward you with double AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points to get you closer to AAdvantage status.

With the introduction of Loyalty Points earlier this year, American has made it easier than ever to earn AAdvantage status, and this Black Friday promotion from Royal Caribbean and American Airlines Cruises could get you that much closer to qualifying for 2023.

Keep reading to find out more about American Airlines Cruises and Royal Caribbean, and everything you need to know about this Black Friday cruise deal.

What is American Airlines Cruises?

American Airlines Cruises is a cruise booking portal that rewards you with AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points when you book a cruise. You can book sailings on most major cruise lines through the portal for up to 75% off of the brochure price. Plus, the site offers a 110% best price guarantee. If you find your cruise at a lower price within 48 hours of booking, American Airlines Cruises will refund you 110% of the difference between the two prices. You’ll also be eligible for all the current cruise line booking perks as well as onboard amenities based on your status in any applicable cruise loyalty program.

The site also has dedicated travel experts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist you with your booking. You can even add insurance to your cruise with LeisureCare, their travel protection plan.

Despite all of these fantastic reasons to book your next cruise with American Airlines Cruises, the best reason of all is that you’ll earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points that will get you even closer to earning AAdvantage status — and this is even more lucrative right now.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning American Airlines AAdvantage status

Earn miles (and Loyalty Points) with American Airlines Cruises

Typically when you book a cruise through American Airlines Cruises, you earn 1 base mile per dollar spent (up to 10,000 miles in total). But this Black Friday, you’ll earn 1 additional bonus mile per dollar when booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean.

In addition, you can enjoy even more on select Alaska sailings — 15,000 bonus miles for balcony reservations and 25,000 bonus miles for booking a suite.

And since each base mile you earn also counts as 1 Loyalty Point, booking a cruise today could put you that much closer to status.

As a reminder, AAdvantage members have until February 2023 to earn the required number of Loyalty Points to earn (or retain) status with American Airlines. Loyalty Points can be earned in a number of ways — including by flying with American Airlines, spending on AAdvantage credit cards, shopping through the AAdvantage online shopping portal and booking cruises through American Airlines Cruises.

American Gold status requires just 30,000 Loyalty Points. This means that just a single cruise booking through this Black Friday promotion with American Airlines Cruises and Royal Caribbean could put you one-third of the way to Gold — or even higher levels of status if you’ve already accumulated some Loyalty Points.

The Royal Caribbean experience

When I think of Royal Caribbean, I think about a supersized vacation experience. Its huge ships have an outrageous number of onboard attractions, from waterslides, zip lines and rock climbing walls to more bars, restaurants and shops than you could possibly visit on a weeklong trip. So it’s only fitting that the cruise line would partner with American Airlines Cruises to offer you twice as many miles (and Loyalty Points) for your next cruise during this Black Friday promotion.

Royal Caribbean sails to 300 destinations around the world including the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean with some of the biggest cruise ships in the world — and the activities to match. You’ll never be disappointed with the amenities, attractions and entertainment available when you cruise with Royal Caribbean. In fact, its newest ship — Icon of the Seas — will feature the largest water park at sea and have seven pools (and bookings are now open!).

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Families, friends, couples and multigenerational groups can look forward to a variety of room configurations, including connecting cabins, family-friendly accommodations, spacious suites and even a thrill-filled Ultimate Family Suite with a private game room and in-suite slide. Wow.

But the Black Friday promotion and onboard experience aren’t the only reasons to book a cruise today.

Additional cruise perks

When you book your Royal Caribbean cruise with American Airlines Cruises, not only will you earn double the miles; you’ll also get an array of additional perks. Here’s the complete list of what you can expect when you book a Royal Caribbean cruise with American Airlines Cruises:

• 30% off every guest, and kids sail free on select sailings (for all bookings through Nov. 30).
• Up to $600 in instant savings (combinable with 30% off and free kids fares) on Black Friday.
• Prepaid gratuities on select sailings ($18.50 per person per day for suites and $16 per person per day for all other categories).
• Exclusive: Onboard spending credit of up to $150.

The prepaid gratuities alone are a savings of $259 for a couple sharing a suite on a weeklong cruise — and the other savings just sweeten the deal even more.

Bottom line

This Black Friday, American Airlines Cruises has partnered with Royal Caribbean to offer double miles when you book a cruise. AAdvantage members will earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean cruises on top of the best deals all year — along with the chance to earn up to 25,000 bonus miles on select Alaska cruise bookings.

American Airlines Cruises offers up to 75% off the brochure price for cruises as well as a 110% best price guarantee if you find your cruise for less within 48 hours of booking. American Airlines Cruises also always honors cruise line loyalty perks.

When you book your Royal Caribbean cruise through American Airlines Cruises this Black Friday, you’ll also receive additional perks such as 30% off every guest and free kids fares on select sailings (ends Nov. 30) plus up to $600 in savings.

Hurry before this deal is gone! Book your Royal Caribbean cruise on American Airlines Cruises now.