Let’s be honest, Black Friday is fast becoming a national sport. You’ve got 14 tabs open, several carts full of “Should I?” and a nagging feeling that the latest gadget you’re about to buy will be collecting dust by February.
Here’s the plot twist your cart has been waiting for. A Carnival cruise costs about the same as many of those everyday luxuries, but it delivers a whole lot more. You get endless entertainment, sea breezes, zero meal planning and precious memories your kids will still bring up at dinner in ten years.
So let’s put it to the test.
The gym membership you’ll never use vs. the cruise you’ll never forget
We’ve all been there. January-you was so motivated. February-you hasn’t been to the gym since. That membership is quietly draining your account while the guilt builds.
A cruise holiday, on the other hand, is the one thing you’ll absolutely show up for. And if you do fancy a little movement, you can dance at a stage show, race your kids down a waterslide or power-walk to the buffet. No sign-up fees, no guilt, no judgment.
Three kids on a Carnival cruise eating ice cream. Credit: Supplied
The $900+ hair wand vs. a 7-day South Pacific cruise
Admittedly, a hair wand for over $900 promises perfect waves. But when was the last time you had the time to use it between school drop-offs and soccer training?
That same money (pretty much) gets you a 7-day Carnival cruise to the South Pacific, per person, twin share. Your hair will do its own thing in the ocean breeze, and honestly, you’ll look great because you’ll be relaxed. Pristine beaches, turquoise water and Fiji’s friendly locals beat a styling tool every time.
The $1,800 drone vs. a 7-day Great Barrier Reef cruise for two
Drones are cool. But after the first weekend of flying it around the backyard (and the inevitable tree incident), how often will you really take it out?
For around the same $1,800, you could enjoy a 7-day Carnival cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for two. Skip the aerial footage of your suburb and see one of the world’s natural wonders with your own eyes. No drone can top that view.
Happy family on the beach on a Carnival family cruise. Credit: Supplied
The $1,000 LED face mask vs. an 8-day South Pacific cruise
The LED mask might give you glowing skin. But for just over $1,000, you get pretty much the same as an 8-day Carnival cruise to the South Pacific.
Eight days of sun, sea and a bit of pampering at the onboard spa? That’s a glow that comes from the inside. Nobody ever came home from the Pacific wishing they’d bought the face mask instead.
The $600 mini handbag vs. a 4-day Moreton Island cruise
It’s small. It’s stylish. It holds a lip balm and one hair tie. At $600, it’s also roughly the price of a 4-day Carnival cruise to Moreton Island, per person, twin share.
Would you rather carry a tiny bag or a big bundle of memories? Exactly.
The $490 ice cream maker vs. a 3-day cruise
Homemade ice cream is a lovely idea, until it’s a sticky benchtop and a machine that lives in the cupboard. For about $490, you could instead take a 3-day Carnival cruise, per person, twin share.
A short break is the perfect way to test the waters (literally) and give the whole family a mini escape. Bonus points: someone else makes the treats.
Family in the pool on board a Carnival cruise. Credit: Supplied
Why a cruise is a parent-friendly purchase
Here’s the best bit. Carnival cruises are built with families in mind, so everyone gets a holiday, including you.
Kids’ clubs for every age. Little ones will love the organised clubs for different age groups:
- Camp Ocean for 2–11-year-olds, with ocean-themed fun
- Night Owls for kids under 11, who can keep the fun going until midnight
- Circle C for 12–14-year-olds to hang out, dance, watch movies and play games
- Club O2 for high schoolers aged 15–17 to meet, greet and have a great time
Time for you, too. While the kids enjoy cruise activities, you can relax at the bars, stage shows and spas. Yes, really.
Rooms that fit the whole crew. Staterooms can be configured in different ways and sleep up to five. Some can connect to neighbouring rooms, and you can even request one with an extra bathroom, which any parent knows is the real luxury.
Food everyone will eat. Family dining caters to all tastes, so there’s no more negotiating over what’s for dinner.
Easy to get to. With cruises from Brisbane and cruises from Sydney, there’s no need for a long flight before the holiday even begins.
So, what goes in the Black Friday cart?
The hair wand will gather dust, the drone will end up in a tree, and that pesky gym membership will continually renew. But a family cruise? That’s the purchase that comes with sunsets, souvenirs and stories the kids will tell for years.
This Black Friday, spend on something that gives you more than a delivery notification.
Explore the range of Carnival cruises now
Prices are indicative and based on per-person, twin-share fares unless stated. Check carnival.com.au for current pricing, availability and terms.
