How to Score Last-Minute Bargains on Royal Caribbean Cruises

Most people think the only way to get a bargain on a Royal Caribbean cruise is to wait for a big sale, but there’s a secret list of deals hiding in plain sight. Every week, Royal Caribbean quietly posts some of their best last-minute prices, and savvy cruisers can grab them before they vanish. Here’s how it works.

A bright, tropical beach scene at the Family Beach section of the Royal Beach Club in Nassau, showing rows of turquoise lounge chairs and umbrellas along the white sand shoreline. The large Royal Caribbean cruise ship Utopia of the Seas is docked nearby, with lush palm trees and cabanas lining the beach under a clear blue sky. — Family Beach, Royal Beach Club

What “Going, Going, Gone” Is

Royal Caribbean calls these secret weekly discounts their “Going, Going, Gone” rates, and they really do go fast.

It’s a simple PDF document, updated once a week, that lists last-minute cruises with unsold cabins at heavily reduced prices. Originally designed for travel agents, but the list is actually public, meaning anyone can access it if they know where to look.

Screenshot of Royal Caribbean last minute cruises.

Where to Find It

Here’s the catch, you won’t find the “Going, Going, Gone” deals linked anywhere on Royal Caribbean’s main website. They’re hidden away on a page most cruisers never stumble across.

The good news? The link never seems to change, so once you’ve got it, you can bookmark it and check it every week.

👉 Here’s the link: Royal Caribbean “Going, Going, Gone” PDF

Just click through and you’ll see a simple price sheet showing which sailings are included that week, which cabin types are discounted, and the fare for each one.

How It Works

Icon of the Seas

Each Tuesday or Wednesday, Royal Caribbean updates the “Going, Going, Gone” list with fresh deals. It’s first-come, first-served – once a cabin at that price sells, it’s gone, even though the PDF won’t update until the following week.

Booking is simple: you don’t need a promo code or any special instructions. Just search for the cruise you want on Royal Caribbean’s website or through your travel agent and book at the listed price.

Because these are last-minute cruises, most are within the next 60 days and already past the final payment date. That means you’ll need to pay the full cruise fare upfront.

The selection is usually limited, so flexibility is key. Some weeks might have dozens of options; others, just a handful.

When the Best Deals Pop Up

Timing plays a huge role in how much you can save. Royal Caribbean’s “Going, Going, Gone” list tends to shine when demand is lower, which means the biggest discounts usually pop up during quieter parts of the cruising calendar.

Repositioning cruises, when ships move between regions, such as from the Caribbean to Europe, are often some of the cheapest sailings you’ll ever find. The same goes for off-season sailings, particularly in September and October, when fewer people are booking trips to the Caribbean, Europe, or Alaska.

You might also spot some great bargains just before or after peak holiday periods, like early December or late January, when prices dip before surging again for the festive season. Keeping an eye on the list during these windows gives you the best chance of snagging an incredible deal.

Real Examples of Savings

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas cruise ship is docked at a tropical island, captured from an aerial view. The turquoise and shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea contrast with the large, elegant white ship, while the vibrant island in the background adds to the paradise-like setting.

These deals aren’t just hype — they can lead to serious savings. Here are a few standouts:

Freedom of the Seas: 7-night oceanview cabin for just $584 per person – nearly 60% off the original fare.
Allure of the Seas: 4-night sailing in a guaranteed interior cabin for $834.36 total for two people, including port fees and gratuities.
Liberty of the Seas: A guaranteed interior cabin at $99 per night – one of the cheapest fares ever found.

It’s a bit of a gamble since guaranteed cabins mean you don’t pick your room, but if you’re willing to roll the dice, the savings can be huge.

Final Thoughts

Royal Caribbean’s “Going, Going, Gone” list is one of the cruise line’s best-kept secrets, and a fantastic way to squeeze in an extra sailing without breaking the bank.

The key is to be quick, stay flexible, and treat these deals as a bonus opportunity rather than the main way you plan your holidays. For big family trips or specific itineraries, booking early is still the safest bet for getting the cabin you want.

But if you can pack a bag at short notice, this weekly list could be your ticket to some of the cheapest Royal Caribbean cruises you’ll ever find. Bookmark it, check it every Tuesday, and be ready to book the moment you see a deal that works for you, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.