Last Friday was, of course, Black Friday in the United States – when one could find some of the most amazing bargains of the year in shops and also at travel agents.

It is not just in the U.S. where bargain fever has been sweeping the country, however – it has spread across the Atlantic. Cruise lines have never been keener to distract prospective passengers away from their Christmas shopping and get them planning their next cruise.

Virgin Cruises recently announced a sale with 10% off reservations for suites and balcony cabins on a whole range of 2012 cruises. This included an 11-day cruise to the United Arab Emirates departing on the 9th January from only £949. Guests will spend seven nights on board Brilliance of the Seas visiting exotic locations such as Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Fujairah, followed by a three-night sojourn in a luxury Dubai hotel.

Even Thomson got in on the act. They offer discounts of up to £854 per booking plus a free upgrade to an outside cabin on cruise holidays in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Red Sea between February and April next year.

P&O Cruises is celebrating its 175th birthday this year and what better reason can there be for a whole array of discounts? In fact 175 of the 214 cruises in the cruise line’s latest brochure are discounted by up to 10%. If you book a world cruise for 2013 they will even add onboard credit of £1,100.