Sarah BretzDaydreaming about a Thanksgiving full of family, laughter, and a delicious feast without the prep work, cooking, and cleanup that’s usually involved? If so, we have the answer for you: Thanksgiving on a cruise! Pretty much every cruise ship sailing in and around the U.S. over the Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrating with a traditional Thanksgiving feast complete with all the trimmings. Many ships also offer Thanksgiving-themed activities and — of course — football games on the big screen.
Here, we’re going over what you need to know about Thanksgiving cruises, from when you should book and what you should pack to questions about the onboard experience, some top Thanksgiving cruise picks in 2026, and more.
Why spend Thanksgiving on a cruise?
A full Thanksgiving meal without any of the prep work, cooking, or sink full of dishes to wash once it’s all over. What more could you ask for? Many cruisers see appeal in spending Thanksgiving on a cruise because it’s a chance to have a fun getaway and truly relax for the holiday. Everyone is taken care of, everyone is fed, and the only things on your to-do list are hitting the pool and ordering a cocktail.
Cruises are also excellent for multi-generational families, as they provide an opportunity for everyone to travel together but still do their own thing when they want, too. Maybe you want to have dinner together every night, but split off during the day doing things like hanging out at the pool, participating in game shows, or doing a bar crawl. The kids won’t get bored either, as there are activities and spaces geared towards them on board.
If you live in a climate where mid-late fall and winter are downright cold, it also helps that you get to spend the holiday in a warm place for a change. You get to trade in your sweater and boots for a swimsuit and flip-flops — complete with a beach (or several!) to enjoy along the way.
How do cruise lines spend Thanksgiving onboard?
While Thanksgiving isn’t as big of a deal on cruise ships as holidays like Christmas or Halloween, rest assured that if you’re sailing from/around the U.S. there will still be a celebration on board. Sometimes you can even find Thanksgiving celebrations on ships in Europe or South America if they’re cruise lines that cater heavily to American travelers.
The focal point of Thanksgiving, besides taking time to reflect on what you’re thankful for in your life, is — of course — the traditional Thanksgiving meal! Across pretty much all cruise lines, you can expect roasted turkey along with sides such as sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cranberry sauce. Of course, a variety of appetizers are also available, with squash or pumpkin soup being a favorite for the season.
And since cruise lines know that not all guests may like or be able to eat the traditional meal, there are other entrée options such as roasted chicken breast, salmon, steak or another beef dish, a pasta, and at least one vegetarian option.
Many of the usual desserts are available, along with festive favorites like pecan or pumpkin pie, apple crisp or cobbler, and pumpkin or fruit cheesecake.
Many cruise lines don’t really do much for Thanksgiving beyond the special Thanksgiving Day feast. However, you may find more family-focused or Thanksgiving themed game shows, scavenger hunts, or trivia during a Thanksgiving cruise. In the kids’ clubs, crafts or other activities may also have a Thanksgiving theme.
Of course, passengers can also catch football games on the big screens outside and in the ship’s sports bar.
What should I pack for a Thanksgiving cruise?
For most guests, packing clothes for Thanksgiving on a cruise won’t look too different from packing for any other cruise. It isn’t even necessarily one of your ship’s official “formal” nights — each cruise line is different when it comes to whether they align formal night with Thanksgiving evening. If you want to be sure, check with your cruise line to see whether Thanksgiving will be a gala-style feast where guests dress to the nines, or whether the “special” in the occasion will revolve strictly around the delicious Thanksgiving meal.
If you want to be extra festive on Thanksgiving, regardless of whether it’s formal night, pack fancy, fun outfits that give you all those autumn and Thanksgiving vibes. Parents might want to pack cute Thanksgiving themed outfits for their little ones to wear throughout the day and evening. If your cruise line allows door decorations, you might want to bring some Thanksgiving-themed magnets or other décor to add some festive spirit to your stateroom corridor.
Otherwise, pack for the region where you’re sailing. From the U.S., nearly all cruises in November will be to warm places like the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexican Riviera. If you want a full packing list, head over to our Caribbean cruise packing guide.
When should you book a Thanksgiving cruise?
Thanksgiving cruises are very popular, and often sail near or at full capacity. So, as we recommend with any cruise, try to book as far in advance as you can. Prices often creep up the closer to the sail date you get, especially with something as popular as a Thanksgiving cruise. You’ll find some of the best pricing if you book far out. If you have your heart set on a particular cruise line or ship, book far in advance to secure your spot on board and have the best selection of staterooms to choose from.
Are Thanksgiving cruises expensive?
While “expensive” is a relative term, in short — yes. Due to their popularity, Thanksgiving cruises demand a premium. School is out for the long holiday weekend, so families are looking to take advantage of the school break with a quick cruise getaway. Plus, many cruisers both young and old just love the special atmosphere of spending a holiday at sea.
If you’re looking for a great deal, you might be hard pressed to find one that includes Thanksgiving Day. But if your heart is set on enjoying the holiday feast on the open ocean, start looking far in advance and consider enlisting the help of a travel agent. Our friends at MEI-Travel would love to help you with the planning at no additional cost to you.
When should I plan to arrive to the embarkation city for a Thanksgiving cruise?
Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States. As many Americans hit the road or the skies to spend the holiday with their families, this means there can be major backups and delays — especially if another factor like weather comes into play. If you’re flying, we’d ordinarily say it’s fine to plan to arrive to your cruise embarkation city just one day prior to sailing.
However, if you’re sailing over Thanksgiving and want to play it extra safe — especially if your cruise embarks just a day or two prior to Thanksgiving Day — try to fly to your homeport city at least two days in advance. Or at the very least, take the earliest morning flight you can find one day prior. You don’t have to let that time go to waste — explore the homeport city before setting sail and it’s almost like a second mini vacation!
And while we’re talking about flying, we have a tip concerning air travel around Thanksgiving. If you will have a layover, try to choose flights with longer layovers. Even if you usually play it safe, play it EXTRA safe around Thanksgiving. A longer layover means you have a better chance of catching your next flight if the first one is delayed.
Will the football games be playing on my cruise ship?
If you’re taking a cruise that sails from a U.S. or Caribbean homeport, your ship will most likely be airing the NFL games taking place throughout the week — often on the big screen by the pool, in the sports bar, and on stateroom TVs.
There is a caveat, though. Games are aired across different networks and platforms, including internet streaming services. This year, two of the Thanksgiving week games will be airing exclusively on Netflix and Prime Video. Your ship may not be able to show those two games. If you do want to watch them, be sure you have access to internet on board that supports video streaming — which may be the most expensive internet package your ship offers.
What should I do about Thanksgiving dinner on a cruise if I have food allergies?
If you have food allergies or any sort of dietary restriction, inform your cruise line prior to sailing. You should be able to find an online form to fill out or a phone number to call to let them know, depending on the cruise line. Then, once you’re on the ship, inform the maître d’ in the dining room as well as your server. If you dine in any specialty restaurants, be sure to let servers there know about your restrictions, too.
Cruise ships are known for being very good about handling and accommodating passengers’ food allergies and restrictions. Chances are you’ll be able to have a wonderful Thanksgiving feast alongside everyone else, even if a few tweaks need to be made to make sure it’s safe for you to enjoy.
Our Top Picks For 2026 Thanksgiving Cruises
Star of the Seas – Royal Caribbean: 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day roundtrip from Port Canaveral on November 22, 2026
How does spending Thanksgiving aboard one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest and newest ships sound? No one will be bored on this trip, as there’s more than enough to do for everyone from babies to great-grandparents. Set sail out of Port Canaveral in Florida on a voyage that stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, as well as Roatán, Honduras. Looking for a private island experience? This cruise includes that, too! Hit the beach or live it up in the water park on Royal Caribbean’s island Perfect Day CocoCay.
Disney Wonder – Disney Cruise Line: 7-night Very Merrytime Mexican Riviera Cruise roundtrip from San Diego on November 22, 2026
No one does holidays quite like Disney Cruise Line, and a Thanksgiving voyage with the line is no exception. In fact, you get to celebrate TWO holidays during this sailing, as it’s also one of Disney’s Very Merrytime Christmas cruises. If you’re out on the West Coast and have a Disney-loving family, this voyage might fit the bill perfectly. From San Diego, set sail to Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas, and Ensenada, Mexico, enjoying a tropical holiday experience amongst oceanside resort towns and beautiful beaches.
Celebrity Ascent – Celebrity Cruises: 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on November 23, 2026
Those looking for an extended cruise on a premium line need look no further. This 11-night adventure takes place aboard one of Celebrity’s newest ships, bringing guests to Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; through the Panama Canal, and to all three of the southern Caribbean’s famous ABC islands. With family-focused games and activities, football games on the big screen, and a Thanksgiving meal you won’t have to clean up after, time spent at sea is the perfect way to spend the holiday.
Valiant Lady – Virgin Voyages – 8-night Southern Caribbean Cruise roundtrip from San Juan on November 20, 2026
Seeking a grown-up getaway for Thanksgiving this year? Look no further than this southern Caribbean sailing aboard Virgin‘s Valiant Lady. You’ll set sail right from the Caribbean, providing the perfect excuse for spending a couple extra days before or after the cruise exploring historic Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. Then, head off on your tropical Thanksgiving getaway with calls to St. Thomas, Curacao, St. Kitts, Aruba, and St. Maarten.
On board, enjoy signature Virgin Voyages experiences including the red-drenched Scarlet Night that’s capped off with an epic deck party, edgy entertainment in the theater and nightclub, the open-air Dock at the ship’s aft, and a variety of restaurants — all of which are included in the cruise fare.
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