Thanksgiving usually brings to mind family gatherings, crowded kitchens, long drives, and the annual question of who is hosting this year. But what if you did something a little different?
We've experienced Thanksgiving cruising in two very different ways: as part of a large extended-family trip and as a getaway just for the two of us. Both were enjoyable, and we'd happily do it again.
What surprised us most? You don't need a big group to enjoy a holiday cruise. And you certainly don't need to spend the holiday at home just because that's what you've always done.
Thanksgiving Cruising With the Whole Family
Traveling with a large extended family can be wonderful, but coordinating everyone isn't always easy. Different households, different schedules, different ages—and somehow, someone still has to figure out the food.
A Thanksgiving cruise takes some of that pressure off.
For families whose schedules allow it, Thanksgiving can be a convenient time to get together without everyone needing to coordinate a separate vacation week. Some people may have extra days off, others may use vacation time, and for some, the holiday weekend simply works better than another time of year.
Instead of gathering everyone at one person's home, you meet up on a ship where there are restaurants, entertainment, activities, and plenty of opportunities to spend time together.
And let's be honest: sometimes a cruise ship is a more comfortable gathering place than trying to fit the entire extended family into Grandma's tiny house!
You can enjoy meals together, make memories, and spend time catching up without expecting one family member to do all the hosting, cooking, and cleaning.
There's also room for everyone to do their own thing. Not everyone needs to participate in every activity or sit together for every meal. You can plan a few group get-togethers and let everyone enjoy the rest of the cruise their own way.
That balance is one of the things that can make a large-family cruise work so well.
Thanksgiving Cruising as a Couple—or Even Solo
Our other experience was completely different, and that's part of the reason we'd recommend considering a holiday cruise.
Sometimes family has other plans. Sometimes you're not hosting Thanksgiving, and sometimes you aren't traveling to a relative's house. You look at the days off you have available and realize you have an opportunity to get away.
That's what happened to us.
We had the time off, found ourselves with no big Thanksgiving plans, and decided to book a cruise at the last minute. Our reaction was essentially, “Why not?”
It turned out to be a wonderful way to spend the holiday.
There was no need to organize a family gathering or plan a traditional Thanksgiving at home. Instead, we had time together, a change of scenery, and a vacation to enjoy.
The same idea could work for solo travelers, too. If your holiday plans have changed or you'd simply rather spend the time doing something different, a cruise can be an option worth exploring.
You don't have to wait for everyone else's schedule to line up before making plans of your own.
Will You Feel Out of Place on a Cruise Over Thanksgiving?
One of the things we noticed was the mix of travelers onboard. There were large groups traveling together, as well as smaller parties and people enjoying the holiday in their own way.
That variety made sense to us. People have different family situations, traditions, budgets, and ideas about what makes a good holiday.
Some want a big family celebration. Others want a quieter getaway. Some want to avoid the cooking and cleanup, while others simply enjoy traveling when they have the opportunity.
A Thanksgiving cruise can accommodate different approaches to the holiday. You can celebrate with your group, enjoy the onboard atmosphere, or simply appreciate being somewhere different for a few days.
And if your family is scattered across different cities, a cruise may even offer a convenient place to meet rather than having everyone travel to one person's home.
Is It Too Late to Plan a Thanksgiving Cruise?
That depends on whether you're organizing a large family trip or looking for a getaway of your own.
Planning a Cruise With the Extended Family? Start Early.
If you're hoping to bring several households together, this is a great time to start thinking about next Thanksgiving.
Coordinating schedules, finding cabins that work for everyone, arranging nearby rooms, and agreeing on a budget takes time. Booking well in advance can also give your group more choices when it comes to ships, itineraries, and cabin locations.
You don't have to make every decision today. Start the conversation, find out who might be interested, and decide what kind of trip your family would enjoy. You could even make planning next Thanksgiving part of this year's holiday conversation!
Thinking About Escaping This Thanksgiving Instead?
If you're a couple or solo traveler who would rather spend the holiday somewhere different, don't assume you've missed your chance.
Even as Thanksgiving gets closer, it's worth checking cruise availability. Some sailings may still have cabins open, and cancellations can sometimes make additional cabins available at the last minute.
Keep your plans flexible. You may need to consider a different ship, itinerary, cabin category, or departure port than you originally had in mind. Also, compare the full cost, including transportation and any hotel stay you might need.
A last-minute cruise isn't guaranteed to be cheaper, and availability can change quickly. But if your holiday plans have fallen through, family has made other arrangements, or you simply decide you'd rather get away, it may be worth taking a look.
That's exactly how we approached our own Thanksgiving cruise as a couple. We had the time off, no family gathering to host or travel to, and decided, “Why not?”
Sometimes the best trips aren't the ones you've planned for a year. They're the ones you decide to take when an unexpected opportunity comes along.
What to Consider Before Booking a Thanksgiving Cruise
A holiday cruise can be appealing, but it still takes a little planning.
Check the total cost. Compare cruise fares, transportation to the port, hotel stays if needed, gratuities, excursions, and any extras you expect to purchase. A last-minute fare can look tempting, but the full trip cost matters.
Look at the dates carefully. Thanksgiving gives some people extra flexibility, but not everyone's work schedule or school calendar is the same. Check departure and return dates before committing.
Book the right cabin for your needs. If you're traveling with a large group, decide whether you want nearby cabins or simply want to be on the same sailing. If you're traveling as a couple or solo, choose a cabin that fits your budget and preferences.
Plan ahead for a large group. If dining together is important, check the cruise line's arrangements for group dining. Popular sailings and convenient cabin locations can become harder to secure as departure approaches.
Be flexible if you're booking last minute. Our spontaneous trip worked for us, but last-minute availability, prices, flights, and cabin choices vary. If you have a specific ship or itinerary in mind, booking earlier may give you more options.
Think about what you want from the holiday. A cruise can offer time together and a change of pace, but it won't necessarily recreate your family's usual Thanksgiving traditions. Decide whether that's a welcome change before booking.
So, Would We Cruise for Thanksgiving Again?
Absolutely.
We've enjoyed Thanksgiving cruising as a large extended family and as a couple, and both experiences gave us good reasons to do it again.
With a large group, it's an opportunity to bring everyone together without putting the entire holiday on one household. As a couple—or potentially as a solo traveler—it can be a chance to use available time off for a getaway when traditional family plans aren't happening.
Neither experience has to replace the way you normally celebrate Thanksgiving. It can simply be another way to spend the holiday.
Maybe Next Thanksgiving Could Look Different
If you're dreaming of bringing the whole family together, now is a good time to start talking about next year's possibilities. If you're looking for a getaway this Thanksgiving, there may still be time to find a sailing that works for you.
A cruise doesn't have to replace your family traditions, and it doesn't have to be a big group trip to be worthwhile. It can simply be another way to enjoy the holiday, spend time with the people you love, or take a little time for yourself.
So whether you're planning a year ahead or checking cabins at the last minute, keep the idea on the table. Your next Thanksgiving might look a little different—and that could be a very good thing.