Best Thanksgiving Cruises For Families
Celebrate Thanksgiving With No Cooking or Cleanup Required.
By Emily Iris Degn | Published on September 17, 2025
Imagine a Thanksgiving without hours of cooking and lengthy cleanup. Now imagine that it’s at sea, filled with jaw-dropping views and fantastic food you didn’t have to make yourself. And all the while, you and your family are spending quality time together as you enjoy award-winning activities, entertainment and more. That’s a Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise.
I’m an ex-chef — I love cooking, and I’m a big fan of playing host. Thanksgiving is right in my wheelhouse. However, I don’t love the cleanup that comes afterwards, the bickering that can break out among extended family members or the emphasis being placed on Black Friday shopping that robs the holiday of its laid-back, wholesome nature. In other words, Thanksgiving can feel rushed, come with drama or just fall flat.
Thanksgiving on a cruise isn’t like that. You can slow down on the ocean, skip the cleanup and focus on those who matter most, all amidst the context of gorgeous destinations.
If you’re dreaming of a festive holiday at sea, you’re in for a treat. Royal Caribbean’s November cruise itineraries include some of the best places to vacation for Thanksgiving in the entire world, from ruin-studded Mexico to the sunny Caribbean. Read on for some Thanksgiving vacation ideas to get the ball rolling — but first, let’s dig into the festive perks.
Why You’ll Gobble Up Thanksgiving On A Cruise
Whether you like to kick back with a cocktail and watch the sea roll by or race with your family down waterslides, the Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise lineup has something for everyone. Savor hot tub dips and putting your feet up or port-hopping through the sunny destinations of your dreams. These unique ways to celebrate Thanksgiving offer adventure and memories that’ll last, and they don’t come with a to-do list.
Here’s why the best family vacations over Thanksgiving are had aboard a cruise:
Relaxed Holiday Vibes
Luxury is the name of the game aboard a Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise. The comfortable rooms have plenty of space for everyone, from couples seeking respite from holiday madness to big families celebrating Thanksgiving on a cruise for the first time. As someone who grew up in a family of seven, believe me, having ample space is absolutely key in being able to relax. Having to split a patch of carpet with multiple siblings just isn’t it. Paired with the ocean views and the fact that you don’t need to cook or handle hosting duties, taking a cruise for Thanksgiving is relaxation at its finest.
There are also just so many incredible corners of the ship where you can likewise kick back. Grab a cocktail and lounge at one of the pools. Or, take in the sweeping artistry of the AquaTheater acrobats. You can even dial the chill up at the spa, where you can book a massage or treat yourself to holistic remedies. My advice is to have a slow morning at the pool before taking a steam. Then take some coffee to a quiet place where you can watch the endless views of blue roll by.
Family Festiveness
Families, in particular, could really benefit from having Thanksgiving on a cruise. The very setup encourages togetherness, making for quality time as a group. There are so many places around the ship to hang out with your loved ones and make memories. Race each other down waterslides, see an unforgettable show with everyone and splash around the pool. You can spend dedicated time together on a family cruise, and it doesn’t have to be interrupted by the people you’re hosting, cleanup or cooking duties, bad weather or anything else that lies outside of the magic bubble of cruise life. For this reason, I think the best family vacations over Thanksgiving are cruise-side.
Something New
It’s fun to shake things up every so often for the holidays rather than doing the same thing every year. Traveling in general over Thanksgiving promises tropical weather rather than snow and cold rain, new twists on your favorite holiday dishes, adventure and fresh views. And cruises top the list of unique ways to celebrate Thanksgiving for the added elements of hospitality, catered experiences and entertainment. It’s not turkey at your relative’s table, but it’s exciting and new — plus, if you are still craving that turkey, Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise ships serve that too.
Savor At Sea
If you’re worried about missing out on your favorite holiday staples — don’t. You’ll find treats like oven-roasted turkey and pecan pie on Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise menus. But, instead of making them yourself, they’re served to you as you watch the sparkling sea outside your window.
Growing up, I watched my mother spend the day before and on Thanksgiving baking for the holiday supper. And, as an adult, I, too, spend countless hours prepping the food for Thanksgiving with my partner. Again, I love to cook, but sometimes, it’s a lot, especially when you just want to celebrate. The idea of enjoying a feast without needing to lift a finger is something that could intrigue even the most enthusiastic of Thanksgiving meal preppers.
I also just want to note how outstanding it is that if you want something different, you don’t have to eat traditional Thanksgiving fare on a cruise. You can sample Italian, sushi and other bites around the ship if you’d rather try out something new. It can be hard to break tradition at home, especially if you’re hosting and think you’ll have an uprising on your hands if you forgo the turkey — as a former vegan of seven years, I can attest to the struggle of presenting a turkey-free Thanksgiving meal that won’t result in utter outrage.
But diets aside, your holiday feast is your own. My partner and I serve local Pacific Northwest crab legs, boiled eggs, smoked salmon, Nordic chowder, pickled cucumbers and other non-traditional treats for our celebrations. Taking a Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise can look just as unique, but without the hassle, cooking time, cleanup or outbursts from shocked guests. Order the sushi or the turkey — it’s completely up to you.
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Turkey With A View: Cruising The Best Places To Vacation For Thanksgiving
With holiday itineraries stretching from Florida to The Bahamas to Mexico, your Thanksgiving cruise can be whatever you want it to be, whether that’s a ruin-hopping afternoon in Central America or a beach club holiday in the Caribbean. I love how diverse Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise destinations are, reflecting the guests who book them.
If you’re unsure of where to start, here are five Thanksgiving vacation ideas to chew on:
1. Nassau, The Bahamas
Nassau is one of the best places to vacation for Thanksgiving due to the plentiful markets for securing artisan goods, impeccable beaches and historic forts that are prime for exploring. You can spend the day museum-hopping and feasting on rum-soaked desserts.
On the actual holiday, the Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise docks in Perfect Day at CocoCay. Here, you can challenge your kids to dance competitions, relax with your significant other down the Lazy River and enjoy a beachside feast.
2. Cozumel, Mexico
If you’re asking yourself where to go for Thanksgiving vacation, this is it. Spend Thanksgiving amongst Cozumel’s ancient Mayan settlements, or snorkel amongst the kaleidoscopic reefs of Chankanaab National Park. As an outdoorsperson, adventure traveler and nature fiend, this is definitely my pick for the ultimate Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise. And, in 2026, you can add Royal Beach Club Cozumel to the repertoire!
3. Labadee, Haiti
Out of all of the unique ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, a Haitian holiday might just be among the most enriching. Check out the live performances locals put on, head out on the water via kayak or try your hand at ziplining. And, after all of the outdoor fun, cultural immersion and artisan market shopping, you can enjoy a true specialty of Haiti: grilled seafood. That’s a perfect Thanksgiving meal in my book.
4. Mazatlán, Mexico
If you love history and dream of sailing through the most glittery, turquoise water you’ve ever seen, Mazatlán could top your list of the best places to vacation for Thanksgiving. On this western stretch of Mexico’s coastline, you can take in both ocean and mountain views, all while having access to resort towns, colonial streets, white-sand beaches and buccaneer heritage. Among the many Thanksgiving vacation ideas, this one is great for all cruisers, from guests seeking respite to adrenaline chasers wanting the rush of surf.
5. Falmouth, Jamaica
Falmouth is one of the best family vacation spots, as it offers something for every age group. Teens will love the opportunities to have high tea at estates, while younger kids will jump at the chance to dance to reggae tunes. Imagine riding horses on the beach with your loved ones before sitting down to a Thanksgiving meal consisting of jerk-spiced meats and rum cake. Even the best family vacations over Thanksgiving might have a hard time competing with that.
Skip The Stove And Set Sail: Planning A Thanksgiving Cruise
Before you take your own Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruise, here are a few things to keep in mind during the cruise planning process:
- ● Consider what kind of weather, climate and landscapes you want to enjoy over the holiday.
- ● Ask yourself if you’d rather spend Thanksgiving on a sea day or in port.
- ● Determine how long you want your cruise to be.
- ● Pack anything festive you might need, such as supplies to carry out your Thanksgiving traditions.
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