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The 8 Best Thanksgiving Getaway Cruise Destinations

The 8 best Thanksgiving Getaway Cruise Destinations

  1. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
  2. Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
  3. Nassau, The Bahamas
  4. Princess Cays, The Bahamas
  5. Cozumel, Mexico
  6. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  7. King’s Wharf, Bermuda
  8. The Carnival Ship

While it is traditional for many people to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at home with family or visiting relatives, there are plenty of other excellent and exciting alternatives. For example, if you’re looking for something exciting this holiday season, consider a Thanksgiving getaway cruise!

A Caribbean cruise is a great way to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones, family and friends. You’ll not only be able to relax, enjoy holiday festivities and indulge in great activities, but you’ll also have everything taken care of for you, including the Thanksgiving feast!

Consider these places to visit for during your next vacation and you’ll quickly see why a Caribbean cruise could be one of the best Thanksgiving vacations!

couple dancing on a carnival ship deck as they enjoy their thanksgiving vacation

1. Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Enjoying some time on the serene beaches of Grand Turk will really help you relax and make the Thanksgiving holiday with family extra special.

Grand Turk also offers great opportunities for shopping where you’ll be able to get a wide range of unique gifts and designer goods for family and friends for Christmas. There are likely to be plenty of Black Friday specials to take advantage of, and many restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners!

Instead of having to work in the kitchen all day to prepare a meal, you can partake of the many activities available, such as walking along the beach, snorkeling, golfing, and more!

tourists enjoying the beautiful beach of grand turk next to a ship wreck

2. Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

While Thanksgiving is not a Dominican holiday, it is still celebrated in Amber Cove. Many of the restaurants offer special menus on or around the holiday, and the local shops also offer many deals so you can purchase some fabulous finds for inexpensive amounts.

Of course, the beautiful weather, the gorgeous beaches and the many festivities and activities to be found in Amber Cove also make visiting this Thanksgiving destination truly unique and memorable.

little girl sliding down a water slide in amber cove

3. Nassau, The Bahamas

Another great stop on your Thanksgiving getaway is Nassau. What could be better than making The Bahamas one of the places to visit for Thanksgiving? This relaxing paradise offers an endless amount of fun activities, a beautiful city to walk around in, and plenty of holiday memories to be made with your loved ones!

aerial view of the atlantis resort in nassau bahamas

4. Princess Cays, The Bahamas

Princess Cays is another beautiful beachfront area that offers a multitude of opportunities for relaxation or fun excursions. This Thanksgiving destination offers a great place to truly unwind and enjoy yourselves. Spend the day basking in the sun, go snorkeling, enjoy a coastal cruise, or go exploring.

rustic wooden pier along the beautiful beach of princess cays, bahamas

5. Cozumel, Mexico

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Cozumel is a wonderful experience. The residents here also celebrate Thanksgiving and will likely be full of festive cheer and friendliness during the holiday season. Many of the restaurants offer a special menu of tasty fare–Thanksgiving meals with a bit of Mexican flair!

You’ll also get a chance to shop for unique items and gifts, not to mention plenty of local tequila brands.

And, of course, there are plenty of fun-filled excursions, such as scuba diving, coastal cruising, and even swimming with the dolphins, which is a truly memorable way to spend a Thanksgiving getaway for families.

man snorkeling along the mystic mayan river in cozumel, mexico

6. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Another one of the most beautiful places to visit for Thanksgiving, Cabo San Lucas offers amazing scenery, friendly people, prime shopping areas, and delicious food at the many restaurants and eateries that will undoubtedly be serving up special holiday fare.

Stopping at Cabo San Lucas and enjoying the many shore excursions as part of your Thanksgiving weekend getaway is an opportunity not to be missed–many of the residents and restaurants celebrate Thanksgiving with a Mexican and Caribbean twist, making for a great cultural holiday experience.

couple walking along the gorgeous beach of cabo san lucas as the sun sets

7. King’s Wharf, Bermuda

The weather in Bermuda during Thanksgiving is quite pleasant, and the King’s Wharf area is a very popular tourist spot. Featuring sandy beaches, dockside bars and eateries, eclectic shops, and lots of remarkable scenery to serve as backdrops for your family photos.

Some of the fun shore excursions you can enjoy with your family include visiting an aquarium and caves, snorkeling, and taking a scenic bike ride.

wooden bridge crossing over the lush landscape of bermuda, towards the beach

8. The Carnival Ship

A Thanksgiving getaway onboard a Carnival is a special treat. Everything is taken care of for you, all you have to do is relax with your friends and family and get ready for a traditional holiday feast. In the days before and after your Thanksgiving meal, there will also be plenty of onboard Thanksgiving-themed activities to keep you entertained.

Test your knowledge with some Thanksgiving trivia, enjoy a Thanksgiving duck hunt, or watch the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade on one of the big screen televisions in the many bars located around the ship.

No need to worry about missing any holiday traditions at home, you’ll be creating new Thanksgiving holiday traditions with your family and loved ones on the cruise ship!

waiter serving a plate of delicious thankgiving food to a carnival guest

So enjoy one of the best Thanksgiving vacations the Caribbean way, and you’ll likely want to make a Caribbean cruise a yearly tradition. It’s a great way to share this fabulous adventure with the people you love at this special time of year, as well as get a chance to visit a range of exotic destinations and escape the cold and hustle and bustle of holiday planning.

Whether you plan on visiting Mexico, The Bahamas or other areas of the Caribbean, you’ll find plenty to do and see, and great Thanksgiving feasts to partake of. So what are you waiting for? Make your Thanksgiving weekend getaway plans today!

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.