You could stay home with a pile of dishes this Thanksgiving. Or, you could ditch all the stress and set sail on a sunny cruise instead, frozen drink in hand, without sacrificing your turkey dinner. (We vote for the cruise, naturally.) So if you need to get away — like, right now — here are seven last-minute sailings, from the Bahamas to Baja Mexico, that will keep your holiday hassle-free.
10-Night Panama Canal on Caribbean Princess
Departs: Nov. 20
From: Ft. Lauderdale
Price: $599 per person for an interior cabin
This bucket-list itinerary is one for the books, and includes stops in Costa Rica as well as Grand Cayman, and Cartagena, Colombia. Thanksgiving falls on a sea day, when you can showcase your best gobble at the ship’s turkey calling contest or watch the night’s football games on the big screen at the pool. The best part? The ship’s festive autumn décor features a towering Tree of Thanks in the atrium, where you can tuck a message into the branches.
4-Night Baja Mexico on Carnival Inspiration
Departs: Nov. 20
From: Long Beach (Los Angeles)
Price: $379 per person for an interior cabin
West Coasters can easily set sail on this cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, and have Thursday at sea to explore the ship’s many activities, including a water park with twisting slides, a Hasbro Game Show, and a rum bar. All your Thanksgiving traditions are covered: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast, and there will be a Thanksgiving duck hunt, a trivia game, and a dinner complete with all the fixings (roasted turkey with gravy, yams, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie).
4-Night Bahamas on Norwegian Sky
Departs: Nov. 20
From: Miami
Price: $399 per person for an ocean view cabin, or $159 the following week
Not only is this sailing under $100 per person per day, but it also includes a free open bar and a $100 holiday bonus in the form of onboard credit. Give thanks for the sunny rays you’ll soak up in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Great Stirrup Cay along the way.
8-Night Pacific Northwest on American Empress
Departs: Nov. 19
From: Vancouver, WA (Portland)
Price: On sale from $1,499 per person (down from the usual $2,699)
Celebrate the All-American holiday on an All-American cruise line, American Queen Steamboat Company, on this special wine-making cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers that features onboard tastings and pairings. You’ll stop in the land of Lewis and Clark, Astoria, and the end of the Oregon Trail, The Dalles, with included excursions in each port. On Thanksgiving Day, you’ll cruise through the Columbia River Gorge and feast on a traditional turkey dinner.
3-Night Bahamas on Disney Dream
Departs: Nov. 23
From: Port Canaveral
Price: $2,060 per person for an ocean view or $2,192 per person for a Verandah
Cruising with Mickey doesn’t come cheap, but the value is unmatched: you’ll find no better cruise line for families, especially on a “Very Merrytime” sailing where halls are decked in festive decorations and holiday programming makes the season bright. You’ll set sail on Turkey Day for Mickey’s private island, Castaway Cay, and sun on the beach before meeting your favorite characters on board.
10-Night Southern Caribbean on Celebrity Reflection
Departs: Nov. 17
From: Ft. Lauderdale
Price: $714 per person for an interior
Ringing in at just $71 per day, this is a deal for a Celebrity cruise. Have a picnic on the ship’s top-deck lawn (it’s made from real grass!), take a dip in the indoor Solarium, or soak up the sun at your port stops in Basseterre, Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, and Antigua.
7-Night Cuba Cruise on Viking Sun
Departs: Nov. 17
From: Miami
Price: $2,649 per person for a balcony
Yes, there will be Thanksgiving dinner but what you’ll really be grateful for is the blissful hangout spots on board (this is one of Viking Ocean’s newest vessels and one of our favorite at sea) including an infinity pool and traditional Scandinavian spa, plus a serene space for daily afternoon tea. The fare includes free excursions, Wifi, and beer and wine with meals. And, bonus, it's to one of the hottest destinations at sea, Cuba, with three nights in Cienfuegos.
