Thanksgiving cruises from Florida are the perfect antidote to the demands of feeding, housing, and entertaining family members during the holiday. On one of our cruise ships, embark on an unforgettable Thanksgiving cruise vacation to some of the Caribbean’s most coveted destinations.
Savor a hassle-free Thanksgiving dining experience onboard your Celebrity ship featuring a classic turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Watch the big game at the casino bar and join in family-friendly themed game shows.
Aside from the feast, you’ll lounge on pristine beaches, experience fascinating marine life, and go on thrilling shore excursions during your cruise vacation. Here are some of the best Thanksgiving cruises from Florida.
1: San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas & Puerto Plata From Fort Lauderdale
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Set sail on a week-long adventure from Florida to some of the most exciting ports in the Caribbean. In San Juan, you could head out into the lush countryside to explore forested mountains, cool caves, and white sand beaches. If you want to snorkel, there are great opportunities from the beaches of San Juan itself.
One of the best things to do in San Juan is to wander around the atmospheric Old Town, a riot of brightly colored facades, music, great shopping, and street food.
The city is overlooked by two imposing forts, San Cristobal and San Felipe del Morro. Complete with dungeons and cannons, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the island’s history.
Grand Case Beach, St. Maarten
St. Maarten, divided between the Netherlands and France, is compact and easy to explore. In the space of a day, you could be sampling flaky croissants at a French bakery in Marigot, on the French side, or admiring Dutch colonial architecture in Philipsburg, where your ship will be docked.
There’s no end of fun in the sun here, from learning to sail a racing yacht to standing in the warm shallows on Maho Beach and cheering as enormous jets roar overhead on their final approach into the airport.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands has even more diverse cultural influences, from Danish to French, Spanish, and West African. Charlotte Amalie, the capital, is great to explore on a culinary tour, with a chance to sample curry with roti, sweet plantains, and rum punch.
Head to Magens Bay for a blissful beach day, or take to the waters off Buck Island with a mask and snorkel to marvel at vibrant corals and dazzling tropical fish.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
On this Thanksgiving cruise from Florida, you’ll spend the holiday in Puerto Plata, one of the liveliest towns of the Dominican Republic and the gateway to adventure.
Slide down natural rock chutes into cool rock pools at the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, or paddle a kayak through a manatee reserve to spot these gentle creatures. In town, admire grand Victorian architecture and snap a selfie at colorful Umbrella Street before heading back to the ship for holiday celebrations.
2: Southern Caribbean From Fort Lauderdale
St. Lucia
You’ll be able to unwind completely on this leisurely holiday getaway from Fort Lauderdale to the Southern Caribbean, visiting St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Tobago, Grenada, and Antigua.
Better still, there are two days at sea at either end of the itinerary, so you’ll have plenty of time to relax by the onboard pool under the tropical sunshine.
Beach in St. Maarten
Philipsburg, St. Maarten, is where you’ll spend Thanksgiving on this itinerary. Enjoy a lazy beach day, or stroll along Front Street browsing the duty-free shops. Take a trip to the French side of the island for gourmet French-Caribbean fusion cuisine, or relax on gorgeous Orient Beach.
In beautiful St. Lucia, browse the vibrant Castries Central Market for crafts and spices to take home, or join a cruise to Marigot Bay, regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.
If you’re up for a challenge, join a hike to the top of Grand Piton, the bigger of the island’s distinctive volcanic peaks, for breathtaking views across the island and the blue Caribbean.
Scarborough, Tobago
Lush Tobago, the little sister of vibrant Trinidad, is one of the best places in the Caribbean for rainforest and coastal hikes, waterfalls, birdwatching, and snorkeling. The capital, Scarborough, is also famed for its bountiful food market.
Grenada is another perfect spot for nature lovers. Wander through fragrant botanical gardens, or trek through the rainforest to Bamboo Waterfall and cool off in a sun-dappled pool. Join a tour to learn how the island’s chocolate is made, or take a cooking class for a glimpse into why Grenada is known as “Spice Island”.
Antigua
Antigua, your final stop, has an astonishing 365 beaches, fringed by cliffs, mangroves, rainforest, and coral reefs. Swim, snorkel, dive, kayak, hike, paddle board, or zipline in this adventure paradise.
One of the best things to do in Antigua is to visit Nelson’s Dockyard, the former base of the British navy, now immaculately restored and a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century Antigua.
3: ABC Islands From Fort Lauderdale
Bonaire
Head south on Celebrity Equinox for a nine-night Thanksgiving cruise from Florida to Grand Cayman and the ABC Islands.
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is your first port of call. Start your Caribbean adventure with a visit to Stingray City, a shallow sandbar where you can feed docile stingrays by hand.
Wander along the coves and white sands of Seven Mile Beach, explore the shops and restaurants of George Town, or snorkel over the shallow wreck of the USS Kittiwake, now colonized by vibrant marine life.
Aruba
You’ll notice the colonial Dutch influence as soon as you arrive in Aruba, where gabled townhouses in cotton candy colors line the busy waterfront.
Aruba’s beaches are spectacular, dazzling white, lapped by sea the shade of shimmering turquoise. Snorkel or dive over shipwrecks, or head out to sea on a catamaran for a day of sailing, barbecue lunch, and rum punch.
Bonaire
Sleepy Bonaire, also part of the Dutch Antilles, is best known for its superb diving. The whole island is surrounded by a marine park, so this is the place to take to the water to look for parrot fish, lobster, sea turtles, and moray eels.
You’ll also find intriguing Dutch-Caribbean fusion cuisine in Kralendijk, from yambo, a kind of gumbo stew, to frikandel, a Dutch sausage served with mayo and ketchup.
Willemstad, Curaçao
In enchanting Curaçao, your final port of call, admire the old gabled houses in vibrant Caribbean colors of bright orange, yellow, turquoise, and pink. Wander past the colonial architecture along the waterfront and tour 17th-century Fort Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Floating Market is a fascinating glimpse into local culture, where vendors from nearby Venezuela come on boats every day to sell fruit, vegetables, and seafood. The 19th-century Landhuis Chobolobo, meanwhile, is where you’ll discover the famous Blue Curaçao liqueur.
4: Western Caribbean From Fort Lauderdale
Sunset Bar
Only have the long weekend free to celebrate Thanksgiving? This four-night getaway is your chance to be one of the first to experience the brand-new Celebrity Ascent, with a blissful day at sea to enjoy the holiday.
Relax by the pool, absorb endless views from the Magic Carpet, or relax in the Sunset Bar, which has a chic, beach club vibe.
Snorkeling in Cozumel
You’ll have a whole day to enjoy Cozumel, the perfect spot for diving and snorkeling over dazzling reefs or fishing for big game.
Go shopping in Cozumel for Mexican crafts, including jewelry made from silver and amber, or take a day trip to the iconic Mayan city of Tulum, gazing out over the turquoise sea from the midst of the ruins.
5: Aruba, Curaçao & Grand Cayman From Fort Lauderdale
Eagle Beach, Aruba
Shake off the winter blues with a delightful Thanksgiving cruise from Florida that visits the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curaçao, as well as Grand Cayman and Falmouth in Jamaica.
Magic Carpet
You’ll also have four days at sea to enjoy the wonderful amenities of Celebrity Beyond, including the magnificent spa, the sparkling pool, and the Magic Carpet, a luxurious lounge and restaurant cantilevered over the side of the ship with uninterrupted sea views.
Thanksgiving falls on one of these sea days, giving you a whole day to relax and explore the ship with your loved ones.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park, Grand Cayman
The adventures ashore start in Grand Cayman, where you can unwind on Seven Mile Beach, or explore the many shops and restaurants of George Town.
One of the best things to do in Grand Cayman is to feed the stingrays at Stingray City. Or, wander through the Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Park to admire the tropical foliage and see the conservation efforts to protect the blue iguana.
On Aruba, explore the almost desert-like interior by ATV, visit an ostrich farm, and discover the miraculous healing properties of aloe vera, which grows all over the island. For that famous shot of the twisted fofoti trees against the cyan sea, head for Eagle Beach.
Knip Beach, Curaçao
Curaçao is packed with history and color, from the brilliant hues of the gabled houses along the waterfront to solid Fort Amsterdam, a citadel that once housed the entire population of Willemstad.
There’s no shortage of beaches in Curaçao; try Mambo Beach for a livelier scene and Grote Knip Beach for a more peaceful ambiance.
Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Falmouth, Jamaica is your final port of call, the sound of reggae on the breeze. Explore the underwater caverns at the Blue Hole, one of the best places to visit in Jamaica, or join a leisurely tubing expedition along the White River.
Climbing the 600-foot cascades of Dunn’s River Falls is something every visitor to Jamaica should try (and a great way to cool off on a hot day). History lovers will enjoy the 18th-century Greenwood Estate, as well as the landmarks and 100-year-old church of Montego Bay.
6: Nassau & Bimini From Tampa
Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas
The blissful Bahamas beaches of Nassau and Bimini make for the perfect six-day cruise from Tampa over Thanksgiving.
The bustling seaport of Nassau, Bahamas is the cultural center of the country and a great city for boutique shopping, museums, and dining. Jump on a quick ferry to the Blue Lagoon for an exclusive, uncrowded beach experience.
Pick up some handwoven bags, hats, and other artisan gifts at the Nassau Straw Market. Go snorkeling in Nassau just offshore to observe sea turtles in their natural habitat. Close out your adventure with live music and a margarita on Bay Street, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Atlantis resort.
Bimini, Bahamas
Laid-back Bimini is a complete contrast. While away your day in a private beachfront cabana and swim off white sand beaches. Join a seagoing adventure to snorkel among reef sharks. If you love to eat conch, head out to sea with a guide to see how it’s harvested.
For a spot of local color, head out on a walking tour with local historian Ashley Saunders, who built the enchanting Dolphin House himself, made entirely of shells, sea glass, coral and other recycled ocean resources.
7: Bimini, Grand Cayman, & Mexico From Fort Lauderdale
Grand Cayman
A six-night Thanksgiving cruise from Florida aboard Celebrity Reflection is sure to wow your entire family.
On Grand Cayman, wander along Seven Mile Beach, admiring its white and coral sand beach and sparkling blue waters. Parasail, surf, walk the length of the beach, or simply watch the waves roll in.
Shop for luxury items at duty-free shops, and take a quick trip to Hell, a geological site filled with black spiky limestone formations, before heading back to your ship.
Cozumel, Mexico
On Cozumel, eco-parks, jeep tours, ziplining, and ATV rides vie with surfing, jet-skiing, and parasailing for active adventures. Take a boat ride to El Cielo off Cozumel’s shore to meet starfish and stingrays, and snorkel or swim in the crystalline water of the Caribbean.
Bimini, meanwhile, is the more tranquil face of the Bahamas, its white sand beaches giving way to aquamarine waters and teeming reefs where you can snorkel among shoals of fish in dazzling colors, or Caribbean reef sharks further out.
8: Bahamas & Mexico From Miami
Pearl Island, The Bahamas
Enjoy a seven-night sailing to some of the dreamiest locations in the Caribbean. Departing from Miami, this five-night sailing features two luxurious days at sea and two ports of call.
Spend your day relaxing on one of Nassau’s best beaches. Snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts can venture out to one of the island’s coral reefs and discover an underwater world full of colorful species.
Go shopping at the famous Nassau Straw Market, where you’ll find all kinds of local and handmade items that make for perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
Tulum, near Cozumel
In Cozumel, you can dive around vibrant coral reefs, go shopping in the town of San Miguel, or venture further out to the ruins of Tulum. At this Mayan citadel, marvel at ancient structures set against the backdrop of the ocean.
Before arriving back in Miami, you’ll spend another day at sea, where you’ll have time to explore more of the ship’s luxurious amenities. Enjoy a relaxing spa visit or a workout, lounge on the sundeck, or indulge in the world-class cuisine options on board.
Celebrity Apex
Ready to book one of Celebrity’s Thanksgiving cruises that the whole family will enjoy? Browse our cruises and choose the perfect unforgettable itinerary for your next vacation.
