Holiday Cruise Groups
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and spring break at sea — together.
Get Holiday Group Cruise QuotesThis Year, Let the Ship Host the Holidays
Every family has one: the person who hosts every holiday, cooks for twenty and spends the day in the kitchen. A holiday cruise gives them the year off. Holiday Cruise Groups is a guide to planning Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter and spring break sailings with family and friends — when to book, what to expect on board and how to keep a group of cabins organized.
Holiday cruises are not the cheapest weeks of the year, and they are not the quietest. They are, however, some of the most memorable. Grandparents, cousins and old friends wake up somewhere warm, share a long dinner without anyone washing up, and still have room to go their own way during the day.
Thanksgiving Cruises
A long weekend or a full week at sea, with a traditional dinner many ships still serve.
Christmas Cruises
Festive ships, family time and how to make Christmas feel like Christmas at sea.
New Year’s Eve Cruises
Counting down at sea, and keeping a mixed-age group happy on the biggest party night.
Easter & Spring Break
School-break sailings for families and groups of friends, and how Easter dates move.
Pricing & Booking Early
Why holiday fares behave differently, and when to book.
Coordinating Group Cabins
Keeping a holiday group close together, on budget and on schedule.
Holiday Sailings at a Glance
| Holiday | Who usually sails | Plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Extended families and friends from U.S. homeports | A popular week; book early for groups |
| Christmas | Multi-generation families, couples escaping the routine | Among the most in-demand weeks of the year |
| New Year’s Eve | Friends, couples and families | Often the highest fares of the season |
| Easter | Families and church or community groups | Dates move each year — check before you plan |
| Spring break | Families with school-age children; college friends | Different school districts break in different weeks |
Getting Everyone to Agree
- Pick the holiday — and whether you will sail over the day itself or the week after.
- Pick a homeport most of the group can drive to; holiday flights are expensive and crowded.
- Set a budget range so every household can choose a cabin it is comfortable with.
- Choose a decision-maker who holds the cabins and talks to the advisor.
- Agree a deadline for everyone to commit, well before the cabins are released.
Planning a family reunion rather than a holiday trip? Our sister site Cruising Reunions covers reunions at sea. Sailing with young children? Cruises for Children explains kids’ clubs and family cabins.
Why Holiday Groups Use an Advisor
Holiday groups move fast and fill early. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can hold several cabins near one another while relatives decide, keep track of every household’s deposit and payment, request shared dining and help plan a group dinner or celebration on the day itself. One phone call or email reaches someone who knows your whole group.
Holiday Cruise Groups is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Holiday Group Cruise Questions
Why take a holiday cruise as a group?
Because nobody has to host. The ship handles the cooking, the cleaning and the entertainment, everyone gets their own cabin, and the family or friends who rarely see each other get several days together instead of one crowded dinner.
How early should we book a holiday group cruise?
As early as you can — often a year or more ahead for Christmas and New Year’s. Holiday sailings are among the first to fill, especially the cabins families and groups need.
Are holiday cruises more expensive?
Usually, yes. Festive weeks and school breaks are in high demand, so fares are generally higher than in quieter weeks. Booking early gives you the widest choice of prices and cabins.
Will the ship celebrate the holiday?
Most ships mark the major holidays with decorations, special menus and events, and New Year’s Eve is usually a big party. The details vary by line and ship, so ask what is planned on your sailing.
Plan a Holiday at Sea Together
Tell us which holiday, how many households and roughly where everyone lives. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest sailings and hold cabins close together.
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