Who says Thanksgiving dinner has to be at someone’s home? Or even in the house? If you and your family are still hesitating about which distant relative to visit, mention the possibility that your Thanksgiving celebration doesn’t have to take place on land. An alternative and totally worthwhile way to celebrate the holidays with family, friends and good food is on a boat – a really, really big boat. Next month, American Cruise Lines is hosting a special Thanksgiving cruise.
The cruise will depart on November 17 and return on November 24, welcoming guests to "enjoy the ship's festive décor and festive-style cocktail hours while reveling in the festive spirit of each community we visit along the way" Our Cuisine The team prepares a traditional Thanksgiving meal for you, including roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing, and every detail is taken care of to make your holiday a relaxing and unforgettable one. "While you're on board, you can expect everything you need for a typical Thanksgiving (turkey dinner, etc.) plus the experience of a lifetime, visiting parts of the United States you may not have been to before.
Plus, you can feel good about getting out of town on vacation; American Cruise Lines plans to continue its annual Give Back program this holiday season. For every Thanksgiving cruise ticket sold, American Cruise Lines will donate to food banks. Last year they raised over $13,000!
The Thanksgiving cruise is part of American Cruise Lines' historic Southern and Golden Isles cruise program. This week-long domestic adventure begins in Jacksonville, Florida, and stops at ports along the Southeast Coast. You may think you've seen it all in Florida (looking at you, Disney heads), but let me tell you from experience, Amelia Island and Jekyll Island might just be two of the most beautiful beach towns in the country, While you're on your journey, you'll get a close look at them and many other areas. .
Since Thanksgiving is just one of the days you spend on the boat, there are plenty of other turkey-free activities on your itinerary. In Beaufort, you can take a guided horse-drawn carriage ride through the city once known as the "New Port of the South." At Amelia Island, you can bask in the splendor of Florida's third-oldest city; take a riverboat tour of Fernandina Beach; admire the unique marine life that inhabits its waters; visit Fort Clinch and Amelia Island Lea Island Lighthouse; on Jekyll Island, you can visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to learn about the conservation and restoration efforts that keep sea turtles thriving. Finally, board a Dolphin Discovery Cruise and watch dolphins ride alongside the ship or surf on the stern.
For many people, the most exciting aspect of Thanksgiving (aside from pumpkin pie) is that it marks the official start of the holiday season. However, if you want to take your vacation early, consider the Thanksgiving holiday. Alternatively, you can take a Christmas or New Year's cruise.