Thanksgiving is coming…….what happens onboard?

What is Thanksgiving exactly?  Thanks to my friend Google its this – an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1621, and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November!!

Thanksgiving is not something that the UK really celebrates but given the number of families cruising over holidays, cruise lines have made special provisions for everyone of every age on board during the holiday season. Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. On several American Cruise Lines , Over Thanksgiving, you’ll find roast turkey, along with such trimmings as stuffing and cranberry sauce.  Thanksgiving this year is on the 22nd November.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE:

CARNIVAL CRUISES:

A Carnival Thanksgiving: During our Thanksgiving cruises, guests can expect the traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared by our world-class chefs – with all of the trimmings you would find at home, including the pumpkin pie, a personal favorite of mine. We also have extra special activities and games revolving around the holidays that focus on families and all age groups. And even though the majority of our Carnival team members represent an international mix, we have special Thanksgiving festivities for the crew as well. Including a holiday meal and a special get together so that we all can reflect on what we are thankful for this year.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN: 

At the heart of every Thanksgiving is a turkey. Its significance can be traced back to the ‘The First Thanksgiving’ meal in 1621, between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, which featured a turkey. In honour of this, before the day itself, the American President takes part in an unusual ceremony whereby one or two live turkeys are presented to be spared from the dinner table. Last year, Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys named Mac and Cheese!

At the same time, families ready their turkey for the Thanksgiving Day meal, which is an integral part of any celebration. As well as the turkey, the Thanksgiving meal includes cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, corn bread and much more. For dessert, expect pies of all kinds – pumpkin, pecan, apple and chocolate cream.  

Thanksgiving is something I don’t know a huge about , but it certainly seems something of a celebration in the USA and its clear from just some of the above cruise lines that being on a cruise at this time guarantees you wont miss out on the festivities!

Have you ever been on a ship during Thanksgiving , let me know all about it , call me on 0330 303 8207 , or email me on [email protected] or keep up with the latest news and offers on my facebook page by clicking here and liking me!!   I’m sure if you want to experience this I can still get you onboard one of the cruiselines, let me know and i’ll try my best!

Haydn