Christian Cruises
Fellowship, worship and rest, with the open sea all around.
Get Christian Cruise QuotesChristian Cruises: Fellowship, Worship and Rest at Sea
Christian cruises bring believers together on a ship for days of fellowship, worship and rest, with the ocean and the ports as the backdrop. For many travelers they are the easiest way to take a real vacation without leaving faith at home.
Group Cruise Sales is written for the Christian traveler: the church member deciding whether to join the congregation’s trip, the couple looking for a faith-friendly vacation, the retired believer who wants a gentle pace and good company. We explain what Christian cruises are, give an honest answer about Christian cruise lines, walk through church cruises from the member’s side, and cover Christian cruises for seniors and Christian cruises to Alaska, one of the most loved itineraries for faith groups.
Three Kinds of Christian Cruise
A full-ship charter
An organizer charters an entire ship and fills it with a Christian program: concerts, speakers, worship and teaching. Every guest is part of the event, so the atmosphere is consistent from deck to dining room.
A hosted ministry group
A pastor, ministry or Christian travel host takes a group of cabins on a regular sailing and adds devotions, Bible study and fellowship in reserved rooms. Other passengers are aboard too.
A church cruise
A congregation, Sunday school class or small group books together. Members share a group rate, gather for worship on a sea day and enjoy ports side by side.
Each has a different feel and price structure. Charters offer the strongest Christian atmosphere; hosted groups and church cruises offer more choice of ship, date and budget.
What a Day on a Christian Cruise Can Look Like
- Morning: devotions or a short Bible study in a reserved lounge, then breakfast with the group.
- Midday: a port day ashore or quiet time on deck on a sea day.
- Afternoon: free time; some groups add a prayer gathering or a hymn sing.
- Evening: dinner together, then a worship service, a concert or the ship’s own show.
On a sea day, many groups hold their main service, often with communion arranged by their own pastor.
Choosing a Christian Cruise That Fits You
| If you want... | Consider |
|---|---|
| A completely Christian atmosphere and well-known speakers or artists | A full-ship charter; check the organizer, ship and terms carefully |
| Your own church family and pastor | Your congregation’s church cruise, or ask your church to start one |
| A gentle pace and fellow believers your age | A hosted group on a mid-size ship; see Christian cruises for seniors |
| Creation on a grand scale | Christian cruises to Alaska in summer |
| Warm weather and a short trip | Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from US ports; see Caribbean Cruise Ports |
| History and the footsteps of the apostles | Mediterranean sailings with ports in Greece and Italy; see Europe Port Excursions |
Before You Sign Up
- Know who you are paying: the cruise line, a travel agency or an organizer, and how your deposit is protected.
- Get the ship, the dates and the cancellation terms in writing.
- Ask what is included in the Christian program, and what the ship itself provides.
- Consider travel insurance; Cruise & Travel Insurance explains the basics.
- If you are new to cruising, read First Time Cruise and pack with Cruising Checklist.
Why Plan With Mister Cruise
Group Cruise Sales 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 find ships and sailings that suit your faith group, hold the cabins and look after every member’s booking. Meet Mister Cruise →
Organizing for your congregation? The one-page guide at Church Group Cruises and the club and organization advice on Group Cruise Planner are good companions. Alumni groups have their own guide at College Alumni Cruises, and churches raising money for a mission can learn how on Fundraiser Cruising. For fares that change week to week, join the Mister Cruise cruise newsletter.
Christian Cruise Questions
What is a Christian cruise?
A cruise where faith is part of the program. It may be a full-ship charter organized around Christian music or teaching, a group hosted by a ministry or a pastor on a regular sailing, or simply a church that books cabins together and adds worship and fellowship to the itinerary.
Are there cruise lines that are Christian?
The major ocean cruise lines are secular companies that welcome guests of every faith. Christian cruises are created by the groups that sail on those ships, which is why the choice of ship and itinerary matters so much. Our Christian cruise lines page explains the options.
Can a Christian group avoid alcohol and the casino on a cruise?
You cannot remove them from a public sailing, but a group can choose not to buy drink packages, hold its events in alcohol-free private spaces and pick a ship whose atmosphere suits its members. On a full-ship charter, the organizer has far more say.
Do you list specific Christian cruise organizers?
No. We do not recommend or rank outside organizers. If you are considering a charter, ask the organizer for the ship, the cruise line, the full terms and who handles payments, and confirm the sailing with the line.
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Plan a Christian Cruise
Tell us whether you are traveling as a couple, a small group or a whole church, plus your preferred region and month. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will send free quotes and suggest ships that suit a faith group.
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