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How to Book a Fundraiser Cruise

Booking a fundraiser cruise with Cruising for Causes™ begins with intentional planning, not ship selection. Our process is designed to ensure your organization, supporting travel professionals, and partners are prepared to execute a cruise-based fundraiser responsibly, compliantly, and in alignment with your mission. Each step below reflects best practices established through our certification standards and real-world fundraising experience.





1. Choosing the Right Cruise Line

Selecting the right cruise line is a strategic decision that affects fundraising structure, financial terms, and overall execution. Not all cruise lines support group fundraising in the same way, and policies can vary significantly.

We guide organizations to evaluate:

  • Group policies and minimum cabin requirements

  • Deposit schedules and cancellation terms

  • Support for group space, onboard events, and private functions

  • Alignment with your audience’s budget, expectations, and travel preferences

The right cruise line provides flexibility and structure that support your fundraising goals without creating unnecessary financial or operational risk.

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2. Choosing the Right Cruise ship

Not all ships are appropriate for fundraising events. Ship size, onboard amenities, and group space availability directly affect programming, donor engagement, and execution.

Best practice considerations include:

  • Availability of group meeting and event space

  • Capacity for onboard activations, workshops, or tributes

  • Accessibility needs of your audience

  • Ship layout that supports community-building rather than fragmentation

The right ship enhances the fundraising experience while supporting compliance and logistics.


3. Choosing the Right Itinerary

An itinerary should enhance your mission, not distract from it. Ports of call, travel complexity, and destination relevance all influence participation and donor experience.

Cruising for Causes™ helps organizations assess:

  • Ease of travel to the embarkation port

  • Passport and documentation requirements

  • Cultural, educational, or mission-aligned destination opportunities

  • Overall balance between experience and fundraising focus

The right itinerary encourages participation while minimizing barriers and risk.

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4. Starting the Fundraiser Correctly

Fundraising should begin with readiness and transparency—not promotion. Before launching, organizations must confirm leadership approval, financial readiness, and compliance requirements.

Best practices include:

  • Completing a readiness assessment

  • Defining what portion of the cruise supports fundraising

  • Establishing compliant donor disclosures

  • Aligning marketing language with legal and ethical standards

Starting the fundraiser the right way protects your organization, your donors, and your long-term credibility.


Upcoming Fundraising Events

Upcoming Fundraising Events

Our Cruise Partners

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The Cruising for Causes Fundraising Program takes a unique entertainment avenue and turns it into a cruising sensation for your participants. By collaborating with Cruising for Causes we create a wide range of cruise itineraries and ship options that suit the fundraising organization's goals and preferences.

Beyond the cruise itself, Cruising for Cause's fundraising program emphasizes community building that has a lasting impact. Your participants return from their cruise experience with cherished memories, newfound connections, and a sense of pride for contributing to a meaningful cause. The post-cruise phase involves sharing the success stories of the funds raised, reinforcing the positive impact made by both the organization and its supporters. In essence, Cruising for Cause's fundraising program embodies the spirit of philanthropy by combining the excitement of a cruise vacation with the fulfillment of supporting worthwhile endeavors.

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Carnival is a popular cruise line for first-timers and caters to a very wide demographic. It is very popular for families. Carnival has the first rollercoaster at sea, and IMAX Theater.

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Celebrity is Royal Caribbean’s premium brand. Celebrity recently introduced their “Always Included” program, which includes drinks, WiFi, and tips included at no additional charge.

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Holland America Cruise Lines is known for its elegant and classic cruise experiences, and their passengers experience a more intimate and sophisticated journey to various destinations.

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NCL is another all-purpose cruise line catering to families with their “Freestyle Cruising”. NCL features go-karts, virtual reality and laser tag on several ships.

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Princess Cruise Lines is known for its contemporary and luxurious cruise experiences. With a diverse fleet, innovative amenities, it's personalized service, and destinations worldwide.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is a prominent luxurious cruise company renowned for its onboard experiences and amenities and a commitment to delivering memorable adventures.



We partner with all major cruise lines. Each cruise line has it’s niche markets, so we will work with you to determine the best cruise line, the best ship and the best itinerary for your particular fundraising cruise. These are some of the most popular options: