We just recently returned from our cruise vacation, and I wanted to pop on here with some ideas for cruise ship books to read on a cruise vacation – while this is still on my mind! You know…because I’m at that age where things just don’t seem to stick in my head like they used to!
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Leisure Time Well Spent
We had an incredible vacation with Carnival Cruise Lines. We ate like kings, listened to all the live music and DJ playlists we wanted, met lots of great new people, and had plenty of leisure time we normally don’t allow ourselves at home. A lot of this leisure time involved basking in the sun even though I’m not supposed to really spend much time in the sun, and I’m back home with the sunburn to prove it!
And what’s a good time basking in the sun if you don’t have proper reading material? Admittedly, I didn’t plan out my vacation reads with much intention. I have a stack of books at home that have been waiting for me to kindly turn my attention to them. A few are some I bought from Amazon. A couple others are some from a book exchange with my sister-in-law.
The night before we left for the trip, I grabbed a couple to tuck into my backpack. Imagine my surprise when one of the books from my sister-in-law turned out to be a suspense thriller (my favorite genre) that takes place on a cruise ship! What luck!
Reading My Cruise Ship Book on the Cruise
I read my cruise book all over the Carnival Valor. The Cabin Below by N.L. Hinkens was the perfect cruise read for me! There are so many situations in the book that might not have made much sense to me had I not currently been cruising (or had not recently cruised). For example, in the book the main characters have to report to the muster station on their embarkation day – something I had just done an hour before getting to that part in the book. If you had asked me a month ago about a muster station, I would not have been able to remember at all what that even is as it’s been a while since our last cruise.
I read my book all over the place.
I read at the main pool with tons of other people around and a variety of DJs blasting favorite hits.
I read in the quiet of my own cabin balcony with the soothing waves rhythmically moving in the background.
And I read after ordering a bucket of poolside beverages…until I dozed off from said pool drinks since I’m not much of day drinker.
By the way, I took this next picture with my phone in one of those clear phone pouches on a lanyard thingies. The pictures come out a bit more hazy than they do when the phone isn’t in a case, but it’s not bad at all considering I didn’t have to stress about my phone getting messed up by water or sunscreen. I have put it in my carry on so I will have it for future trips.
The Cruise Ship Library
When I was finished reading my book at the end of the trip, I donated the book to my Carnival cruise library so someone else on the upcoming cruises could borrow and enjoy. Isn’t it super cool the ship has a library with books and games that guests can check out on the honor system? It had never even occurred to me that cruise ships have libraries!
You can read or play games at the tables and comfy chairs in the library or you can take the items back to your room. Every time I went into the Carnival Valor library, there were multiple people in there enjoying the peaceful space. My family enjoyed playing some games while I dug through the bookshelves.
The library seemed to have a carefully planned library collection. Obviously, the cruise ship librarian realizes book on cruise ships should appeal to a wide range. There were fiction and non-fiction books – from historical books, Christian-themed books, and novels with a travel focus or a cultural focus. I did notice many books were authored by global authors from around the world which I have a strong appreciation for. There were books featuring identity struggles to family dramas to romances and tragedies set back decades in time. I found quite a few Spanish language novels, and there were plenty of children’s books, as well. I thought the books matched very well to the demographics of guests on the cruise ship.
I was pleased to see there were a few more books with a cruise ship setting in the library collection!
The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton looked like a great new book! If I had more time to read it after I stumbled upon it in the cruise library, I definitely would have! A suspenseful story set on a luxury cruise liner from New York to Havana, secrets and suspense abound.
More Mystery and Suspense Cruise Ship Books
After doing some research, asking friends for recommendations, and doing some more research, I have come up with a list of 10 additional suspense cruise ship books – in addition to the two already mentioned above.
Many of the books are available in Kindle, audio, and paperback formats.
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware – This novel is next on my list of cruise ship books to read on a cruise! It is suspenseful and thrilling, just like I like. On Goodreads, it scores a 3.7. It is an Amazon editor’s pick and receives a nod from Entertainment Weekly and the New York Post.
- Millie’s Cruise Ship Mysteries (series) by Hope Callaghan – This light-hearted series of 24 mystery books all center around assistant cruise director Millie (a 50-something grandmother) and the shenanigans that unfold aboard a massive cruise ship. You can order one book a time (the first book has a Christmas theme linked below), a set of the first three Millie’s Cruise Ship Mysteries, a set of 10, or the entire series!
- A Murder Mystery Cruise by Dawn Brookes – Part of the A Rachel Prince Mystery series, this book takes readers on yet another cruise with Rachel Prince – this time a murder mystery cruise. This cruise ship novel scores a 4.4 on Goodreads.
- Day Four by Sarah Lotz – This thriller takes readers through many twists and turns and a gloomy arrival aboard The Beautiful Dreamer cruise ship. This suspenseful novel scores a 3.3 on Goodreads.
- Cruise Ship Caper by Tegan Maher (Kindle or audiobook only) – This novella is part of the Witches of Keyhole Lake Mysteries series and follows main character Noelle and friends as they find excitement they hadn’t banked on on a cruise ship.
- Patricia Fisher Cruise Ship Mysteries by Steve Higgs – This series of 10 cruise ship novels follows passenger Patricia Fisher as she dances around accusations of theft and more features humor, romance, emotional roller coasters, and suspense.
- Blood Cruise by Mats Strandberg – There should be no guesses as to the suspense and thrill of this book when the cover tagline reads, “On the Baltic Sea, no one can hear you scream.” This thriller rates a 3.4 on Goodreads.
- Bert and Mamie Take a Cruise by John Keyse-Walker – When a couple sets sail on an African cruise in 1939, the last thing they are expecting is to become cruise detectives! (As this is a new 2023 release, the paperback version is not yet available at the time of this writing. But Kindle and hardback versions are available.)
- The Last Cruise by Kate Christensen – Join the guests on this retro luxury cruise ship as it takes its last hoorah. Just be prepared for any twists and turns along the way.
- Death Under the Perseids by Teresa Dovalpage – Part of A Havana Mystery series, this book brings a cruise ship setting and the vibrant city of Havana together as the main character scrambles to uncover secrets.
Romance Books to Take on a Cruise
If romance is more your speed, don’t fret! Here are a few titles with good reviews that will go along perfectly on your cruise vacation!
- Shipped by Angie Hockman – This novel falls under Amazon editor’s pick for best romance. The plot involves a female main character attending a company cruise.
- Undercover Billionaire: A Forbidden Cinderella Cruise Ship Romance by Amy Andrews – This sultry romance brings two main characters – male and female – into a ocean-bound romance!
- Ship of Fools by Katherine Anne Porter – If you enjoy classical reads that pull you back into decades past, you might enjoy this novel set in 1931 with passengers aboard a cruise ship set for Germany. Originally published in 1984, this is a cruise read that has stood the test of time!
- Cruise Quarters: A Novel About Casinos and Cruise Ships by Cara Bertoia and Raymond Bertoia – If you head for the casino deck the minute you board a cruise ship, this novel, based on real life situation and authored by actual cruise ship casino employees, might be for you!
- No puedes engañar al amor by Elisabeth Martin – This Spanish language romance novel is the first in a series of protagonist Emily Gilbert and centers around “the most fabulous cruise ship in the world” headed to New York.
Holiday Cruise Books (Christmas Season)
If you are on the countdown for a Christmas cruise, surely one of the following cruise ship books should be in your bag! Some are romance and others are mystery, marked accordingly.
- Santa Cruise: A Festive and Fun Holiday Story by Fern Michaels – Follow four lifelong friends as they set out for adventure on a singles cruise during the Christmas season. This romance is an Amazon editor’s pick and scores a 3.9 on Goodreads. (Romance)
- Santa Cruise by Mary Higgins Clark – For all the Mary Higgins Clark fans out there, we had to add Santa Cruise. A peaceful post-holiday cruise turns anything but once the Santa Cruise hits the waves. (Suspense)
- A Christmas Cruise Murder by Dawn Brookes – This holiday-themed suspense cruise book takes readers along with Rachel as she starts her cruise to the Canary Islands. But, like with many cruises, there are a few bumps along the way! (Suspense)
- Millie’s Cruise Ship Mysteries: Cruise Ship Crisis by Hope Callaghan – As we’ve already mentioned, the Millie’s series features up to 24 mystery books. But this particular one, the first book, kicks the entire series off with a Christmas cruise theme. (Lighthearted Suspense)
Happy cruising and happy reading, fellow cruisers!
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Melody Hayden
I came across your website as I was searching for books about cruises.
Recently I read a book titled “The Untold Tales of a Sailor at Sea” by author L.C.Tang which is all about the hidden truths of the cruise industry. I recommend checking out the boook and perhaps adding it to your website for your followers. You have a very informative website and suggestions for travel enthusiasts.
Travel enthusiast,
Melody
Melody Hayden
I came across your website as I was searching for books about cruises.
Recently I read a book titled “The Untold Tales of a Sailor at Sea” by author L.C.Tang which is all about the hidden truths of the cruise industry. I recommened checking out the boook and perhaps adding it to your website for your followers. You have a very informative website and suggestions for travel enthusiasts.
Travel enthusiast,
Melody
Amy
Thank you, Melody! I will definitely check this one out! I love a good “behind the scenes” type of book!