Oct 9, 2026

Thanksgiving Trip? 3 Costco Vacations Families Should Consider Booking Now

For Costco members putting together a fall vacation, Costco Travel offers a wide variety of destinations to choose from, including cruises, family-friendly resorts and theme parks, many of which come with exclusive rewards and perks just for members.

One of the nice things about booking with Costco Travel beyond the cost and reward benefits is that you can book everything you need in one stop, including flights, hotel stays, transportation, and activities.

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Whether you’re looking to get away before the holidays really gear up or waiting until after Thanksgiving to take a trip, these three options will give you a good idea of what Costco Travel has to offer.

1. Royal Caribbean Cruise Package

This Royal Caribbean four-night cruise onboard the Ovation of the Seas departs from Los Angeles and sails to Santa Catalina and Encinada. With departure options throughout November, you can take off before Thanksgiving or wait until after and decompress between putting away the turkey and setting up the Christmas tree. Rates start at $228 per person for an inside stateroom. Rates are similar to booking through Royal Caribbean directly, but as a Costco member, you’ll receive a Digital Costco Shop Card.

There are plenty of activities onboard for grownups and kids alike, so the whole family will find something fun to do. From the pools and whirlpools to bumper cars and a RipCord by iFLY Skydiving simulator, there’s something for the adventurous. For more relaxed entertainment, Ovation of the Seas offers a card room, movies, art gallery, and educational programs.

2. Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center Package

Listed as a family-friendly resort, the San Diego Gaylord Pacific Resort & Conventions Center Package is a new addition to Costco Travel. The hotel is situated on the Chula Vista Bayfront and the Costco package includes a daily $75 resort credit. The package also includes the mandatory daily resort fee that covers daily water park access for up to four guests as well as two-hour daily bike rentals and daily yoga and bootcamp for two guests.

When you book this package, select flights are included at no extra cost. If you need to adjust the flight time or choose to upgrade to first class, then it will raise the total price of the package. A full-size rental car is also included, so you can see the city as well as take advantage of all of the amenities that the resort offers.

MoneyLion estimated the cost of a three-night stay for a family of four — two adults and two kids under 10 — flying to San Diego from New York City. The total cost through Costco Travel was just over $3,600 and included a rental car. Through a different site, the cost was nearly $5,300 and didn’t include a rental car.

3. Universal Orlando Resort

If you’re planning a trip to a theme park, it’s worth looking at Costco’s options. A trip to Universal Orlando Resort comes with exclusive theme park benefits, like tickets to the resort, early park admission, a Digital Costco Shop Card, and more. A stay at the Universal Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites is included in this package, but you can choose from other hotels for an added fee starting as low as $25.57.

Tickets to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe are included in the package price, and you can add tickets to Walt Disney World for an added cost. While this package doesn’t include a rental car, transportation from the hotel to the resort is included in your stay.

The total cost for this package, based on a family of four flying from New York to Orlando is just over $5,000. To put this trip together through another site, the flight and hotel would cost approximately $3,000 plus $1,200 for theme park tickets, but it won’t come with the additional perks that you earn by going through Costco Travel.

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Written by

Stephanie Mickelson

Edited by

Zuri Anderson