Books About Cruise Ships

The Best Cruise Ships Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Travel Books, featuring 12 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about cruise ships? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Cruise Ships

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Death Sets Sail

By Robin Stevens · Book #9 in the Murder Most Unladylike series

A murder on the Nile cruise challenges two young detectives. Only one will return home.

400 pages· 68,527 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,279 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: On a Nile cruise, young detectives Daisy and Hazel face their toughest case yet. The leader of a mysterious society, claiming ties to ancient pharaohs, is found murdered. As they unravel secrets, they discover everyone has a motive, and danger lurks at every turn. With one detective's life at stake, can they solve the mystery before it's too late?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2008

Snowy Wishes

By Sue Bentley, Angela Swan (Illustrator) · Book #13 in the Magic Puppy series

A seasick girl finds magic and adventure with a mysterious puppy on a Christmas cruise.

128 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 230 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Robyn's Christmas cruise turns from miserable to magical when a fluffy Labrador puppy named Storm appears. As seasickness fades, she and Storm encounter Krista from Lapland, sparking an enchanting adventure. What wonders await as they embrace the unexpected magic of the season?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2013

Sammy Keyes and the Killer Cruise

By Wendelin Van Draanen · Book #17 in the Sammy Keyes series

A cruise turns chaotic when a perfume heiress vanishes. Can a young detective solve the mystery?

352 pages· 74,509 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 890 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: On a cruise with her rockstar dad, junior detective Sammy Keyes faces an unexpected challenge when a perfume heiress disappears. As secrets unravel aboard the ship, Sammy must navigate a locked-room mystery while dealing with her own family drama. Will she uncover the truth before it's too late, or will the waves of deception pull her under? Dive into a thrilling whodunnit where every clue counts and nothing is as it seems.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Spy School at Sea

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #9 in the Spy School series

A spy mission on a cruise ship spirals into chaos.

384 pages· 71,235 words· Est. 10 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,303 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Ben Ripley embarks on a high-stakes mission aboard the world's largest cruise ship, The Emperor of the Seas. Disguised as part of a family, he must uncover his nemesis Murray Hill's sinister plot. As the ship sails, unexpected dangers and twists threaten to sink Ben's plans. Can he outsmart his enemy and save the day, or will the mission end in disaster? Dive into a sea of intrigue and suspense where nothing is as it seems.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2012

Shell Game

By Ridley Pearson · Book #5 in the Kingdom Keepers series

Disney villains lurk on a cruise ship. Can the Kingdom Keepers stop their sinister plan?

560 pages· 106,473 words· Est. 12 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 7,211 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Teen guides Finn, Maybeck, Charlene, Willa, and Philby board the Disney Fantasy for its maiden voyage, only to discover Disney villains have infiltrated the ship. With a stolen journal and a dark mission underway, the Kingdom Keepers must thwart the Overtakers' plan to unleash Chernabog's power. As the ship sails through exotic locales, the stakes rise. Can they prevent chaos before it's too late?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1992

The Mystery Cruise

Book #29 in the The Boxcar Children series

A cruise turns mysterious with false alarms and sabotage. Who's behind it?

128 pages· 14,509 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 931 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: On a Caribbean cruise, the Alden children face unexpected sabotage. With the ship's phone lines cut and a fake 'man overboard' alert, they must uncover who is trying to derail their journey. Can they solve the mystery before it's too late, or will the saboteur succeed in steering them off course? Dive into this thrilling adventure as the Boxcar Children race against time to reveal the truth.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007

Nim at Sea

By Wendy Orr, Kerry Millard (Illustrator) · Nim series

A girl stows away on a cruise to rescue her kidnapped sea lion.

192 pages· 31,091 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 489 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Nim, an adventurous island girl, stows away on a cruise ship to rescue her kidnapped sea lion, Selkie. With her iguana Fred by her side, she navigates the bustling streets of Manhattan, evading a dangerous pursuer. As she races against time, Nim must reunite with her friend, the timid novelist Alex Rover, to save Selkie. Will she succeed in her daring mission amidst the chaos of the city and the high seas? Dive into this thrilling tale of friendship, courage, and unexpected adventures.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Strangers on a Train

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Diaries series

Mystery follows young detectives from a cruise ship to Alaska's wilds. Can they solve it before danger strikes again?

180 pages· 30,357 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,332 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Drew and her friends, Bess and George, leave the Arctic Star cruise ship only to find mystery trailing them into Alaska's rugged landscapes. As they explore Skagway, the Yukon, and Denali, strange incidents suggest the chaos from the ship has followed them. With danger lurking in the vast wilderness, can Nancy uncover the truth before it's too late? The detectives must tread carefully in this uncharted territory, where every step could lead to new peril.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013

Curse of the Arctic Star

By Carolyn Keene · Nancy Drew Diaries series

A cruise ship's maiden voyage turns perilous. Can Nancy uncover the saboteur?

188 pages· 31,076 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 3,846 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Drew and her friends embark on an Alaskan cruise aboard the luxurious Arctic Star. When mysterious incidents threaten the ship's maiden voyage, Nancy must unravel the secrets behind a floating grave, a threatened celebrity, and a dangerous mini-golf course. With the stunning Alaskan landscape as their backdrop, can Nancy and her friends uncover the saboteur before it's too late?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2025

Queen of the Sea

By Reese Eschmann · Book #1 in the Cruise Life series

A girl faces new challenges aboard a luxurious cruise ship. Can she find her place at sea?

144 pages· 14,477 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.6/5 Goodreads · 105 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Caitlin embarks on a summer adventure aboard the Wandering Princess, a lavish cruise ship where her dad works. As she navigates the excitement and pressures of life at sea, Caitlin wonders if she can truly call this floating paradise home. With her family dynamics shifting, will she find her footing in this new world, or will the waves of change prove too overwhelming? Join Caitlin as she discovers the highs and lows of being a crew kid and learns what it means to belong.

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