Are you in search of a unique and memorable way to celebrate the holiday season? Christmas cruises combine the magic of the holidays with the joy of travel, offering a perfect blend of festive cheer, relaxation, and exploration that has become more popular than ever.
From enchanting holiday-themed onboard activities to visiting stunning destinations adorned in seasonal splendor, these cruises create treasured memories for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Demand for holiday sailings often leads to early sellouts, so it is smart to think about the best time to book a Christmas cruise in advance to secure your preferred itinerary and cabin.
Related: Best cruises in December
Find your own Christmas cruise:
Christmas cruise celebrations and traditions
One of the biggest draws of holiday cruises is the onboard atmosphere. Cruise lines go far beyond simple décor to create a truly festive experience tailored to their style and audience, making it easy to find the best cruise at Christmas no matter what kind of experience you want.
Festive décor: Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas and Carnival’s Mardi Gras feature grand atrium Christmas trees, wreaths on every deck, and ship-wide lighting displays, making them perfect choices for travelers seeking the best cruises at Christmas time.
Tree-lighting ceremonies and caroling: Disney Cruise Line’s Very Merrytime sailings include nightly caroling and official tree-lighting events with beloved characters, making them among the best Christmas cruises for families.
Santa visits, gifts for kids, and family programming: Carnival offers Santa meet-and-greets and themed youth club activities. Norwegian Cruise Line hosts holiday storytelling and crafts for children, making these options great for anyone looking for the best cruise for Christmas with kids.
Multi-faith celebrations: Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line include Hanukkah menorah lightings, Christmas services, and interfaith holiday gatherings for inclusive celebrations that appeal to many seeking the best cruise line for Christmas experiences.
Holiday-themed shows and movies: Princess Cruise Line screens holiday films under the stars. MSC Cruises runs onboard Christmas markets with live music, giving travelers a chance to enjoy the best Christmas market cruise experience at sea.
Elaborate holiday menus: Cunard Line serves formal Christmas dinners with roast turkey and pudding. Regent Seven Seas Cruises features multi-course holiday tasting menus with premium wine pairings, offering some of the best Christmas holiday cruises for food lovers.
New Year's Eve countdown parties: MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises host large onboard New Year's parties with live bands and fireworks at sea. Virgin Voyages provides adults-only themed parties with DJs and cocktails, making these sailings excellent choices among the best Christmas cruises for adults.
These traditions help create a fully immersive holiday experience at sea, giving travelers plenty of options to choose the best cruise to take at Christmas for their style and interests.
Sail into the holidays with festive cruises:
Polar cruises: December cruises for the adventurous type
Antarctica cruises operate during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, with December offering a unique chance for a true "White Christmas." Most expedition ships feature festive décor, holiday menus, and seasonal programming onboard, making them an unforgettable way to celebrate.
Celebrity Cruises offers Antarctica sailings on ships like the Celebrity Eclipse, featuring ice navigation capability, expert-led excursions, and special holiday feasts. For a more intimate luxury experience, Seabourn’s Venture provides expedition Christmas cruises with guided Zodiac landings, onboard lectures, and gourmet holiday meals.
These once-in-a-lifetime voyages deliver incredible scenery, wildlife encounters, and a truly unique holiday celebration, often considered among the best cruises during Christmas for adventurous travelers.
Christmas market and European holiday cruises
For travelers dreaming of classic European holiday charm, ocean lines also offer Mediterranean and Canary Islands sailings that overlap with Christmas markets and New Year’s celebrations. These itineraries are ideal for anyone searching for the best European Christmas market cruises.
- MSC: MSC Seaside offers round-trip Mediterranean Christmas sailings from Genoa to Barcelona, Casablanca, and Tenerife with onboard markets, holiday décor, and festive menus, making it one of the best Christmas market cruises in Europe.
- Costa: Costa Toscana sails from Rome to Marseille, Valencia, and the Canary Islands, featuring Italian Christmas traditions and big onboard New Year’s Eve parties with fireworks at sea. This is a strong choice for travelers looking for the best cruises over Christmas in the Mediterranean.
- Viking: Viking Venus runs “Mediterranean Odyssey” voyages from Barcelona to Athens with Scandinavian-style storytelling, caroling, and holiday-themed menus, giving passengers the feel of the best Christmas market cruise with European elegance.
- Azamara Cruises: Azamara Journey offers immersive holiday itineraries like a 16-night South Africa sailing round-trip from Cape Town, spanning Christmas and New Year with local performances and gala dinners. This is an excellent option among the best Christmas holiday cruises for exploration-focused travelers.
These cruises blend local traditions, holiday markets, and warm winter weather for a seasonal celebration that many consider among the best cruises at Christmas time.
Explore European holiday cruises:
Caribbean Christmas cruises
If you're looking to escape the holiday hustle and embrace the tropics, the Caribbean is a classic choice. Many lines reposition their ships for winter and offer a wide range of sailings perfect for those seeking the best Christmas cruise destinations.
- Royal Caribbean: Caribbean sailings on Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature elaborate décor, ice shows, Santa visits, and holiday-themed dining, making them strong contenders for the best cruises for Christmas in the tropics.
- Carnival: Carnival Jubilee and Mardi Gras sail from Texas and Florida with tree-lighting ceremonies, holiday shows, and kids’ activities, making them top picks for the best Christmas cruises for families.
- Norwegian: Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Escape include festive décor, holiday menus, Santa meet-and-greets, and themed entertainment. These are great options for travelers comparing the best cruise line for Christmas.
- MSC: MSC Seascape and MSC Meraviglia sail the Caribbean with onboard holiday markets, special Christmas feasts, and New Year’s Eve deck parties featuring fireworks, making them appealing for travelers seeking the best Christmas cruise deals that include big onboard events.
- Disney: “Very Merrytime” sailings on Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy showcase ship-wide decorations, character meet-and-greets in holiday outfits, and special tree-lighting events. These are top choices for the best Christmas cruises for families.
- Virgin Voyages: Adults-only Caribbean cruises on Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady feature stylish holiday-themed parties, upscale dining, and no kids onboard. This is a great option among the best Christmas cruises for adults.
- Holland America Line, Princess Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises: All deliver elegant Caribbean sailings with seasonal décor, special menus, religious services, and festive onboard entertainment. These options are perfect for those seeking the best cruises over Christmas with a luxury or classic touch.
Families tend to travel in large numbers during the school holiday period, so choosing early December sailings can help avoid crowds and often provides the best time to book a Christmas cruise for deals and availability.
Browse Christmas sailings in the Caribbean:
Christmas and New Year's combo cruises
Travelers wanting to keep the celebration going often choose cruises that span both Christmas and New Year's. These itineraries allow guests to enjoy both holidays in style without needing to worry about hosting parties at home, making them some of the best Christmas time cruises for an extended celebration.
- Princess: Offers South Pacific combo sailings from Australia and New Zealand with themed parties and holiday dining, perfect for those seeking the best cruises during Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Costa and MSC: Mediterranean and Canary Islands combo cruises with onboard markets, Italian traditions, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at sea are often among the best Christmas market cruises 2025 travelers can plan for in advance.
- Norwegian: Caribbean and Mexican Riviera itineraries with elaborate décor, holiday menus, and big New Year’s celebrations are ideal for anyone looking ahead at the best Christmas cruises 2025 itineraries.
- Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Azamara Cruises: Feature longer luxury sailings that cover Christmas and New Year in South America, Africa, and the South Pacific with elegant seasonal programming, making them excellent options for the best Christmas holiday cruises.
- Cunard: Offers classic transatlantic and Caribbean combos with formal dinners, Christmas carols, and grand New Year’s Eve balls, creating a traditional best cruise at Christmas experience.
These combo cruises remain popular with travelers who want to relax in style for the entire holiday season.
Book your holiday season cruise combo:
Exotic beaches: Escape the cold this Christmas
If you’re ready to trade snow for sand, consider cruises to tropical destinations like Tahiti, Bora Bora, or South America. December is the high travel season in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, providing plenty of options for travelers seeking the best Christmas cruise destinations in warm climates.
- Princess: Runs Southeast Asia and Australia/New Zealand Christmas sailings with festive décor, seasonal menus, and themed events, making them ideal for travelers wanting the best cruises over Christmas with a sunny backdrop.
- Royal Caribbean: Deploys Quantum-class ships from Singapore to Thailand and Vietnam with holiday dinners and entertainment, offering great choices among the best Christmas time cruises in Asia.
- Norwegian: Offers Southeast Asia itineraries with traditional décor, holiday-themed entertainment, and special Christmas menus, giving travelers several strong options for the best cruises to take at Christmas.
While local ports may have minimal holiday celebrations, you can rely on the ships themselves to deliver festive traditions that make these sailings some of the best Christmas cruises for adults and families alike.
Find Christmas cruises to exotic beaches:
Plan your best Christmas cruise now
When it comes to the best cruises for Christmas, there is a world of exciting options to explore. Whether you're dreaming of European holiday markets, an adventure to Antarctica, a Caribbean escape, a South Pacific holiday, or a combination of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, the possibilities are endless.
From family-friendly mega-ships overflowing with holiday programming to ultra-luxury expedition cruises in remote destinations, there truly is something for every cruiser looking to celebrate the season at sea.
To find the best Christmas cruise deals tailored to your preferences, book with Cruisebound and discover top cruise deals.
