Christmas Cruises — Sail Away This Festive Season

Where Do Christmas Cruises Go?

Christmas cruising this December spreads across several very different parts of the world, so wherever you picture yourself spending the festive season, there is likely a sailing to match. The Caribbean is by far the most popular choice, with more sailings than any other region combined — ships leave from Florida and head for warm waters, with round-trip itineraries that bring you back to the same port after seven nights or so. The Canary Islands are a strong second, offering a closer-to-home option for those who want winter sun without flying as far. The Western Mediterranean adds a third flavour entirely, with a mix of cultural ports and coastline. Further afield, Southeast Asia draws those who want something genuinely different — sailing in and out of Hong Kong or Singapore over Christmas is a world away from a Caribbean beach break, and no less festive for it.

Where Do Christmas Cruises Go in 2026?

The Caribbean — the Heart of It

The Caribbean is where Christmas cruising is most heavily concentrated, and for good reason: round-trip sailings of around seven nights are the norm, which means you are back home before New Year if you want to be, or you can choose a longer voyage that takes in more islands. Most of these depart from Florida — Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can sail from either, and it is worth checking both for dates and prices. Port Canaveral is the third Florida option, popular with families heading to the eastern Caribbean. San Juan, Puerto Rico also serves as a departure point, making it a natural fit for a fly-and-cruise holiday that puts you in the Caribbean from the moment you land.

Within the Caribbean, sailings split across the western, eastern and Southern Caribbean, as well as the broader Caribbean region. The Western Caribbean and Southern Caribbean each offer their own character — the western tends towards longer, island-hopping itineraries, while the southern reaches further towards South America. If that direction appeals, a handful of sailings continue down towards Brazil and the wider South American coast, which makes for a genuinely substantial voyage to mark Christmas and the New Year together.

The Canary Islands — Winter Sun from Closer to Home

For those who prefer not to fly as far, the Canary Islands are a well-established Christmas favourite. Sailings from Southampton make this one of the few destinations where no flight is needed at all — you board in England and the ship does the rest. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is among the ports that feature, and the round-trip format means you return to Southampton after a ten-to-fourteen-night voyage in time for the new year. For those who prefer P&O Canary Islands sailings specifically, there are dedicated options to explore. If you want an all-inclusive fare from Southampton this Christmas, see the all-inclusive Southampton Christmas cruise options for a tighter filter.

The Western Mediterranean and Further Afield

The Western Mediterranean carries a solid range of sailings for those who want a European flavour over Christmas — think coastal ports, old-city architecture and festive markets ashore. Southeast Asia is the choice for those who want to be somewhere genuinely surprising at Christmas: Singapore and Hong Kong both serve as home ports for itineraries through this region, and a Southeast Asia cruise over the festive period can combine city time before or after the sailing with the voyage itself. We can book flights, hotels, transfers and tours around any of these sailings as one package, so the whole trip is on a single booking.

The Mexican Riviera also features for those departing the west coast of the US, while a small number of sailings sail coastal England — a genuinely short-break option for anyone who simply wants to be at sea over Christmas without the complexity of a transatlantic trip. England sailings are compact and increasingly popular as a different kind of festive break.

Christmas Cruises from Southampton

Southampton is the main UK departure port for Christmas, and for passengers in most of England, it is reachable by road or rail without flying. You board the ship, the ship sails, and the festive season begins — no airport queues, no early starts to catch a flight. Cruises from Southampton at Christmas run primarily to the Canary Islands and occasionally around the British coast, with round-trip itineraries that bring you back to Southampton after the sailing.

If you want a shorter festive sailing, Christmas mini cruises from Southampton are a popular alternative — a few nights at sea over the holiday rather than a full fortnight. For something more specific, you can browse all Christmas cruises from Southampton in one place, or narrow further to all-inclusive Christmas sailings from Southampton in 2027 if you are planning ahead.

Which Cruise Lines Sail at Christmas?

MSC Cruises has the widest range of Christmas sailings, covering the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and beyond. Royal Caribbean is the second most active line this December, with a strong Caribbean programme and a mix of ship sizes to suit different travel styles. Carnival Cruise Line rounds out the top three, with a largely Caribbean-focused programme departing from multiple Florida ports. Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises all add further options across the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Disney Cruise Line also have Christmas sailings for those with a preference for a specific fleet.

The spread of lines means there is a genuine choice between ship style and fare level, not just destination. MSC’s larger ships bring the entertainment and dining variety of a big resort vessel; Royal Caribbean’s fleet adds a mix of activity and scale; Carnival skews towards a lively, sociable atmosphere; Princess and Celebrity lean more towards a relaxed, refined experience. Our cruise experts can help you match the line to the way you actually want to spend your Christmas at sea.

Ships to Look At

Several ships are particularly worth considering for a Christmas sailing. Here is what makes each one distinctive.

MSC Preziosa

Preziosa is one of the most visually striking ships in the MSC fleet — Swarovski crystal staircases and a cobbled Italian piazza run through the public spaces, giving the ship a grandeur that suits a festive sailing. For entertainment, Vertigo is one of the longest waterslides at sea, and there is also a 4D cinema, an F1 simulator, a Platinum Theatre and a bowling alley. Guests who want something quieter can book into the MSC Yacht Club, which delivers butler service, a private pool deck and exclusive dining — a ship-within-a-ship that is well suited to a Christmas splurge. Starlink Wi-Fi runs throughout. See the MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans to choose your grade. Cabin options include:

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica — 16 m², sleeps up to 4, a comfortable interior option with 4 m² more space than standard inside cabins
• Premium Ocean View Fantastica — 20 m², sleeps up to 4, with a window and 3 m² more than the standard ocean-view grade
• Balcony Aurea — 18 m² plus a 4 m² balcony, sleeps up to 4, larger than the standard balcony grades
• Grand Suite Aurea — 38 m², sleeps up to 4, with an espresso machine, premium minibar and walk-in wardrobe

MSC World Asia

MSC World Asia sails the Southeast Asia region over Christmas, making it the ship to look at if a festive voyage through Asia appeals more than the Caribbean. See the MSC World Asia cabins and deck plans for grades and layouts.

MSC Musica

MSC Musica is a 294-metre ship that was renovated in 2024, so the interiors feel fresh even though the ship has been sailing since 2006. The La Scala Theatre seats 1,200 guests for Broadway-style productions nightly, and the three-tiered waterfall in the atrium is a signature detail. For dining, Kaito Sushi Bar and the Butcher’s Cut steakhouse (arriving November 2026) join the MSC Yacht Club for guests who want elevated options alongside the main restaurants. Check the MSC Musica cabins and deck plans when you are ready to choose.

Costa Favolosa

Costa Favolosa’s Gothic fairy-tale atrium — Versailles-inspired décor flowing through three decks of crystal and mirror — makes it one of the most dramatic interiors afloat. The Samsara Spa covers 6,000 m² across two decks, with a thalassotherapy pool and an ocean-view fitness centre. The Archipelago restaurant is helmed by 3 Michelin-starred chefs. Costa Favolosa cabins and deck plans are available if you want to compare grades:

• Inside cabin I4 — 10 m², sleeps up to 4, slightly more spacious than the standard inside grades
• Ocean-view cabin E1 — 13 m², sleeps up to 4, with a window and 4 m² more than inside cabins
• Balcony cabin with sea view — 13 m², sleeps up to 4, positioned on lower balcony decks for the most stable feel
• Suite S — 21 m², sleeps up to 4, the largest suite on board

Costa Toscana

Costa Toscana offers the same Michelin-starred Archipelago dining concept as Favolosa, and adds the Ferrari Spazio Bollicine bar — Ferrari wines and champagne in an exclusive onboard setting found nowhere else in the Costa fleet. The Solemio Spa spans 4,500 m², with a thalassotherapy pool, a salt grotto and a snow cave. See the Costa Toscana cabins and deck plans for the full grade list.

Costa Pacifica

Costa Pacifica carries a feature genuinely unlike anything else at sea: an onboard recording studio where guests can lay down their own CD. The music theme runs through the Grand Bar Rhapsody at the heart of the ship, and the Samsara Spa covers 6,000 m² across two decks with a glass-fronted gym. For cabin options, the Costa Pacifica cabins and deck plans have the detail.

Azura — P&O Cruises

Azura was refreshed bow-to-stern in 2025, with new restaurants, bars, cabin décor and corridor carpets throughout, so the ship feels considerably newer than its age. Specialty dining includes Sindhu for modern Indian cuisine and the Glass House, curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith. The 800-seat Playhouse theatre delivers West End-quality aerial acrobatics and shows, and the SeaScreen open-air cinema on deck is a distinctive evening option. Cabin grades on Azura include:

• Larger Inside Cabin OB — 15 m², sleeps 2, exclusively on Riviera Deck for easy navigation around the ship
• Sea View Cabin LB — 15 m², sleeps 2, with natural light and an unobstructed sea view
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin DA — 29 m², sleeps 2, with a private balcony for open-air sea views
• Penthouse Suite A1 — 69 m², sleeps 2, the largest suite on board with a full separate lounge area

Spectrum of the Seas

Spectrum of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s ship for the Asia market and a strong option if you are considering a Christmas sailing in that part of the world. See the Spectrum of the Seas cabins and deck plans for grade details.

Celestyal Discovery

Celestyal Discovery rounds out the ships sailing this Christmas. See the Celestyal Discovery cabins and deck plans for cabin options.

Are There All-Inclusive Christmas Cruise Options?

Yes — a substantial share of the sailings available this Christmas are all-inclusive or carry a fare tier that covers drinks, dining or both. Christmas and New Year all-inclusive cruises for 2027 are already bookable if you are planning further ahead, and there is a dedicated page for Christmas and New Year 2026 all-inclusive sailings too. For a Southampton-specific all-inclusive search, the all-inclusive Southampton 2026 Christmas cruises page has the filtered results.

What counts as all-inclusive varies by line. On Norwegian Cruise Line, the NCLATSEA fare tier includes a premium beverage package, a speciality dining package, a Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits per port — meaning most of what you spend on board is already settled before you sail. Costa’s All Inclusive tier covers drinks and dining as well as entertainment and room service. Royal Caribbean’s fare tiers include last-minute pricing and early-booking options; fare types such as last-minute offers and early-booking credits are available on select sailings, so it is worth asking our team which promotions apply to the specific departure you are looking at. The simplest way to be sure what is included is to call us before you book — inclusions vary by departure date and cabin grade, and we will tell you exactly what each fare covers.

What Do Christmas Cruise Fares Include?

The base cruise fare typically covers your cabin, meals in the main restaurants, entertainment and use of the ship’s facilities. What it does not automatically include depends on the line and the fare tier you choose. Here is a quick guide to the main lines on sale this Christmas:

• Royal Caribbean — the standard cruise fare covers accommodation and main dining. Fare types such as last-minute pricing and early-booking onboard credit are available on select sailings; solo travellers can also book a single-occupancy fare.
• Norwegian Cruise Line — the lowest fare covers accommodation and main dining only. Upgrading to the NCLATSEA tier adds a premium beverage package, a speciality dining package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits. The NCLATSEAPLUS tier extends this to all guests in the stateroom.
• Costa Cruises — the Comfort Plus fare includes full board, unlimited drinks, room service, entertainment and use of pools and relaxation areas. The All Inclusive tier adds the full Italian drinks and dining package. Last-minute fares are also available on select sailings at discounted rates.

Our team will walk you through what each fare tier means in practice for the specific sailing you are considering, so you are not left guessing at the booking screen.

What Are the Best Deals on Christmas Cruises?

Discounts are available across a wide range of Christmas sailings. The reductions vary considerably — the typical saving across discounted departures runs to around 10% off that cabin grade’s previous price, while the deepest-reduced sailing reaches up to 51% off, though that level applies to a single departure rather than across the board. If you are flexible on the exact ship or itinerary, our team can point you toward the sailings where the price has moved most. Prices start from £138 pp* for the most affordable options, with the majority of sailings sitting at a median duration of around seven nights. Longer voyages of up to 46 nights are also available for those who want to use Christmas as the start of a much bigger trip.

Make It a Full Holiday

For the vast majority of Christmas sailings, the cruise departs from a port outside the UK — Florida, the Canary Islands by air, Singapore, Hong Kong — which means a flight is part of the trip. As one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, Cruise1st can arrange flights, hotels either side of the sailing, transfers to and from the port, tours ashore and travel insurance as a single booking. That matters at Christmas more than at any other time of year, when you want the whole thing to work seamlessly and you do not want to be piecing together different bookings if something changes.

For sailings from Southampton, there is no flight to worry about. You can arrive by train or car, board the ship in the afternoon, and be at sea by evening. If you want a hotel in Southampton the night before — useful if you are travelling a long way — we can add that too. Either way, everything goes on one booking through our team. Find out more about how we put it all together on our Cruise1st Packages page. We are ABTA- and ATOL-protected, and rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews.

Looking at Other Years?

If you are planning further ahead, Christmas cruises in 2027 are already on sale with a broad range of sailings across the same regions. Christmas cruises in 2028 are also bookable for those who like to secure a holiday well in advance. If you are browsing the broader 2026 programme, the 2026 Christmas cruises overview covers the full departure window. For the New Year sailing that naturally follows Christmas, see our New Year’s Eve cruises and New Year’s Eve mini cruises from Southampton. If you are specifically planning around Southampton for the new year, New Year cruises from Southampton in 2026 has the relevant sailings. You can also browse the full cruise listings if you want to search across all departure dates and destinations at once.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.