December Cruises 2026

Where Do December Cruises Go?

December is one of the most varied months in the cruise calendar. The Caribbean leads the way, with sailings from Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) — the two Florida ports sit about half an hour apart, so it is worth checking both for the dates and prices that suit you. Southeast Asia is strongly represented too, with voyages calling at Singapore and Hong Kong. Closer to home, the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean offer a warm-weather alternative with shorter flying times, while a small number of sailings depart directly from Southampton — no airport required for those.

December Cruise Destinations in Detail

Round Britain and No-Fly Sailings

A handful of December departures sail from Southampton, meaning you can travel to the port by road or rail and board without a flight at either end. If the sailing is one-way and ends overseas, you will need to arrange a return flight home — our team can book that for you, along with any hotels or transfers you need.

The Canary Islands and Western Mediterranean

The Canary Islands draw a strong slice of December sailings, with ships departing for the archipelago from embarkation ports in Europe. It is a reliable choice for those who want a warm-weather cruise without a long-haul flight. The Western Mediterranean is also sailing in December, with itineraries that can take in ports such as Rome (Civitavecchia) — a useful option if you fancy combining a pre-cruise city break, which we can arrange as part of a Cruise1st Package.

The Caribbean — December’s Biggest Region

The Caribbean dominates December availability. Sailings spread across the Southern Caribbean, the Western Caribbean and the broader region, with itineraries running from a long weekend to several weeks. Florida is the main gateway: Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) both feature prominently, as does Port Canaveral. A Caribbean cruise in December 2026 is among the most popular searches we see this time of year, and availability across lines and ship sizes is strong.

Southeast Asia, South America and Central America

Southeast Asia is December’s second-largest region, with voyages sailing through Singapore and Hong Kong. These tend to be longer sailings — ideal if you want to make a proper expedition of a December holiday. South America and Central America are also represented for those looking at longer-range itineraries. Because these sailings begin overseas, we can put together flights, hotels and transfers either side of the cruise so the whole trip is handled in one booking.

Which Cruise Lines Sail in December?

MSC Cruises carries the largest share of December sailings, followed by Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line each offer a solid range of itineraries too. For something more boutique, Azamara and Costa Cruises bring their own style to the month. P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and others round out the choice. Whether you want a large resort ship with multiple pools and entertainment venues or a smaller vessel that docks in ports bigger ships cannot reach, December has options across the spectrum.

December Ships Worth Knowing About

MSC World Europa

On board, the Venom Drop @ The Spiral is an 11-deck stainless steel dry slide — the longest of its kind at sea. Chef Niklas Ekstedt’s Chef’s Garden Kitchen brings a Scandinavian fine-dining approach to the main dining programme, while Luna Park Arena adds dodgems and Guinness World Records live events for families. See MSC World Europa cabins and deck plans to find the grade that suits you.

MSC Preziosa

Preziosa’s public spaces are defined by Swarovski crystal staircases and a cobbled Italian piazza — an aesthetic that sets her apart from most ships her size. Vertigo, one of the longest waterslides at sea, sits alongside a 4D cinema, an F1 simulator, a bowling alley and the Platinum Theatre. Guests who want a quieter experience can book into the MSC Yacht Club, which delivers butler service, a private pool deck and exclusive dining. Starlink Wi-Fi runs throughout the ship. Browse MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans for the full grade breakdown.

On Preziosa, cabin grades run as follows:

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica — 16 m², sleeps up to 4; 4 m² more spacious than standard inside grades
• Premium Ocean View Fantastica — 20 m² with a window; 3 m² more than the deluxe ocean-view cabins
• Balcony Aurea — 18 m² cabin with a 4 m² private balcony; larger than the standard balcony grades
• Grand Suite Aurea — 38 m² with an espresso machine, premium minibar and walk-in wardrobe
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite — 40 m² with a separate living room and up to 3 beds; the most spacious Yacht Club option for families

MSC Fantasia

The original Fantasia-class ship, MSC Fantasia pioneered the Swarovski crystal grand staircase that became a design signature across the MSC fleet. She carries five swimming pools, an F1 simulator, a 4D cinema and the Avanguardia Theatre. The Top 18 Exclusive Solarium offers a quieter adults-only sun deck. MSC Yacht Club guests get a ship-within-a-ship experience: 24-hour butler service, a private pool terrace and exclusive dining at L’Etoile restaurant. Check MSC Fantasia cabins and deck plans for the full layout.

Costa Fascinosa

Costa Fascinosa takes her design cues from Italian cinema — interiors inspired by Fellini and Visconti, with gold leaf and deep ruby throughout the public spaces. The Samsara Spa covers 6,000 m² across 2 decks and includes a thalassotherapy pool, with more than 100 spa-access cabins so the spa is steps from your room. The three-deck theatre and the Archipelago restaurant — with 3 Michelin-starred chefs on board — make evenings on Fascinosa something worth planning around. See Costa Fascinosa cabins and deck plans for cabin sizes and positions.

Fascinosa’s cabin grades:

• Inside cabin I4 — 10 m², sleeps up to 4; 1 m² larger than the I1–I3 grades
• Ocean-view cabin E1 — 16 m² with a sea view; the larger of the 2 ocean-view grades
• Balcony cabin B1 — 19 m² with a private balcony for breakfast or sundowners at sea
• Suite GS — 31 m²; 11 m² larger than the Mini-Suite grade for considerably more living space

Azamara Onward

Azamara Onward carries around 692 guests — small enough to dock at 167 ports that larger ships simply cannot reach. Overnight and late-night port stays are Azamara’s calling card, so you get genuinely more time ashore rather than a hurried afternoon. Dining is handled in the manner of a boutique hotel: Prime C Steakhouse, Aqualina Italian and a Caviar & Champagne Bar cater to a small, unhurried crowd. Review Azamara Onward cabins and deck plans if you are weighing up cabin grades.

Azura — P&O’s Refreshed Flagship

P&O’s Azura completed a bow-to-stern refresh in 2025, with new restaurants, bars, cabin décor and corridor carpets throughout. Specialty dining includes Sindhu for modern Indian cuisine and the Glass House, curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith. The 800-seat Playhouse theatre puts on West End-quality aerial acrobatics and shows, and the SeaScreen open-air cinema brings films to the pool deck after dark. Azura sails from Southampton, so many UK passengers can board by road or rail without a flight.

Azura’s cabin grades:

• Larger Inside Cabin OB — 15 m², exclusively on Riviera Deck; a clearly defined location making it easy to find your bearings
• Sea View Cabin LB — 15 m² with an unobstructed sea view; natural light that an inside cabin cannot offer
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin DA — 29 m² with a private balcony for sea air and open views
• Penthouse Suite A1 — 69 m²; the largest suite on board, with a full separate lounge area

What Do December Cruise Fares Include?

Fares vary by cruise line and by the tier you choose. Royal Caribbean offers fare types such as last-minute discounted rates and promotional offers for additional guests — the terms and eligibility vary by sailing, so it is worth speaking to one of our experts to find the best option for your dates. Princess Cruises has a tiered structure: the standard fare covers the cruise itself, while the Princess Plus tier adds casual dining meals per voyage, a beverage package, MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation and reserved theatre seating. Norwegian Cruise Line offers a base fare covering just the cruise, or a Free at Sea-style package that layers in a speciality dining package, a premium beverage package, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits — a good option if you plan to eat off the main menu most evenings.

How to Book a December Cruise with Cruise1st

Cruise1st is one of the UK’s leading cruise specialists, rated 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from over 7,000 reviews, and protected by ABTA and ATOL. Our cruise experts can help you match the right ship, the right cabin grade and the right fare tier to what you actually want from your December holiday. Because the vast majority of December sailings embark overseas, we can wrap the entire trip — flights, pre-cruise hotels, transfers and tours — into a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing is left loose. Browse December cruises from the UK if you want to narrow to UK departure points, or explore December cruises from Southampton specifically.

Planning a Christmas sailing? Our Christmas cruises from Southampton page covers festive departures from the UK, and if you want something shorter, Christmas mini cruises from Southampton covers shorter festive breaks. For all-inclusive options over the holiday period, see all-inclusive Southampton 2026 Christmas cruises or 2026 Christmas cruises across all departure ports. If you are already thinking ahead, 2027 Christmas cruises and Christmas and New Year 2027 all-inclusive cruises are open for booking too.

What About Neighbouring Months?

If your dates are flexible, November cruises and November cruises from Southampton open up additional sailings just before the December rush, while January cruises carry many of the same Caribbean and Southeast Asia itineraries into the new year, often at different price points. Winter cruises covers the full season if you want to compare across all three months at once. You can also browse all cruises from the UK or the full cruise search to explore beyond December.