The Best Christmas Cruises 2025 & 2026

Best Christmas Cruises to Book Now for 2025 & 2026

2. Cunard's Christmas Caribbean Voyages

A classic festive experience awaits with Cunard and you can immerse yourself in the excitement of New York City during the holiday season before boarding the elegant Queen Mary 2 for an extended 20-night voyage in 2025. Similar December 2026 voyages include a Southampton to New York sailing on 12 December, spending the relaxed days around Christmas and New Year sailing between sun-soaked Caribbean islands before an iconic transatlantic voyage brings you to the Big Apple.

On board enjoy Cunard's festive celebrations, with special traditions like festive menus and carol singing plus beautiful decorations including the sparkling Christmas tree standing proud in the Grand Lobby.

3. A white Christmas in Antarctica

If you want to experience a guaranteed white Christmas, there's nowhere quite like Antarctica. You may want a little more time to plan for this unforgettable adventure, so look ahead to next year and experience Seabourn's Great White Continent expedition on board the beautiful Seabourn Venture on 18th December 2026.

December is a great time to visit Antarctica with long, bright days and active wildlife, plus you will spend a Christmas Day like no other as you immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes during guided hikes and Zodiac tours.

4. Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot in the Arctic

Another option worth planning well in advance is Ponant's new season itineraries for their pioneering polar explorer Le Commandant Charcot, featuring a selection of unique winter Arctic voyages.

Their 22 December 2026 Christmas sailing features a rare opportunity to cruise in the Baltic during winter, including the Stockholm Archipelago, Kaamos during the polar night and the snow-covered landscapes of Swedish and Finnish Lapland, for a truly magical festive getaway with the likes of snowshoeing and reindeer farm visits, and (at an additional cost) snowmobiling and husky sledding, returning each day to the cocooning luxuries of the ship, or depart just before or after Christmas to maintain that festive feel.

5. Enjoy Christmas on a Yacht

If snow is not on your holiday wish list, why not join the 100-guest yachts SeaDream I or Sea Dream II this December 2025 or 2026 and you can look forward to a Christmas Day spent pottering around the pristine Caribbean beaches of Anguilla or the British Virgin Islands.

Discover the hidden gems of sleepy Nevis, take to the turqoise waters of Jost van Dyke and explore the hidden bays and water-level caves of Norman Island, returning to the laid-back luxury of your SeaDream yacht.

6. Summertime Christmas in Australia and New Zealand

Perhaps 2026 is the year to experience the warmth of a summertime Christmas in Australia and New Zealand. Silversea's holiday sailing on 18 December 2026 on the beautiful 596-guest Silver Moon includes stops in all of Australia and New Zealand's icons, with Christmas Day exploring iconic Milford Sound, and New Year's Eve spent whale watching in Eden before popping the corks on board.

Silversea's beautiful and intimate ships offer the perfect holiday sailing with a balance of bucket-list sightseeing and relaxing sea days to see out the year in style.

7. Emerald's Seychelles Island Hopping Christmas Cruise

The Indian Ocean is a classic destination for some winter sun and Emerald's brand-new 128-guest yacht Emerald Kaia enjoys an idyllic Seychelles itinerary on 20 December 2026 sailing round-trip from Mahé.

Spend the days before Christmas island-hopping around these paradise islands, from little Cousin Island home to hawksbill turtles, giant tortoises and the highest concentration of lizards in the world; the island of Praslin home to the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai, a protected forest where you'll see the rare coco de mer, a tree that produces the world's largest seed and palm flower; and lovely little La Digue, every inch the desert island idyll with some of the most beautiful in the Seychelles. There's even the option to tag on a safari pre-cruise departing on 12 December 2026 for the ultimate Christmas getaway.

8. Seabourn's South East Asia Exploration

Alternatively, perhaps the culture, cuisine and beautiful landscapes of South East Asia can tempt you. Seabourn's 600-guest Seabourn Encore departs vibrant Singapore for Hong Kong on 21 December 2026 for a classic Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia exploration, including buzzing Bangkok, historic Ho Chi Minh City and idyllic Ha Long Bay, with Christmas Day in Ko Kut, one of Thailand's prettiest islands, with powder-soft sands, crystal clear waters and beautiful waterfalls.

On board you will enjoy Christmas festivities and ring in the New Year at sea, enjoying Seabourn's luxury all-inclusive experience with festive touches including elaborate holiday feasts, special events and entertainment, glittering decorations and a host of onboard surprises.

9. Ponant's Island Adventures

We love Ponant's unique itineraries and the sleek yacht Le Dumont d'Urville will explore South Africa and Madagascar on 17 December 2026 on an enriching voyage next year.

Discover the KwaZulu-Natal province and its Zulu villages, undulating hills and wildlife including crocodiles, hippos and the rare black rhino; Toliara in Madagascar for great snorkelling and diving; and of course, one of the most famous sights in Madagascar, the Avenue of the Baobabs. Spot endemic wildlife including common brown lemurs, sifakas and fossa as well as numerous species of lemur and chameleon, and call in to the small, turtle-shaped island of Nosy Komba for lovely beaches and calm waters, ending in Nosy Be.