1. Christmas Market Cruises
Visiting some of Europe's magnificent Christmas markets is a great way to get in the festive spirit and a river cruise offers the chance to sail between romantic cities, perfectly illuminated and decorated for the festive season.
The markets themselves sometimes operate until just before Christmas so take a voyage in the first weeks of December if you'd like to experience these iconic events in the lead up to the big day.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways have a plenty of Christmas itineraries sailing the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle, and we particularly like their short five-night itinerary operating throughout December 2024 and 2025 with overnights in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna to experience these iconic cities by day and by night.
On all AmaWaterways Christmas Market itineraries you can enjoy festive traditions, a holiday feast and seasonal décor on board.
Uniworld
If you'd like a longer voyage, Uniworld's special Danube sailing on 23rd December 2024 and 2025 spends Christmas Day in Salzburg with a festive lunch within the walls of St. Peter's Abbey, and New Year's Eve in dynamic Budapest for a gala dinner and celebration.
Riverside Luxury Cruises
We also love the three- and four-night itineraries from Riverside Luxury Cruises operating throughout December 2024 and 2025 offering a great value festive getaway and the chance to visit a Christmas market or two.
The elegant Riverside Mozart then rounds out 2024 with an 11-night Exhilarating Celebrations on the Danube voyage over Christmas and New Year, during which you can spend Christmas Day 2024 exploring historic Passau and enjoy the New Year's celebrations in Bratislava to ring in 2025 in style, or next year set sail on Boxing Day on the same route.
2. Cunard's Caribbean Voyage
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 2024 and 2025. Spend the relaxed days around Christmas and New Year sailing between sun-soaked Caribbean islands before an iconic transatlantic voyage brings you back into Southampton.
On board, expect Cunard's 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
Of course, 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 2025.
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 Arctic voyages.
Their 2024 Christmas music-themed sailing features festive concerts from a range of guest musicians and offers the rare opportunity to cruise in the Baltic during winter. Guests will immerse in the enchanting and illuminated towns surrounding the lesser-travelled Gulf of Bothnia, including the snow-covered landscapes of Swedish and Finnish Lapland, for a truly magical festive getaway.
5. Enjoy a yachtsman's paradise
Join SeaDream I or II this December or next and you can look forward to a Christmas Day spent pottering around the pristine beaches of the St Barths or Anguilla.
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
If snow is not on your holiday wish list, then perhaps 2025 is the year to experience the warmth of a summertime Christmas in Australia and New Zealand.
Silversea's beautiful and intimate ships offerthe perfect holiday sailing with a balance of bucket-list sightseeing and relaxing sea days to see out the year in style.
7. Crystal's Caribbean Cruise
If you have something warm in mind, the Caribbean is a classic destination for some winter sun and limited availability remains on Crystal's round-trip Fort Lauderdale itinerary on 18th December 2024 if you'd like to get away this year, or next year on 22nd December to San Jose.
Spend the days before Christmas island-hopping from Puerto Rico to Saint Martin, Saint Kitts, and Dominica and enjoy several sea days to relax and use the facilities on board the refurbished Crystal Serenity, festively adorned with decorations.
8. Regent's South Africa Exploration
Alternatively, for a Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere, perhaps the wild landscapes of southern Africa can tempt you. Regent's beautiful Seven Seas Splendor visits on a 21st December 2024 voyage from Cape Town, with overnight calls to explore the treasures of this a river cruise offers the chance to sail between romantic cities, perfectly illuminated and decorated for the festive season. region in depth, including Namibia's birdwatching paradise of Walvis Bay, and Richards Bay, gateway to the game reserves of the KwaZulu-Natal region.
On board you will enjoy Christmas festivities and ring in the New Year, enjoying Regent's luxury all-inclusive experience with festive touches including elaborate holiday feasts and special events.
9. Ponant's Island Adventures
We love Ponant's unique itineraries and the sleek yacht Le Lapérouse explores Malaysia and Thailand on an enriching voyage this year, combining serene tropical landscapes with cultural and historic riches. The 20th December 2024 voyage visits multicultural Penang and paradisiacal Langkawi, and you will enjoy Christmas Day with a difference on anmidyllic beach.
Next year, more island treasures await with a tropical expedition on board Le Jacques-Cartier on 23rd December 2025, exploring the Indonesian archipelago and East Timor. Discover little-known remote outposts including the biodiverse waters of Triton Bay and Banda Neira's intriguing history as one of the legendary Spice Islands during this fascinating adventure.