Christmas Cruises
Sprinkle a little extra magic on the festive season and experience the joy of our luxury Christmas cruises in 2024 or 2025.
If you’ve ever dreamed of spending Christmas on a cruise ship, you’ve come to the right place. From relaxing ocean and river cruises to off-the-beaten-track expeditions to Antarctica, our range of Xmas cruises caters to everyone. We offer hundreds of itineraries with over thirty of the world’s finest cruise lines to spectacular destinations worldwide, with unbeatable fares and special offers on many voyages.
What is Christmas like on a cruise ship?
Celebrating the Xmas period on a cruise ship can be a wonderful experience, with nearly every operator pulling out all the stops to ensure you have an experience brimming with Christmas cheer. From the moment you step onboard, you’ll be greeted by twinkling lights, decorations and the excited air of anticipation.
After setting sail, the rest of your time is enhanced by themed activities and entertainment, guaranteeing a holiday you’ll never forget. Of course, should you choose a cruise that coincides with Christmas Day, you’ll enjoy a meal with all the trimmings, with the benefit of not having to clear up afterwards!
Cruising during the festive season offers something enjoyable for everyone. For instance, couples seeking an alternative to traditional celebrations will discover that lines like Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, and Celebrity Cruises are ideal due to their elegant surroundings, diverse dining options, and range of itineraries.
On the other hand, families will appreciate the multi-generational appeal of P&O Cruises, MSC, and Royal Caribbean, which cater to adults and children. Meanwhile, solo travellers will find a welcoming atmosphere aboard Fred Olsen, Silversea, and Ponant, with special events dedicated to those exploring alone.
Where to cruise at Christmas?
Whether you dream of a sun-drenched winter escape or want a classically Christmassy setting for your holiday, you’ll find no shortage of options when deciding where to cruise at Christmas. The Caribbean stands out as a top choice—picture yourself on a pristine beach, savouring a cocktail on the big day. But if you prefer a closer-to-home celebration, P&O Cruises and Cunard offer festive journeys to the Canary Islands, departing stress-free from Southampton—no flights required.
Alternatively, to immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas, why not consider a river cruise? AmaWaterways and Scenic River Cruises offer a range of itineraries to Europe’s best Christmas markets in cities like Vienna, Cologne, and Prague. Or, for an unforgettable winter wonderland adventure, set sail with Hurtigruten on a Northern Lights cruise departing from Dover. Spend six enchanting days above the Arctic Circle, seeking out the mesmerising Aurora Borealis while revelling in various festive activities.
Finally, for the ultimate White Christmas experience, we recommend looking into the Antarctica expedition cruises offered by lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Lindblad Expeditions. Not only are you guaranteed to see some snow – and lots of it – but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore The White Continent in-depth before on a series of shore excursions and Zodiac trips.
Christmas Cruises from Southampton and other UK ports
Opting for a cruise that departs from Southampton or another UK port presents many advantages, especially during Christmas. Firstly, it eliminates the hassle of international flights, which will eliminate stress, especially during one of the busiest times of year for airports. Travel by car, coach or train to your chosen port, enjoy a seamless embarkation process and get ready to immerse yourself in festivities during the most wonderful time of year.
If you’d prefer to avoid flying to an overseas embarkation port, we’d recommend choosing an itinerary that departs from one of the many UK ports. Cruising from the UK has never been so popular, so several fantastic cruises are available with the following operators:
- Ambassador Cruise Lines (London Tilbury)
- Cunard (Southampton)
- Fred Olsen Cruise Lines (Liverpool, Portsmouth, Southampton)
- Hurtigruten Expeditions (Dover)
- MSC Cruises (Southampton)
- P&O Cruises (Southampton
In 2024 and 2025, the lines above will offer itineraries to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and Northern Europe. Highlights include a 10-night Baltic cruise with P&O Cruises that visits Amsterdam and Copenhagen and a 19-night Queen Mary 2 sailing from Southampton to New York in 2024, which includes calls to a collection of Caribbean islands, including St Maarten, Barbados, and St Lucia.
Christmas Cruise Deals
As one of the UK’s leading luxury cruise specialists, we offer some of the best Christmas cruise deals. Choose from a collection of voyages and take advantage of free cabin upgrades, complimentary onboard credit, and fares, including drinks and WiFi on selected sailings. Furthermore, thanks to our partnership with luxury operators like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Seabourn, we can offer discounted fares on various cruises departing through December 2024 and 2025.
In addition to our Christmas deals, we can specialise in tailoring every aspect of your winter holiday to suit your preferences. Using our international network of hotel suppliers, tour operators and airlines, we can add optional extras such as extended in-destination stays, bespoke tour experiences and even little luxuries like chauffeur transfers between your home and the airport. Just ask your Voyage Consultant for details when making your enquiry.
What makes us so special? Our prices are often better than what the operators advertise, and you won’t find this many deals anywhere else. However, due to demand, you’ll find some voyages can sell out up to 18 months in advance, so we’d recommend booking early to ensure you get your desired accommodation on your chosen voyage.
Book your Christmas cruise with us.
If you want to spend Christmas on a cruise, you’ll find our full range of festive itineraries for 2024, 2025 and 2026 below. To learn more or to receive an unbeatable quote for your cruise, call our team at 0800 008 6677 and let your dedicated Voyage Consultant do the rest. Alternatively, please submit an online enquiry for your preferred cruise.