December Cruises

Cruise-goers will often skip over December when deciding which month to book a holiday because they assume that the waters will be choppy and the weather unpredictable. But in reality, December is a great month for a cruise if you know where to go. Calmer seas, hot temperatures and clear skies are just a few days of sailing or a flight away to the southern hemisphere. And for adventures in the snow, the northern hemisphere is brimming with choice. The extreme seasons around the world at this time of year create plenty of variety, and with great deals to be had, it’s difficult to say no to a December cruise!

In December, the skies are the limit when it comes to your cruise destination choices. But the best cruise for you will depend on whether you want hot weather or don’t mind sailing to chillier spots. And while the majority of destinations are on the colder side at this time of year, there’s still a good mix of cold and hot to decide between.

The summer is in full swing in the Southern Hemisphere, so destinations like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are best for basking in beautiful weather. These areas are hugely popular for some winter sun and the dynamic atmosphere draws visitors in even more. So if hot weather is on your Christmas list, cruises including Cape Town, Auckland and Sydney are the way forward.

For the best cold-weather cruising, head to the north and stop off in Norway, Finland, Northern Germany and Amsterdam where you can cosy up at the Christmas markets and step into postcard-perfect snow-covered scenes.

Cruises in all parts of the world run across the entire festive period. Whether you want to get away for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, New Year’s Day, or all the above, liners like MSC and Costa Cruises can take you wherever you want in style. And with a range of incredible add-ons, activities and experiences to choose from on board and on the shores, you can make it a truly unforgettable Christmas tailored to you.

Cruising in December is an undoubtedly extraordinary experience. Whether you’re sailing to winter sun or embracing the cold in more wintry destinations, the biggest reason to cruise at this time is to celebrate the festive period away from home. When you compare a December cruise with a January cruise, the biggest difference is that all the festive celebrations are packed into the last month of the year. Christmas light switch-on events, markets, fireworks displays, and traditional festivals are just a few of the experiences and activities on offer in the huge variety of port destinations. And because of the abundance of things to do, you can end up paying a premium for some destinations which can be avoided by booking well in advance in many cases.

If the festive activities are less important to you than the weather, there’s very little difference between the two months. In the southern hemisphere, temperatures might climb slightly higher in January, while the weather in the north stays mostly chilly.