Christmas cruises

Where do Christmas cruises go?

Christmas and New Year sailings cover more of the globe than any other season. The vast majority head to the Caribbean, making it comfortably the most popular region for December departures — a mix of round-trip and one-way itineraries, with Florida ports doing the bulk of the embarkation work. Beyond the Caribbean, sailings spread across Southeast Asia, the Western Mediterranean, South America and the Mexican Riviera. There is also a handful of departures closer to home, including Australia and the South Pacific and New Zealand. Trip lengths in this period typically run around 7 nights, though itineraries range from short 4-night breaks to extended voyages of 75 nights.

Which regions are most popular for Christmas sailings?

The Caribbean — the heart of the season

The Caribbean draws more Christmas cruisers than anywhere else. Both the main Caribbean and Western Caribbean are strongly represented, with sailings departing from Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) in Florida. Worth noting: those 2 ports are about half an hour apart, so a Florida Christmas trip can sail from either — always worth checking both for dates and prices. Lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines each run a strong Caribbean programme over the festive period, with itineraries visiting islands across the region.

Southeast Asia — a different kind of Christmas

If the Caribbean feels predictable, Southeast Asia is the festive alternative gaining real traction. Singapore is the main hub for this region, with sailings calling at ports across Southeast Asia. Lines such as MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises operate itineraries through this part of the world. For anyone based in Australia, Southeast Asia is a practical choice — it’s closer than the Caribbean and the time zone difference is gentler. If you’re travelling from another Australian state, a short domestic connection gets you to your departure port far more easily than a transatlantic journey would.

Western Mediterranean and beyond

The Western Mediterranean is well represented, with sailings departing from ports in Spain and Italy. MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises both operate in this region over Christmas. Southampton in England also features as a departure point, with P&O Cruises sailings including Azura — a ship refurbished inside and out in 2025, with fresh restaurants, bars and cabins. The 800-seat Playhouse hosts West End-quality aerial acrobatics, and SeaScreen shows films under the stars on deck.

South America and the Mexican Riviera

South America is another option for a longer Christmas voyage, with itineraries running south from North American ports. The Mexican Riviera — sailing from the US West Coast — is a shorter, sun-filled alternative that suits anyone who wants a relaxed festive break without committing to a long-haul flight. Los Angeles and Southampton feature among the departure points available across this period.

Close to home — Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

A smaller share of sailings departs from Australian waters, heading to New Zealand, the South Pacific and around Australia itself. If you live near one of these departure ports, you can board without a flight at all — just a drive or a train. If you’re travelling from interstate, it’s a short domestic hop to the departure city, which is a far simpler start to a holiday than a long-haul flight to reach a Caribbean or Mediterranean ship. Check the Christmas cruises from Sydney and Christmas cruises from Brisbane pages for port-specific options.

Which cruise lines have Christmas sailings?

MSC Cruises leads the field for Christmas departures by volume, followed by Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises are all well represented too. Between them, these lines cover the full range — from family-friendly mega-ships packed with waterslides and entertainment venues, to more refined experiences with butler service and exclusive dining. If you’re unsure which line suits your style, our cruise experts can walk you through the differences.

What are the ships like?

Several ships sailing over Christmas are worth knowing in more detail. Here’s what distinguishes the most active vessels in this period.

MSC Preziosa

From the moment you board, the crystal staircases and Italianate piazza tell you this is a ship built for beauty. Sea days are never dull: there’s a 120 m waterslide, 4D movies, a Formula 1 simulator and Broadway-style productions filling the evenings. For those who want the finest experience on board, the MSC Yacht Club delivers a private butler, an exclusive pool and gourmet dining — a ship within a ship. See the full range of MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans to find your grade.

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

MSC Fantasia

The ship that set the template for MSC’s Italian glamour — the crystal staircase has been stopping guests in their tracks since 2008. Five pools, waterslides, a 4D cinema and an F1 simulator mean families and solo travellers find their own space without competing for it. Book into the MSC Yacht Club and the ship becomes a private retreat, complete with a dedicated pool, restaurant and butler. Explore MSC Fantasia cabin grades and deck layouts before you book.

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica — 17 m², sleeps 4
• Premium Ocean View Fantastica — 18 m², sleeps 4; midship on deck 5 for a stable, quiet position
• Balcony Aurea — 19 m², sleeps 4; upper decks with shorter routes to the pool and bar areas
• Grand Suite Aurea — 38 m², sleeps 4; one of the most spacious suites on board with a large wardrobe
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite with Balcony — 36 m²; your own balcony for private moments at sea

MSC Musica

Step aboard through a grand atrium framed by a cascading three-tiered waterfall — the centrepiece of the ship. Every evening brings a spectacular live show for up to 1,200 guests in the onboard theatre: acrobatics, song and dance. Dining ranges from fresh sushi to a premium steakhouse, all without leaving the ship. Check MSC Musica cabin and deck options if you’re considering this ship.

• Inside cabin Bella I1 — 14 m², sleeps 4; 4 m² larger than the smallest inside grade
• Ocean-view cabin Bella O1 with obstructed view — 16 m², sleeps 4; partially obstructed by lifeboats, a more affordable ocean-view option
• Super family balcony cabin FLA — 40 m², sleeps 4; more than twice the size of a standard balcony, ideal for families
• Aurea Suite S3 — 28 m², sleeps 5; the largest in this selection
• MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite — 47 m², sleeps 4; separate living area and dining room, more than twice the space of a standard Yacht Club suite

MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica’s Aurea Spa includes a genuine salt grotto — a halotherapy cave unique to this class of ship. Evenings bring a 1,200-seat Broadway show or a 4D film. The MSC Yacht Club enclave provides a private pool, restaurant and butler service for those who want a quieter, more exclusive experience within the larger ship. View MSC Magnifica cabins and decks for the full picture.

MSC Seashore

MSC Seashore’s outdoor decks place you right on the edge of the water — there’s a glass walkway 22 metres above the ocean for those who want the full effect. The waterpark has zip lines, a race simulator and a fountain island. Ashore on the ship, a New York-inspired district is lit by a massive LED wall, with a glass sculpture rising four decks high. See the MSC Seashore cabin grades and deck plans for more.

What do fare types cover?

Fare inclusions vary by cruise line, and choosing the right tier before you book can make a meaningful difference to what your holiday actually costs.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a base cruise fare covering the sailing itself, with fare types such as last-minute offers and early booking bonuses (which can include onboard credit) available on select sailings. A solo fare is available for guests travelling alone in a stateroom. Our cruise experts can advise on which fare suits your travel dates and plans.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a lowest fare option covering just the cruise, as well as an all-inclusive fare that adds a premium beverage package, a speciality dining package, Wi-Fi, and shore excursion credits per port. A further premium tier extends this with even broader dining access. The difference between tiers can be significant over a 7-night sailing.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises sails with a Standard fare — the cruise itself — and a Princess Plus package that adds beverages up to A$15 per drink (with a daily limit), 4 casual dining meals per voyage, MedallionNet® Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating. It’s a practical bundle for anyone who doesn’t want to think about extras once on board.

Are there discounts on Christmas cruises?

Reduced fares are available across a good proportion of Christmas sailings, with discounts measured from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing. Reductions vary widely: most discounted sailings are around 10% off, while the maximum saving available reaches up to 50% on a single departure. If you spot a fare that looks right, it’s worth booking — Christmas sailings at popular discounts do move quickly. Our Best Price Guarantee means if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere, we’ll match it.

All-inclusive Christmas cruises

A significant portion of Christmas sailings are available with all-inclusive fare options, covering drinks, dining and sometimes Wi-Fi and gratuities. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea packages are a strong example — beverages, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits bundled in from the outset. Princess Cruises’ Plus fare works similarly. For anyone who wants to budget in advance and avoid per-item charges on board, an all-inclusive tier is worth comparing against the base fare before you confirm. Our cruise experts can run the numbers for your itinerary.

Why book your Christmas cruise with CruiseAway?

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every booking we make is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package, which means our team knows these ships, these fares and these itineraries in detail. Most Christmas sailings depart from ports in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain or Italy, so for most travellers the cruise is the centrepiece of a longer trip. We can arrange flights from your home city, hotels the night before you board or the night after you disembark, transfers between the airport and the port, and travel insurance — all on one booking through our DreamAway Packages. If your departure is from an Australian port, we can help with any domestic connections too.

We also help you choose the cabin grade and fare inclusions that fit your circumstances — whether that’s a family needing 4 berths, a couple wanting a balcony, or a solo traveller looking for the right fare structure. That’s where booking with a specialist, rather than directly with the cruise line, makes the practical difference.

Top alternatives for festive cruising

If the sailings in this period don’t match your dates or budget, there are several closely related options worth exploring. Christmas cruises from Sydney 2026 and Christmas cruises from Brisbane narrow the search to specific Australian home ports. For a Caribbean focus, Christmas sailings from the USA and Canada cover the Florida and Gulf departure ports in more detail. Norwegian Cruise Line fans may find the Norwegian Christmas and January cruises page useful, while those planning ahead can browse Christmas cruises for 2027 or Christmas cruises 2027 across all regions. If you’re thinking about the new year too, New Year’s Eve cruises run directly on from the Christmas period and many itineraries span both. For January departures once the festive period ends, cruises from Brisbane in January 2027 and cruises from Sydney in January 2027 are the natural next step.

Browsing all available cruises in the December–January window is also a good way to compare what’s on sale across lines and regions side by side.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.