Christmas cruises 2026

Christmas at sea means waking up to warm weather, being waited on while the coastline slides past your balcony, and spending the day exactly as you please — no cooking, no washing up, no relatives to ferry around. All 32 sailings depart and return to Australian ports, the majority are round trips, and prices start from A$279 pp*. Whether you want a short break or something more substantial, there is a sailing here that fits.

Where do Christmas 2026 cruises go?

Around Australia

The biggest share of Christmas sailings hug the Australian coastline — a route that rewards anyone who has always meant to see more of their own country. Mornings on deck with a coffee, afternoons ashore, and evenings in the restaurant: it is a genuinely easy way to travel. Sailings leave from both Sydney and Brisbane, so depending on where you live, joining the ship may need nothing more than a drive across town. Explore the full Australia cruises range if you want to see every option year-round.

The South Pacific

If you want to spend Christmas somewhere that genuinely feels like an escape, a South Pacific sailing is hard to argue with. These itineraries push out into the blue from Sydney and Brisbane, reaching islands where the pace of life is slower and the water is clear enough to see the bottom. The South Pacific from Sydney in 2026 is a particularly popular pick, and it is easy to see why — you board, and the islands come to you.

New Zealand

A handful of Christmas sailings head south to New Zealand, combining the warmth of an Australian summer departure with scenery of a completely different kind — fjords, volcanic peaks and historic harbour towns. These are longer itineraries and well suited to anyone who wants to mark the festive period with something they will genuinely remember. The Princess Cruises 2025/2026 Australia and New Zealand itinerary range covers many of these routes in detail.

Which ports can I sail from?

The vast majority of Christmas 2026 sailings depart from Sydney — including from White Bay in Sydney Harbour — with a strong programme also leaving from Brisbane. A single sailing departs from Perth (Fremantle). If you are not local to your chosen port, CruiseAway can book your domestic flights, a hotel the night before, and any transfers so that the whole journey is covered in one place. For a closer look at what is on offer by port, see Christmas cruises from Sydney 2026 or Christmas cruises from Brisbane.

3 of the 32 sailings are one-way itineraries — if yours ends in a different city from where you boarded, a domestic flight connects the two and we can arrange that for you alongside everything else.

Which cruise lines sail at Christmas 2026?

Royal Caribbean brings some of its most technically impressive ships to Australian waters for the festive season, while Celebrity Cruises offers a more refined, design-led experience with excellent dining at its heart. Princess Cruises is a perennial favourite for longer, port-rich itineraries to New Zealand and beyond, and Norwegian Cruise Line gives you the freedom to set your own daily schedule with its freestyle cruising approach. At the premium end, Oceania Cruises sets a high standard for cuisine and destination focus. Carnival Cruise Line brings the most sailings of any line this Christmas — if you are after a lively, entertainment-packed holiday that is great value for families, it is the natural starting point. You can also browse Norwegian Christmas and January cruises if Norwegian Cruise Line is your preference.

Which ships are sailing at Christmas 2026?

Carnival Adventure

Sailing from Sydney, Carnival Adventure is built with Australian tastes firmly in mind — fresh local produce, unpretentious service, and activities that span every age and energy level. Thrill-seekers can zip-line and climb above the open deck; those after something quieter can claim a sun lounger at the adults-only Serenity Retreat. Families with children will appreciate Camp Ocean, which keeps younger guests thoroughly occupied while parents enjoy some actual holiday time. If you want to know exactly where you will be sleeping, the Carnival Adventure cabins and deck plans are worth a look before you book. Cabin options run from a 15 m² inside cabin (grade 4A, with a walk-in wardrobe and generous storage) up to the 58 m² Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite with its expansive balcony and dressing area — more than twice the size of a standard balcony cabin.

Carnival Encounter

Purpose-built for the Australian market and sailing year-round from Brisbane, Carnival Encounter is the local adventure ship. With more than 60 daily activities — from laser tag and waterslides to cooking classes — there is genuinely no excuse for boredom. Kids have Camp Ocean; adults have the Serenity Retreat; and the two barely overlap, which is exactly as it should be on a family Christmas holiday. See the Carnival Encounter cabins and deck plans for the full range, from a 15 m² porthole ocean-view cabin to the 57 m² Byron Beach Club Presidential Suite on Deck 15 — the largest on board and the highest position on the ship.

Carnival Splendor

One of Australia’s best-loved fun ships, Carnival Splendor sails from Sydney and knows how to throw a party. The Punchliner Comedy Club, a full waterpark and the Serenity Retreat for adults mean there is something to suit every mood. Check the Carnival Splendor cabins and deck plans to compare your options before committing.

Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas sails from Sydney and is one of the most activity-rich ships afloat. You can soar above the ocean in the iconic North Star observation pod, body-surf the FlowRider, skate the SeaPlex rink, or try a circus skills class — and that is before you get to the world-class theatre and live music programme in the evenings. After all that, the adults-only glass-domed Solarium pool is a welcome place to decompress. The Anthem of the Seas cabins and deck plans include everything from a 15.4 m² inside cabin with virtual balcony — a high-resolution live sea view in place of a window — right up to the two-level Royal Loft Suite at 152.4 m², sleeping up to 6 guests. For a full picture of what Royal Caribbean offers from Sydney this season, see Royal Caribbean cruises from Sydney 2026, and for the Christmas programme specifically, Royal Caribbean Christmas cruises 2026 Australia.

Quantum of the Seas

Sailing from Brisbane, Quantum of the Seas offers some of the most technologically inventive experiences at sea. The iFLY skydiving simulator and the North Star pod are headline features, but evenings in Two70° — where the back wall transforms into an immersive wraparound screen — are equally hard to forget. With sailings ranging from short breaks to longer voyages, this ship suits anyone who wants a proper adventure without using all of their annual leave at once. Browse the Quantum of the Seas cabins and deck plans to find the right fit.

Celebrity Edge

For a more sophisticated Christmas at sea, Celebrity Edge is in a class of its own. The Magic Carpet — a cantilevered platform suspended 16 storeys above the ocean — serves cocktails and seafood with uninterrupted sea views, while the Infinite Veranda cabins open the entire wall of your stateroom to the fresh air and morning light. Eden, the ship’s three-level living garden space, is unlike anything else afloat. See the Celebrity Edge cabins and deck plans for the full range of accommodation options.

What are the fare options?

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers several fare structures across its Christmas sailings. The BOGO 60% Off promotion gives the second guest up to 60% off — a strong saving for couples. There is also a Balcony Upgrade offer across Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas sailings, last-minute discounted fares for those booking close to departure, and a 3rd and 4th guest offer that brings additional travellers aboard at a reduced cruise fare (taxes and port expenses apply separately to all guests). Your CruiseAway consultant can confirm which promotions apply to the specific sailing you are considering.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises sails with a clear tiered structure. The Standard fare covers the cruise itself, keeping the upfront cost as low as possible. The Princess Plus fare bundles in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (with a daily limit of 15 drinks), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating — a genuinely useful package for most travellers. The Princess Cruises Australia 2026/2027 season launch has more detail on the full programme.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises offers 3 tiers. The cruise-only rate gives you the lowest headline fare with extras added later. The best-value tier includes a classic drinks package and basic Wi-Fi in one price. At the top end, The Retreat is a suite-level experience encompassing premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, exclusive lounge and sundeck access, private dining and dedicated personal service.

Are there discounts on Christmas 2026 cruises?

A number of Christmas 2026 sailings are available at a reduced price — with savings of up to 33% off the highest listed price for that sailing. If you are flexible about exactly which sailing you choose, it is worth asking your CruiseAway consultant which departures are currently marked down. You can also browse the wider Christmas cruises collection if you want to compare options across different years.

Make it a complete Christmas holiday

CruiseAway is a cruise specialist — every booking is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. If you need flights to reach your embarkation port, we can book those alongside your cruise, together with hotels the night before, transfers to and from the terminal, tours ashore and travel insurance, all on one booking. There is no need to piece it together yourself. Whether you want a simple return cruise from your home-state port or a more involved trip that combines a fly-in from interstate with island time and a Christmas Day at sea, we will put it together for you. For those already thinking beyond the festive season, our New Year’s Eve cruise 2026 options are the natural next step, and the broader 2026 cruises programme covers the full year if you are planning further ahead. If 2027 is on your radar, the cruise around Australia 2027 range is worth exploring too.

*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.