December 2026 cruisesup to -50%

December 2026 is one of the most popular months to cruise, and the range of sailings on offer reflects that. The Caribbean leads by a wide margin, with South East Asia a strong second and Australia rounding out the top regions closer to home. Voyages run from short getaways of 4 nights to extended adventures of 48 nights, with most sitting around 8 nights — long enough to feel like a proper holiday. The vast majority are ocean sailings, with a single river cruise also available for those who prefer inland waterways.

Where do December 2026 cruises go?

The destinations on offer in December 2026 split neatly into two groups: those close to home in this part of the world, and the long-haul voyages that make December a genuinely exciting month to be at sea.

Close to home — South East Asia, Australia and the Pacific

South East Asia is the standout close-to-home option, with a strong selection of sailings departing from and arriving into ports including Singapore and Hong Kong. If you live near a departure port, you might need no flight at all — or at most a short domestic hop to reach the ship. On one-way itineraries through the region, the voyage ends in a different city, and a domestic connection links the two; we can book that leg along with hotels and transfers as part of the same holiday.

Sailings around Australia depart from Sydney, making December a practical option for anyone on the east coast. If you’re travelling from another state, a short domestic flight gets you to the port quickly — nothing like the long-haul journey needed for a Caribbean sailing. Christmas cruises from Sydney are particularly popular in this window, and New Zealand and the South Pacific also feature among the sailings based closer to home.

The long haul — Caribbean, Mediterranean, South America and beyond

The Caribbean dominates December departures overall. Sailings leave from Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) — the two busiest embarkation ports in the facts — as well as from Los Angeles and San Diego on the west coast. Miami and Fort Lauderdale are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can sail from either — worth checking both for dates and prices. For Caribbean sailings, we book the flights from Australia, hotels either side and transfers as one package, so the cruise really is the middle of a proper holiday rather than an afterthought.

The South America region also sails in December, making it a tempting option for anyone wanting something a little different. The South Pacific and the Western Mediterranean round out the picture, with Southampton featuring among the embarkation ports for Mediterranean voyages.

If you have your heart set on a Christmas 2026 cruise, December is obviously the month — and the Christmas cruises Australia 2026 page goes deeper into what’s available locally.

Which cruise lines sail in December 2026?

MSC Cruises has the largest presence, followed closely by Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises each have a solid range of sailings, and Celebrity Cruises rounds out the major lines. P&O Cruises, Holland America Line and Viking River Cruises also sail this month, as do AmaWaterways for the river cruise on offer.

Are there cruises in December 2026 from Sydney or Brisbane?

Yes — cruises from Sydney in December 2026 include a good mix of local itineraries and longer voyages, and cruises from Brisbane in December 2026 also depart this month. If you’re planning ahead, it’s worth comparing both ports against what’s sailing from each. Christmas cruises from Brisbane in 2026 are a separate page if that’s specifically what you’re looking for.

What ships are sailing in December 2026?

Several well-known ships are active across the December 2026 programme. Here are some of the vessels sailing this month and what sets them apart.

Azura — P&O Cruises

Azura went through a comprehensive renewal in 2025, with fresh restaurants, bars and cabins throughout. The 800-seat Playhouse stages aerial acrobatics of a West End standard, and the SeaScreen lets you watch a film out on deck under the open sky. Wine lovers will find the Glass House — with pairings curated by TV wine expert Olly Smith — a very easy place to spend a sea day. Azura cabin grades range from a 15 m² inside room on Riviera Deck to a 69 m² Penthouse Suite A1, one of the most spacious suites afloat. See the full range on the Azura cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Preziosa — MSC Cruises

MSC Preziosa announces itself from the moment you board — crystal staircases and an Italianate piazza set the tone immediately. Sea days are filled with a 120 m waterslide, 4D movies, a Formula 1 simulator and Broadway-style shows. Families who book into the MSC Yacht Club gain access to a private pool, exclusive restaurant and butler service as part of the deal. Cabin options run from a 16 m² Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica through to a 40 m² MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite, which sleeps 4 and includes a separate living room. Full details are on the MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Fantasia — MSC Cruises

MSC Fantasia established the template for MSC’s Italian glamour when she launched in 2008, and the crystal staircase still stops guests in their tracks. Five pools, waterslides, a 4D cinema and an F1 simulator give families and solo guests plenty of space without competing for it. The MSC Yacht Club operates as a ship within the ship — a private pool, restaurant and butler service in their own dedicated section. Cabin grades go from a 17 m² Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica to a 38 m² Grand Suite Aurea with a large wardrobe; see everything on the MSC Fantasia cabins and deck plans page.

MSC World Europa — MSC Cruises

MSC World Europa is MSC’s most ambitious ship — LNG-powered and packed with surprises. The headline feature is an 11-deck stainless steel dry slide, the longest at sea. Luna Park Arena, a Guinness World Records attempt arena and a Nordic chef’s table are among the many reasons a sea day here never drags. Cabin and deck plan details are on the MSC World Europa cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica — MSC Cruises

MSC Magnifica is notable for its Aurea Spa, which includes a genuine halotherapy salt grotto unique to this class. The 1,200-seat theatre hosts Broadway-calibre shows nightly, and the MSC Yacht Club offers the same private-enclave experience as the rest of the MSC fleet. MSC Musica, meanwhile, opens with a grand atrium framed by a cascading three-tiered waterfall, serves everything from fresh sushi to premium steak, and fills its 1,200-seat theatre with acrobatics, song and dance each evening. Deck plan details are available for MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica.

What fare options are available in December 2026?

The fare structure varies by cruise line, and knowing what’s included before you book makes a real difference to the overall cost.

Royal Caribbean offers several tiers across its December sailings. The BOGO promotion gives the second guest up to 60% off on select sailings. A Last-Minute Fare is available for flexible travellers who can commit at short notice. The 3rd and 4th guest promotion applies to select sailings as well — ask our cruise experts which sailings it covers for December departures, as the qualifying windows are specific.

Norwegian Cruise Line runs 3 clear tiers. The base BROCHURE fare is just the cruise itself. The Free at Sea bundle adds a premium beverage package, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits of US$50 per port for guests 1 and 2. The Free at Sea Plus tier extends this with upgraded dining at restaurants such as Cagney’s Steakhouse or Le Bistro, applying the package to all guests on the booking.

Princess Cruises offers a Standard base fare — the cruise itself, with packages available to add — and the Princess Plus package, which bundles 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.

Our cruise experts can walk you through which tier makes sense for how you actually cruise — whether you drink, how much you’d spend on Wi-Fi and dining separately, and whether the all-in price beats booking à la carte.

Are there discounts on December 2026 cruises?

A significant portion of December 2026 sailings carry a reduction from the highest price listed for that sailing — with some reduced by up to 46%. Our cruise experts can help you identify which sailings have the deepest reductions and whether the lower-priced fare tier still covers what matters to you. CruiseAway’s Best Price Guarantee means that if you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere, we’ll match it.

Can we add flights, hotels and transfers?

Yes — and for the majority of December 2026 sailings, which depart from ports in the United States, a flight from Australia is part of the trip. Through our DreamAway Packages, we can build your entire holiday: flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers and tours, all on one booking. There is no need to piece together separate reservations across multiple providers. If you are local to a departure port — or close enough for a short domestic connection — we can package just the elements you need. Either way, it all sits on one booking with one contact point if anything changes.

For a broader look at what’s available right across the calendar, our cruises for Australian travellers page covers the full range, and the cheap cruises page is worth checking if budget is a priority. Planning around a specific line for the holiday period? The Princess Christmas and January cruises page and the Norwegian Christmas and January cruises page both go into detail on those back-to-back sailings. If you’d like to see the full Christmas cruise picture in one place, Christmas cruises and Christmas cruises 2026 are both available. Royal Caribbean Christmas specials and the Royal Caribbean Christmas 2026 Australia page cover that line in depth. If you’re looking for fly-cruise-stay options over the festive period, our top fly/cruise/stay packages bring the best combinations together. And for those planning into the new year, cruises from Brisbane in January are already bookable.

*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.