A Christmas cruise offers a unique and festive way to celebrate the holiday season – without the clean-up.

As the year wraps up, travellers and cruise enthusiasts looking for a more memorable and once-in-a-lifetime yuletide getaway can do no better than celebrate the holidays on the high seas aboard a Christmas-themed cruise. 

This year, the popularity of festive season cruises is at its peak. In celebrating Christmas at sea, cruise lines offer an array of options to satisfy every type of traveller.

Whether you’re looking for a family-oriented voyage or a more upscale adults-only celebration, you’re sure to find an incredible Christmas cruise to hype your holiday spirit. Here are some of the best Christmas cruises setting sail this year.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will host an 8-night South Pacific Holiday Cruise scheduled on December 21-29. The ship will depart from Brisbane and will visit three countries and four ports of call. 

Part of the cruise’s itinerary is a visit to the Mystery Island in Vanuatu where guests marvel at the crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and breath-taking beaches.  In addition, the charming town of Noumea in New Caledonia has picturesque beaches perfect for snorkeling and sun-bathing. Royal’s South Pacific holiday is best for cruisers who want to experience the yuletide season under the summer heat. 

For those who wish to catch this cruise this Christmas season, the starting price is at two, $607 per person.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is offering a 7-night West Mediterranean sailing via MSC Fantasia, setting sail on December 22. The ship will depart Palma de Mallorca in Spain and will visit the picturesque ports of Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, La Spezia, and Naples.

Within the duration of the cruise, guests can explore historic European destinations and stunning coastal towns. The cruise itinerary provides the perfect blend of Christmas vibe and Mediterranean sights. With its world-class hospitality and service, MSC Fantasia allows cruisers to celebrate the yuletide season against the classic backdrop of the Western Mediterranean. The starting price for this voyage is $589.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is offering a 12-night Norway cruise which is set to sail on December 17 via P&O’s Aurora. While guests may not be able to get access to the North Pole, they can still marvel at the beauty of the Northern Lights from the ship’s deck. This Christmas cruise allows passengers to witness Mother Nature’s very own spectacle of lights. 

This voyage includes stops in five Norwegian cities Andalsnes, Romsdalsfjord, Tromso, Alta, and Haugesund. In addition, cruising with Aurora this Christmas season means being treated to a traditional Christmas dinner, festive-themed entertainment and films available to view in on-board cinemas. The starting price for this cruise per person is approximately $3008.

Holland America

Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam will sail through a 10-night Southern Caribbean Seafarer Holiday itinerary this December 17-27, 2023. The roundtrip sailing from Fort Lauderdale includes six ports of call: Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, Samana in Dominican Republic, Kralendijk, Bonaire in Curaçao, Oranjestad in Aruba, and Willemstad, Curacao. 

The second in line of Holland America’s Pinnacle Class vessels, Nieuw Statendam offers an array of world-class dining and entertainment options. Additionally, Christmas-themed activities and shows are also lined up for guests to enjoy and celebrate the yuletide season.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s 5-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale offers a magical Christmas voyage aboard Disney Dream.  Departing on December 21, the ship is set to visit popular tropical destinations like Cozumel in Mexico known for its healthy coral reefs and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. 

There are a lot of things in store for cruisers of Disney Dream this Christmas including sumptuous holiday treats, Tree lighting events, Santa sightings, deck shows and programs, and other themed activities for the entire family. Meanwhile, the starting price for this cruise per person is approximately $5594.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has lined up a 14-night Patagonia & Argentina Holiday sailing from Valparaiso, Chile via Celebrity Eclipse on December 23. This cruise’s itineraries include visits to amazing destinations namely: Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in Chile, and Ushuaia, Puerto Madryn, and Buenos Aires in Argentina. The ship will also be cruising the Chilean Fjords and the Straight of Magellan. 

Onboard Celebrity Escape, guests may spoil themselves at the Spa, bonding over Family Archery, or have a drink at the Sky Observation Lounge. The starting price for this cruise is approximately $2902 per person.

Silversea

Silversea is offering a 14-night Sydney to Auckland cruise via Silver Muse departing on December 21. Itineraries include 10 ports of call which include Eden, Hobart, Bluff, Dunedin, Kaikoura, Picton, Wellington, and Rotorua. 

This all-inclusive cruise allows passengers to celebrate the yuletide season in style. With a blend of stunning destinations like Sydney and  Hobart and the breathtaking attractions found in New Zealand, this cruise is one for the books. On the other hand, the starting price for this cruise is $10,050 per person or $717 per day per person.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruises has an 8-day South Pacific Christmas sailing scheduled on December 18 via Carnival Splendor. The ship departs from Sydney and will visit Noumea and Lifou in New Caledonia. 

The Carnival Christmas cruise includes visits from Santa, tree lighting, sumptuous traditional Christmas food, and over 40 exciting activities on board the ship. Meanwhile, the average starting price for this cruise is $1,552 per person.