At a glance
- Caribbean sailings offer festive fun, family-friendly escapes and reliable sun
- Antarctica hits its wildlife peak, with penguins, whales and long daylight hours
- Australia and New Zealand combine summer warmth with cultural sights
- Many regions of Southeast Asia offer dry, sunny weather and cultural highlights
- River cruises through Europe are aglow with Christmas market charm
- Norwegian coastal voyages bring snowy fjords and the Northern Lights
Why trust us?
World of Cruising, along with our sister publication Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK’s most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea and sailed with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. Here, that expertise informs our list of the best cruise destinations for December.
Is December a good time to cruise?
Absolutely. December is a time when cruise season truly splits – half the world heading for warmth, the other for wintery magic. In the tropics, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Australia promise the prospect of sun-drenched escapes.
Down south, Antarctica’s wildlife show is at its stunning peak. Meanwhile, Europe’s rivers twinkle with Christmas markets and Norway’s snowy fjords offer Northern Lights sightings. Whether you’re in the mood for penguins, Prosecco or Père Noël, December has a sailing for you.
Best December cruise for a tropical Christmas: The Caribbean
Why here, why now: The Caribbean in December hits the sweet spot: the rainy season has passed, hurricane threats are long gone and the islands are gearing up for a full month of festivities. Think steel drum carols, beach bar cocktails and yuletide cheer in flip-flops.
Families love the school-holiday timing, while couples can escape into small-ship serenity. December also sees some of the region’s biggest cultural celebrations – from Junkanoo parades in the Bahamas to fireworks in St Kitts.
Weather: Balmy highs of 27-30C, sunny skies and tropical breezes.
Top Ports:Barbados for rum tastings and snorkelling with turtles, St Kitts for hilltop forts and Black Rocks lava fields, Grand Cayman for coral reefs and duty-free deals and St Thomas for Christmas shopping and sunset sails.
Who to sail with: Royal Caribbean International and P&O Cruises offer lively, family-friendly itineraries. SeaDream Yacht Club and Windstar Cruises cater to grown-up escapes.
Price: Royal Caribbean has mini cruises from Florida from around £300, excluding flights, while P&O offers sailings from £1,200 per person for 14 nights, including flights. Windstar has cruise-only fares from around £1,500 per person for seven nights, while SeaDream Yacht Club offers December sailings from approximately £3,250, excluding flights.
Best December cruise for Christmas markets: The Rhine & Danube
Why here, why now: December is the month for Christmas market river cruising. Think medieval streets lit by fairy lights, stalls piled with carved toys and gingerbread and brass bands playing carols as you sail past snow-dusted castles. Whether you pick the Danube or the Rhine, you’ll enjoy seasonal excursions, festive treats and picture-perfect settings – ideal for couples, culture lovers or first-time cruisers seeking European magic.
Weather: Highs of 4-8C, with frosty mornings and candlelit evenings.
Top Ports: Nuremberg for bratwurst and nutcrackers, Vienna for imperial markets and hot punch, Strasbourg for canals and cookies and Regensburg for UNESCO charm and Christmas choirs.
Who to sail with: AmaWaterways offers culinary flair and expert guides. Viking Cruises delivers upscale adults-only sailings, complete with stylish cabins and snow-globe views.
Price: Viking has yuletide sailings from £2,700 per person for eight days; AmaWaterways fares start from £2,600 per person, also for eight days.
Best December cruise for the Northern Lights: Norwegian Coast
Why here, why now: While most of Europe is winding down for winter, Norway’s coast is lighting up – quite literally. December is is in the middle of Northern Lights season, with long nights and high solar activity. Coastal voyages between Bergen and Kirkenes blend aurora hunting with snowshoeing, dogsledding and local food experiences. It’s more expedition than classic cruise – but for scenery, serenity and winter romance, it’s hard to beat.
Weather: Highs of -2 to 3C, with snowy days and long, dark nights; note it can get considerably colder in the far north.
Top Ports: Bergen for Nordic charm and fish markets, Ålesund for Art Nouveau and fjord views, Tromsø for husky rides and science museums and Kirkenes for snow hotels and silent skies.
Who to sail with: Havila Voyages offers eco-forward ships with panoramic lounges. Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express is the classic, community-rooted route.
Price: Hurtigruten has seven-night voyages from £1,100 per person; Havila from £1,000 per person for 12 days.
Best December cruise for culture: Southeast Asia
Why here, why now: In much of Southeast Asia, December falls squarely in the dry season – so it’s perfect for sightseeing and sampling your way through cities, islands and floating markets. Vietnam and Thailand are buzzing with food festivals, while ports like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are decked out in lights and shopping promos. If you want to combine winter sun with serious culture (and seriously good food), this is the ultimate feast for the senses.
Weather: Highs of 28-32C with sunny skies and low humidity.
Top Ports:Bangkok for longtail boats and golden temples, Penang for art alleys and nasi kandar, Ho Chi Minh City for markets and motorbikes and Singapore for futuristic gardens and rooftop pools.
Who to sail with:Celebrity Cruises brings modern luxe and family-friendly amenities. Oceania is an upscale option with a reputation for culinary excellence.
Price: Celebrity Cruises’ South East Asia sailings start at £1,200 per person for 12 nights; Oceania fares begin at around £2,200 for nine days.
Best cruise for a bucket-list escape: Australia & New Zealand
Why here, why now: December marks the start of summer Down Under – ideal for a spot of sun-kissed city-hopping, vineyard-touring and coast-hugging adventures. Sydney’s Christmas lights sparkle above Bondi Beach, while New Zealand’s fjords shine in full technicolour.
Some longer sailings take in Tasmania or South Pacific islands, too. Whether it’s your first time south or a long-awaited return, December is a rewarding month to go.
Weather: Highs of 22-28C in most coastal ports, with dry days and warm evenings.
Top Ports: Sydney for the Opera House and Bondi brunches, Melbourne for laneway art and Yarra wines, Auckland for island-hopping and harbourside dining and Dunedin for rare wildlife and Victorian charm.
Who to sail with: Princess Cruises combines port variety with strong excursion options. Seabourn provides longer, ultra-luxury Antipodean itineraries, with small ships designed to access boutique ports larger ships can’t reach.
Price: Princess fares start from approximately £1,000 for a 12-day sailing; Seabourn fares begin at approximately £5,600 for 16 days.
Best for a December expedition cruise: Antarctica
Why here, why now: December is peak Antarctica season – the ice is opening, the penguins start nesting later in the month and the first whales of the season start arriving. Days are long (think 20-plus hours of daylight), which means more time for Zodiac landings, wildlife watching and photography. It’s the best month for those looking to tick off the big three: penguins, whales and seals – all while enjoying the most awe-inspiring scenery on Earth.
Weather: Highs of 0-5C with crisp air and dramatic light.
Top Ports:Ushuaia (Argentina) for final prep and quirky shops, Neko Harbour for penguin colonies and mirrored waters, Lemaire Channel for ice walls and whale spouts and Cuverville Island for wildlife and glacial backdrops.
Who to sail with: HX focuses on science and sustainability. Quark Expeditions offers small-ship, expert-led adventure cruising.
Price: HX offers 12-day Antarctic expeditions from £9,200 per person; Quark Expeditions from £11,500 per person for 11 days.
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