Insider Guide to December's Best Cruise Destinations

Table Of Content

• Are there cruises in December?
• Best Winter Cruise Destinations: Cold Weather and Winter Sun Cruises
• South America: A Tapestry of Urban and Natural Beauty
• Winter Cruises in Warm Weather Destinations for November and December
• night Galapagos cruise on Silversea
• Australian Destinations
• Ring in the holidays with our December cruise deals.
• Best Warm Places to Visit in December

If you want to score the best prices on a holiday cruise, book far in advance. If you're feeling the holiday spirit, sign up to join a group of crew and passengers to go caroling around the ship. Cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Christmas games are part of the holiday fun. On New Year's Eve, gather for a special party with a complimentary midnight Champagne toast, party favors and live music.

Are there cruises in December?

While on board, passengers will enjoy festive holiday decorations, special holiday performances, seasonal cuisine and Christmas cocktails. The itinerary begins with a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, where the bustling Bourbon Street awaits exploration. The Mississippi river sailing includes stops along the river at Nottoway, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi; St. Francisville, Louisiana and an overnight in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The journey begins with a five-day land tour of Costa Rica, taking guests to the Arenal volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Then it's on to ports in Isla Parida and Balboa (for Panama City) in Panama before sailing through the Panama Canal.

Best Winter Cruise Destinations: Cold Weather and Winter Sun Cruises

8 Best Winter Cruise Destinations Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler

8 Best Winter Cruise Destinations Condé Nast Traveler.

Posted: Wed, 25 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

After you’ve gotten in the spirit with your in-room virtual yule log, mingle with Santa Claus or be enchanted with holiday classics performed by the Yuletide Carolers. Guests can design keepsake ornaments or compete in a gingerbread house-making contest, while younger passengers can attend their very own holiday parties at the onboard youth centers. In Tangier, the labyrinth-like medina is equally as beguiling, with the city’s souk abuzz with trade and activity. For a slightly more serene experience, take it all in from afar at the Kasbah, an 18th-century hilltop fortress.

South America: A Tapestry of Urban and Natural Beauty

Visiting the Caribbean is always a treat, but it’s particularly gratifying when all your friends are at home navigating black ice on their way to work. Our Riviera Maya itinerary is one of the best December cruises, leaving from Miami and sailing to Mexico, stopping at Cozumel, Playa del Carmen. You’ll also spend an additional day and night at The Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas. Our special Scarlet Caribbean Holiday 2023 voyage is another great way to escape to the Caribbean this holiday season.

Winter Cruises in Warm Weather Destinations for November and December

Cruising the Mediterranean in Winter: Pros and Cons - Cruise Critic

Cruising the Mediterranean in Winter: Pros and Cons.

Posted: Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Viking Cruises is highly regarded as a cruise line offering some of the best Christmas Market cruises. They often offer a new Christmas river cruise itinerary each year and repeat the most popular itineraries. For example, experience the holidays in Europe along the Elbe, the Seine, the Rhine, the Main, and Moselle rivers.

Whether you’re looking to escape the winter cold or just prefer to celebrate the holiday season at sea, the end of the year is the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind on a ship. We’re offering a Splash for your Bash, perfect for leveling up your group trips. For $250 per cabin, you’ll get a bottomless brunch event at The Wake or Razzle Dazzle, and a special dinner party with curated drinks and desserts. And since we know the holidays can be tough on the wallet, we’re alleviating the financial stress with our monthly payment plan option. This limited-time offer lets you put $0 down when you book your next voyage.

If you aren’t bothered about 100% Winter sun but want a great winter cruise destination you should consider New Zealand. Last, but certainly not least, the best December cruises are found on Europe’s iconic waterways. With lower accommodation prices and historic cities all lit up by twinkling Christmas lights, December is arguably the most inspiring month to visit Europe. Christmas river cruises in Europe have become more and more popular recently and continue to grow in popularity as people find out about them. From the canals of Amsterdam and the romance of Paris’ Seine to the winding Rhine in Germany and the legendary Danube, Europe’s rivers are our top pick for best December cruises destinations. While summer can be scorching hot and unbearably humid in this part of the world, winters tend to be quite a bit milder.

Visit the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, located just two miles from the Guatemala border. A 40-meter high temple, El Castillo joins plazas and palaces on a backdrop of panoramic views. Back in port, Belize City offers a culture fix with colonial charm and the bustling Tourism Village for souvenir shopping.

Whether you’re unwinding on a serene Asian beach, delving into rich cultural tapestries, or playing with penguins in the polar south, there’s a unique story waiting for you on the high seas. Antarctica is probably the road less traveled, where the chill of the winter months is a year-round affair! Here, cruise ships transform into expedition vessels, navigating through icebergs and frozen seascapes. Witness a world untouched by urban sprawl, home to colonies of playful penguins, majestic whales, and seals.

There are a lot of possible destinations in New Zealand, including Port Chalmers, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Wellington, Gisborne and Tauranga for Rotorua. The Bay of Islands is a spectacular collection of islands located just off of the northern tip of the North Island. This port has a fascinating history as an old penal colony and a spectacular natural environment with spectacular national parks. Cairns serves as the starting point for many to make the short trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Ponant is a French company that sails some of the most luxurious expedition ships in the world.

Further south, you’ll find the hottest December days in the non-stop city of Ho Chi Minh. Cultural and historic spaces like the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace provide respite from the midday heat. While winter has firmly cemented itself in the northern states by the last month of the year, Florida is still basking in sunshine.

In Bangkok, your time will be filled with gilded palaces, gleaming Buddhas, and bustling markets before heading to Ko Samui’s white-sand beaches. Although many people living in the Northern Hemisphere think of going on a cruise as something you do in summer (June through August), winter is actually also a pretty amazing time for a cruise. In fact, some of the absolute best cruises in the world take place in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter season (December through March). Note that the best December cruises are as varied as those taking place in the midst of summer. With long sunny days and balmy nights, Belize ranks up there with the best cruises in December and throughout winter. This is a destination made for thrill-seekers, with jungles for mountain biking and zip lining, rivers for tubing and kaleidoscopic coral gardens for snorkeling.

Then make a port of call in Salinas, renowned for its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife, and water sports activities. The town of Manta also provides opportunities to explore Ecuador's fishing culture, visit local markets, and admire the iconic Manta Bay. A remarkable blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and coastal charm, the Ecuadorian coast provides an ideal winter cruise opportunity.

It is very hot and humid in the Middle East, so be prepared with appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Winter cruises in the Galapagos typically occur on smaller expedition vessels to ensure an intimate and eco-friendly experience. These cruises often have expert naturalist guides who provide insightful commentary and lead excursions, enabling passengers to fully appreciate the unique wildlife and ecosystems of the islands.