are christmas cruises more expensive

Are Christmas Cruises Worth It? Pros and Cons

If you love Christmas and enjoy cruises, you may consider combining the two. After all, lounging on a ship by the pool with a cocktail in your hand and not having to cook dinner or deal with hosting extended family sounds pretty nice.

This is especially true if it’s cold in December where you live. Instead, you could be sailing through the Caribbean or some other tropical destination , basking in the sun. While there is a lot of appeal to enjoying your holidays this way, you’re probably wondering, is Christmas a good time to go on a cruise? Are Christmas cruises worth it?

Christmas cruises have pros and cons, and they aren’t for everyone. If you’re on the fence, this article will help you decide if a Christmas cruise is right for you and your loved ones.

Christmas Cruise Options

When you are considering a Christmas cruise there are so many options. You can take any cruise over Christmas or in the weeks leading up to Christmas. On these cruises you can expect to find Christmas decorations and if you cruise on Christmas day, special meals and activities.

Another option is a Christmas river cruise. These cruises are on ships with around 150 passengers that go up and down the rivers in Europe, stopping in towns with Christmas markets. These cruises are a completely different experience, which we highly recommend.

Are Christmas Cruises Worth It? Pros

Whether you choose a cruise with Royal Caribbean , Carnival , Princess , Norwegian , or another cruise line, there will be plenty of good reasons to embark during the holiday season. Let’s look at the benefits to Christmas cruises.

Christmas Cruises Offer an Alternative to Holiday Stress

If you need a break from setting up the tree, putting up decorations, wrapping presents, or hosting your whole family, then a Christmas cruise is a great way to enjoy the holiday without stress.

While each cruise line has a different way of celebrating Christmas, you can rest assured that there will be plenty of holiday spirit on board. There will be decorations, Santas, Christmas trees, holiday desserts and drinks, caroling, and even ugly sweater parties.

Some cruise lines will also play Christmas movies and have holiday-themed shows, religious services, and special gifts for their passengers.

A Christmas Cruise Can Bring Distant Family Together

As people grow older, have their own families and careers, and live in different parts of the world, getting everyone together for Christmas can be challenging.

If this is the case for you and your relatives, then a Christmas cruise is a great way to bring everyone together. An added bonus is that no one needs to worry about hosting a large party and dealing with the work that goes along with it.

You Can Make Unforgettable Christmas Memories

If you’ve had the same holiday tradition for years, then a Christmas cruise is a great way to switch things up. Not only will you visit new places, but you’ll create unique memories that you will never forget.

A Christmas Cruise Is a Great Gift

Each year, families spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on Christmas gifts. What if you put your money toward a Christmas cruise instead? Most cruise lines have so many activities for kids and adults that they will probably forget they didn’t receive any presents from Santa!

However, that’s not to say you can’t still buy Christmas presents during your cruise. Cruises will port for a day at different destinations, and you can shop at local markets for interesting and unique gifts.

The Weather Will Be a Lot Nicer

As mentioned earlier, a Christmas cruise can be a great way to escape if you live in a region where the weather is cold during the holiday season. Instead of driving on icy roads and wearing four layers of clothes, you could work on your tan by the pool, enjoy excursions to tropical beaches, or go snorkeling or scuba diving.

You Can Take a Christmas Cruise Any Time in December

If you can’t decide between spending Christmas at home or going on a cruise, then you can have the best of both worlds. Several cruise lines offer Christmas themes throughout the month of December, so you can still experience a Christmas cruise.

Then you can be home for Christmas and not miss any holiday traditions.

Are Christmas Cruises Worth It? Cons

As you can see, there are multiple benefits to Christmas cruises. There are also drawbacks. Here are the cons you should consider to decide if a Christmas cruise is worth it.

You Will Need to Plan Months in Advance

You didn’t think you were the only one who had the idea of going on a Christmas cruise, did you? Thousands of people in the U.S. and other countries are thinking the same thing. If you decide on a Christmas cruise, you will need to book your trip months in advance.

This can be stressful as you need to coordinate vacation times, flights, and other factors. Plus, if you wait too long, you may miss out on the nicer cabins.

It May Be Difficult to Get the Whole Family to Agree

Since you will need to plan the cruise months (maybe even a year) in advance, getting everyone on the same page can be challenging. It will take a lot of time and patience to coordinate everyone’s schedules and get them to agree on what cruise line to take. It may even take a lot of work to get them to agree that a Christmas cruise is the best choice.

Of course, this isn’t the case for everyone. If it’s just you and your spouse for a honeymoon cruise , planning the trip will be easier. However, it may still be tough to break the news to your families that you won’t be there for Christmas traditions.

Holiday Travel Can Be a Nightmare

If you live in port towns such as Galveston , Fort Lauderdale, or Miami, then taking a Christmas cruise isn’t a hassle. But for those who need to fly to the cruise port, you may end up wishing you had stayed home.

Airports can be an absolute nightmare during the holiday season. With so many people traveling to see family, the check-in lines can get extremely long, and it’s common for flights to be delayed or even canceled due to bad weather.

Higher Costs: Are Christmas Cruises More Expensive?

Yes, Christmas cruises can be more expensive. Children are out of school and plenty of people take vacation at this time. Prices for cruises around Christmas and New Year’s can be the highest of the year.

Also, flight prices tend to be more in December due to the high demand. This is why it’s vital to plan your Christmas cruise months in advance. The longer you wait, the higher the prices will be, and there will be less availability on flight dates and cruise schedules.

Are Christmas Cruises Worth It? Conclusion

So, are Christmas cruises worth it for you? Only you can decide. You may find that the time and effort to plan the trip isn’t worth the headache, or you may decide that a Christmas cruise is too expensive.

On the other hand, you may find that it’s a chance to escape the cold weather, take a break, and celebrate Christmas in a new way. Weigh the pros and cons with your loved ones and make the best decision for you.

If you’re all in, we have articles on the different cruise lines to help you decide which one to choose. Check out 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises & Cruise Lines , Carnival Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean , Royal Caribbean vs. Princess Cruises , Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian , and Working with a Carnival Cruise Travel Agent.

Not sure if a cruise is right for you? Check out our resort and destination articles instead! We have plenty to help you plan your next vacation, including 25 Best Beach Vacations for Couples , 20 Most Romantic Caribbean Suites , Best Sandals Resorts , Top 10 St. Lucia Honeymoon Resorts & Planning Guide , Top 10 Jamaica Honeymoon Resort Packages & Planning Guide , and many more!

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Are Christmas Cruises Worth It? – Full Review – Food, Entertainment, and More

I love cruising and I love Christmas but when I booked an MSC cruise that included Christmas day onboard I didn’t know what to expect.

Christmas is a big deal and the decision to spend it on a cruise was definitely a risk of sorts – you can’t re-do Christmas if it goes wrong. 

My Christmas Cruise – Itinerary and Ship

MSC are an Italian cruise line and I’m from the UK so I did expect Christmas to be different.

I don’t think I was prepared for quite how different though, the Christmas dinner wasn’t anything like the Christmas dinner we would have at home and the entertainment was definitely a change from what I’m used to. 

Ship: MSC Meraviglia (MSC Cruises) Duration: 7 Nights Itinerary: Mediteranean Loop from Genoa , Italy

I didn’t know if it would be strange being away from home over the holiday and I had no idea if it’d still feel like Christmas if I was somewhere hot. 

Why Did We Book This Cruise?

We booked the MSC cruise because it was relatively cheap, we wanted to try a Christmas cruise and it was onboard a brand new ship, the MSC Meraviglia. 

I say cheap – it was cheap considering the fact that it sailed over Christmas. Usually, you pay a big premium to be on a cruise at Christmas just because the demand is higher.

We flew to Genoa in Italy to embark the ship and boarded on Christmas Eve.

My First Impressions – Ship Decorations

I have to say I was both disappointed and amazed when I embarked the MSC Meraviglia.

I was amazed by the huge promenade street that runs through the centre of the ship, I was amazed by the swimming pools, the ropes course and the general design of the ship – but I was disappointed with the Christmas decorations.

When you think about Christmas cruising you probably picture a ship with big Christmas trees in the Atrium, and Christmas decorations lining the stairs -but there really wasn’t any of that with my MSC Christmas Cruise.

There were a few small Christmas decorations around and some big sparkly angels in the atrium – but it didn’t feel as Christmassy as I expected. 

It really didn’t make a difference to our cruise how decorated the ship was, but I was just surprised they hadn’t made more of an effort.

Top Tip: If you do want to get the Christmassy cruise feeling but don’t want to pay the premium price, cruising earlier in December can be a great way to do it. Most ships will be decorated by the start of December – some start decorating even earlier.

I took a cruise with Costa in early December and it was amazing to see the ship decorated like this.

True, you won’t get the Christmas dinner or Christmas entertainment but it’s still really nice to be on a ship like this when it has all its Christmas decorations up.

The Crew Wore Christmas Hats

One thing that did make the ship feel Christmassy was that all of the waiters and all of the crew were wearing Christmas hats for our entire cruise.

It definitely helped to make the ship feel like Christmas – and I hope it wasn’t too annoying for the crew. 

If you do ever take a Christmas cruise remember that it’s also Christmas for the crew. They’ll probably work 12+ hours on Christmas day and their families are back at home, so be EXTRA nice.

I always think cruise lines are too tolerant of guests being rude to the crew. If I was in charge, there would be a zero-tolerance approach. As my mum always said to me “Good manners cost nothing!” 

MSC’s Itineraries Are Different From Other Cruise Lines

MSC are a little different from most cruise lines because guests can board and disembark in almost every port, there isn’t a start and end to the cruise in the way that there usually is on other cruise lines.

That meant that when we got onboard on Christmas Eve some people had already been on board for a few days, maybe some had even been on for a week or more. 

We were very much thrown straight into Christmas by boarding on Christmas Eve.

There were a few Christmas activities on the daily schedule – including Christmas carols and a Christmas theatre show.

Let it Snow! A Christmas Show

I had cruised with MSC before this and I have to say they don’t have my favourite theatre shows, I was excited to see what they’d do for Christmas though.

Even though they’re not my favourite I still go most days, they’re included in the cruise fare and fairly short. I do find them entertaining, just not one of my favourites.  

We saw a show called “Let it Snow” which definitely put us in the Christmas mood.

There were colourful costumes and Christmas songs with dancing. Somebody was dressed as a snowman and there were lots of elves.

The show was on 3 times that evening so that everybody had the opportunity to see the show.

Does Santa Visit Cruise Ships?

Santa does visit cruise ships and he will usually be available to take photos with and to give out presents. He usually visits on Christmas Eve.

I did wonder, if I was on a cruise ship and it was Christmas Eve how would Santa find me to give me my Christmas presents?

Luckily he was in the promenade that evening to take photos with the children.

On lots of cruise lines Santa will be there to give out presents too,

I don’t remember if there were presents on this cruise, but sadly I think I’m a little too old for Santa to give me a gift. 

Christmas Activities and Entertainment on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve there was also a Christmas musical game, Christmas party and Christmas DJ.

The entertainment definitely made us feel like it was Christmas although it was still very different from being at home in chilly England . 

Usually here on Christmas Eve we would watch a movie, have some nice snacks and leave out a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer. In the US it seems that Santa usually gets cookies, but here – it’s a mince pie.

Personally, I’d much prefer the cookies but mince pies are very popular, they’re made of fruit, not meat mince. 

We went to sleep very content and happy but I was thinking about the next day, would Christmas be the same without seeing my extended family? Would it be the same without presents and what would be for Christmas dinner?

If You Take a Cruise Over Christmas Will You Have a Traditional Christmas Dinner?

American and British cruise lines will serve traditional American and British Christmas meals.

Cruise lines from Italy, Greece and other countries will serve dishes local to the origin country of the cruise line which may not be what American or British guests are used to.

In the UK, Christmas dinner is usually some sort of roasted meat, roast potatoes, sprouts, gravy, that kind of thing – but I didn’t expect an Italian Christmas dinner to be like that.

MSC have guests from all over the world so I’m sure they had a lot of different people expecting different things for Christmas dinner. 

We Visited 4 Countries in 7 Days

The cruise was sailing around the Mediterranean and it visited ports in Italy, Malta, Spain and France.

I did have some concerns about if the ports would be open as usual, given that we were visiting on the Christmas holiday. 

We Spent Christmas Day in Civitavecchia

We actually had a port day on Christmas day, we were in Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. 

In the UK over Christmas it’s usually pretty chilly, maybe something like 5c (40f) it very rarely snows here on Christmas but it definitely is cold . 

It was INCREDIBLE to feel warm on Christmas day, I’d definitely recommend it if you live somewhere cold.

We decided not to go into Rome, it’s quite a long way, we’d been before and we wanted to experience Christmas on the ship.

We did get off in the port of Civitavecchia and wandered around for a few hours, surprisingly most places were open but I suppose when a megaship like the MSC Mervaiglia arrives in port it makes sense to open the shops and cafes. 

The MSC Meraviglia holds 4500 passengers so she’s a pretty big ship. 

We Didn’t Bring Many Christmas Presents

We decided not to really do Christmas presents, each person had one present to open – but really being on the cruise was the Christmas present.

I got some new pyjamas and fluffy socks which really is the best thing you can get for Christmas.

If you are cruising at Christmas and you can make your presents usable on the cruise, like clothes, that’s a great way to make sure you’re not wasting space in your suitcase. 

For this week-long cruise, I only bought a small carry-on/cabin-sized suitcase because we had to fly to Italy and I usually just take a small suitcase when flying.

It was really nice not to have to think too much about presents and to skip all of that “do I have everything I need?” panic feeling that I’m sure a lot of people feel before Christmas .

There Were Christmassy and Non-Christmassy Events Happening Onboard

After our walking about in Civitavecchia, we came back to the ship, there were quite a few Christmas activities happening onboard but it wasn’t overwhelmingly “Christmas.”

There were still usual things like dance classes, quizzes and exercise classes happening as normal. 

Even though our MSC cruise had guests from all over the world, speaking lots of different languages the majority of the entertainment and the music was in English. 

MSC’s Dress Codes Are Pretty Relaxed

There was a dress code in the main dining room but it wasn’t enforced at all.

I recently asked in our Facebook group if you thought MSC’s dress codes were relaxed and 96% of you answered yes. I think that’s pretty conclusive.

To learn more about MSC’s dress codes and to see photos of what others have worn on MSC cruises, check out this post:

MSC Dress Code Photo Guide – 96% Agree The Dress Codes are Relaxed

I decided to wear a spotty black dress because well, it was Christmas and I thought why not?

The relaxed dress codes are one of the things that I like about MSC, I like the opportunity to dress up but don’t really like to be told what to wear.

My Christmas Dinner and Christmas Menus on MSC

The main Christmas dinner menu on my MSC cruise featured a lot of seafood – which makes sense for an Italian cruise line. I had the roast suckling pig and from what I remember it was good. It was good. No Turkey though- that’s what we would normally have for a traditional Christmas dinner in the UK.

Below is my Christmas day dinner and dessert, it was very nice!

I Had a Traditional Roast When I Came Home

I usually eat a LOT when it comes to Christmas dinner, I pile the roast potatoes high and LOVE Yorkshire puddings.

When I came back from this cruise I did cook myself a traditional roast dinner, because that part of my Christmas cravings weren’t satisfied.  

It’s really cheap to buy the stuff you need for a Christmas dinner after Christmas though because everybody else is fed up with sprouts!

I Booked Another Christmas Cruise With P&O

Having tried the Italian Christmas experience with MSC, I booked another Christmas cruise with the British Cruise Line P&O.

The ship was decorated beautifully for Christmas, and I got a very traditional British Christmas dinner onboard.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t great for that Cruise, as we sailed from the UK down to the Canary Islands. There were many storms during our trip .

Find out about that cruise and see how P&O decorate their ships for Christmas here:

River Cruising At Christmas

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go on a Christmas river cruise, to visit the German Christmas Markets.

I sailed onboard the Tui Skyla. Tui offer budget-friendly river cruising from the UK and I have sailed with them before, so i knew what to expect.

The trip didn’t go entirely according to plan, with delayed flights, and very high river levels.

We had a really enjoyable time, despite the constant changes in itinerary – It was like a magical mystery tour!

Find out all about River Cruising at Christmas here:

Are Christmas Cruises Worth it?

The many benefits to Christmas Cruises make the price worth it.

Christmas Cruises provide a relaxing experience while allowing guests to visit new places on Christmas day. The passengers don’t have to worry about presents, shopping, cooking or cleaning.

Christmas cruises are usually more expensive than cruises at other times of the year, but it is possible to find a bargain if you are looking for one.

I would definitely book another Christmas cruise – I really enjoy them.

Before You Go

Find out about all the free things you should try if you book an MSC cruise here:

12 Free Things You Have to Try on MSC Cruises (Tried and Tested!)

Find out about nineteen essential tips you should try on your next MSC cruise:

19 Essential MSC Cruise Tips That I Use Everytime (Freebies, Money Saving & More)

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

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• Dec 3, 2019

Christmas Cruises: The Pros and Cons of a Holiday at Sea

Thinking about making plans for a cruise this Christmas? Traveling around the holidays can often be stressful, but maybe you’re wanting to really mix things up this year. Before you book, let’s talk about some of the drawbacks and benefits of taking Christmas cruises. By the end of our list you may be rushing to make your reservation or thanking us for talking you out of a regrettable purchase. Here are some pros and cons to Christmas cruises.

Pro:Christmas Cruises Get You in the Holiday Spirit

Do you enjoy Christmas-themed experiences, but you’ve grown tired of the same old traditions happening in your hometown? A great way to get in the holiday spirit is by booking a Christmas cruise. Several of the most popular cruise lines offer one or more holiday specific cruises each year where you can enjoy Christmas movies, see Santa Claus, and take part in all kinds of yuletide frivolity. These cruises are programmed to prominently feature the Christmas holiday, so getting into the season will be no problem.

Pro: Christmas Cruises are Memorable

If you go on cruises often, your experiences may start to blend together after a while. After all, there are only so many sandy beaches and excursions to enjoy. Christmas cruises are more memorable because they revolutionize the journey by incorporating plenty of seasonal fun. For guests who rarely, if ever, attend cruises, this is a memorable way to see the Christmas season in a new light. Why settle for another holiday being lazy around the house when you can go big?

Con: It May Be Hard to Sell the Entire Family on Christmas Cruises

If you’ve ever tried to coordinate a family gathering, you know just how difficult it can be to get everyone on the same page. Between negotiating meal times with the in-laws to deciding who is going to cook what, a “normal” Christmas dinner can be hard enough to figure out. Whether you want to plan a Christmas cruise for your entire family or just something for yourself, your spouse, and your kids, you may run into some resistance from one or more members of the family.

Pro/Con: Trading Tradition for Something New and Original

Here’s one of the biggest factors to consider when planning Christmas cruises. Are you okay with missing out on some of the traditions offered by the usual Christmas season? Your cruise will only last a few days, but this might mean you’ll have to miss out on a special event at your church or in your community. You may also have to skip a family celebration or two. On the other hand, your cruise will give you some lasting memories you’ll cherish forever. It’s all about deciding what’s important to you.

Pro: Christmas Cruises Cater to Your Seasonal Needs

How many times have you wished for that beautiful Christmas weather with the gentle snow and the fun get-togethers where everyone gets involved? The Hallmark Channel is not the only place where you can find these. Christmas cruises are catered to meet your needs with seasonal treats, parties, and festivities. You’ll get more than enough jingle bell joy with these trips.

Pro: Take Care of Christmas Shopping at the Last Minute

If the shopping is bad in your area or you just don’t know what gifts to buy for those on your list, you may discover the perfect Christmas shopping while on your cruise. Taking a cruise in the winter often means the weather isn’t quite warm enough to fully enjoy the beach activities, but you can still shop around on each island stop and find something just right for your mother-in-law’s Christmas gift.

Con: It’s Hard to Plan Your Holiday Months in Advance

Unless you’re the kind of person who leaves details to the last minute, you’re going to have to plan this cruise months in advance . This is a difficult task for a normal vacation, but mixing in the busyness of the holidays makes it even harder to do. Your extended family may not know when they’ll be celebrating Christmas until after you’ve booked your cruise. On top of family get-togethers, you’ll also have to hope for the best on any other holiday parties going on at this time.

Pro: You Don’t Have to Handle the Cooking and Festivities on Your Own

We all love the food associated with the Christmas season. From smoked ham to peppermint-flavored desserts, there are so many mouth watering options to enjoy. When you decide to take a cruise around Christmas, you get all of the tasty delights minus the work involved in cooking and cleaning. Whether you take a Christmas-themed cruise or a standard option around the same time, you’ll be enjoying luxury during a season when many Americans are slaving away in the kitchen.

Pro: An Upgrade in Weather

As we mentioned before, the weather for Caribbean cruises may not be quite as warm during the winter months. This doesn’t mean, though, it won’t be an encouraging upgrade from the snowstorms happening in Wisconsin or Colorado. Why suffer through freezing temperatures when you could be sitting poolside with a delicious beverage by your side? After all, you don’t have to be wearing four layers of clothing for it to be Christmastime.

Con: Travel May Be Too Much of a Hassle During a Busy Season

Some people are blessed by not having to travel far to visit family during the Christmas season. The rest of us know just how busy the interstate and airports can be. If you’re trying to fly to your port of departure , it may be a little too much hassle between the crowds and the weather. Keep in mind the extra cost and time needed to travel to your cruise during the month of December.

Pro: Exclusive Time Together (Without Any Competition From Friends and Family)

Whether you’re traveling with your significant other or an extensive list of friends and family, Christmas cruises are a wonderful time to enjoy together around the holidays. Christmas at home means having competition with neighbors, church, school, and other family members when it comes to dividing your time off. Taking a cruise means you’ll have exclusive time together with your loved one(s) where no one else can reach you. This could also be fun if you’ve always wanted to do Christmas all on your own.

Pro: You Don’t Have to Go During the Actual Day of Christmas

Even though we’re talking about Christmas cruises, you don’t actually have to take these trips during the actual holiday. Several of these adventures take place throughout the month of December and maybe even beyond the final month of the year, depending on the cruise line. This may make the prospect of taking a Christmas cruise more feasible for you and your family.

Christmas cruises are an exciting opportunity for making lasting memories and taking the cruise experience to the next level. We hope you factor in our list of pros and cons to make the best decision regarding your Christmas plans.

Premier Cruises offers a number of family friendly and Christian cruises you won’t want to miss. From Alaska to the Caribbean, we have the right destination for you. Find out how you can join us on one of our next adventures by clicking on the link below.

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The 10 most festive christmas cruises for 2023-2024.

Set sail for the holidays on your next cruise vacation.

The Most Festive Christmas Cruises

Courtesy of American Queen Voyages

These festive cruises are full of activities, food and destinations to make your holiday special.

If you're ready for a break from holiday traditions and family gatherings at home, consider booking a Christmas cruise. What makes a better present than the chance to leave all the planning, cooking, cleaning and decorating behind – and celebrate the holidays in beautiful destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean or other countries around the globe?

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, you can book a festivity-filled river cruise along Europe's iconic waterways and bundle up in your winter gear to explore the Christmas markets in the snow. If you prefer sunshine and warm temperatures, celebrate the holidays in an exotic locale, sailing crystal-clear turquoise waters and relaxing on white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees.

Whether you prefer to stay close to home or jet off for a bucket list adventure, one of these cruises may just be the perfect gift to celebrate your holidays in style.

Book a Christmas cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise

Put your name on the waiting list for November 2024 if you want to set sail on what Hallmark is touting as the "jolliest vacation ever." The Hallmark Channel – known for its year-round holiday-themed programming with Christmas in July, Countdown to Christmas and Christmas Fridays – will host the first-ever Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise sailings in November 2024 from Miami to the Bahamas . Lucky fans of the television channel will travel with their favorite Hallmark stars on one of two four-night cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line 's Norwegian Gem during the 2024 holiday season.

Highlights of the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise include photo opportunities and panels to meet the stars. Attend Christmas craft workshops or tastings with Hallmark's winemaker – the wines have names like Jingle (cabernet sauvignon) and Joy (sauvignon blanc). Guests can also look forward to "carol-oke" singalongs, cookie decorating, an ugly sweater contest and a world premiere viewing of a new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

Read: The Top Party Cruises

AmaWaterways

Courtesy of AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways offers seven itineraries to visit the Christmas markets along the Rhine and Danube rivers – and to see the holiday splendor of Europe's grand cities, such as Vienna and Prague . Travelers can stroll through snow-dusted beautiful medieval squares and fairytale markets with chalet-inspired stalls, thousands of colorful lights, festive decorations, ice skating rinks, whimsical handmade gifts, Christmas carolers, carousels and more.

The eight-day Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary , features a visit to Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, one of the world's oldest and most famous Christmas markets. Sip glühwein (hot mulled wine) and sample savory specialties like currywurst (curried sausages) and kartoffelpuffer (fried potato pancakes). Be sure to save room for sweet delights like schaumkuss, a chocolate-covered marshmallow, or lebkuchen, a traditional spiced cookie.

While on board the ship, guests can participate in festivities like tree-trimming, caroling and "Shoes for St. Nick." This European tradition encourages passengers to leave their slippers outside their stateroom door before bed. In the morning, they wake up to slippers filled with tasty treats like the children find in Europe on Saint Nicholas Day.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrate Christmas Day in the Canary Islands and ring in the new year on the Mediterranean Sea during Celebrity Cruises ' Canaries, Morocco, Spain Holiday itinerary. The 13-day round-trip voyage from Barcelona embarks a few days before Christmas 2023 on Celebrity Infinity. It features eight ports of call, including the Moroccan cities of Casablanca and Tangier as well as Seville and Valencia in Spain.

On the ship, guests can revel in the joyous spirit of the season with festive Christmas trees, traditional holiday meals, themed shows and pop-ups, carolers, gingerbread winter villages, and even a visit from Santa. The onboard bars serve up holiday-inspired cocktails like candy cane and gingerbread martinis as well as other seasonal favorites, including spiked apple cider and classic mulled wine. On New Year's Eve, plan to join in the merriment with fellow cruisers during the big countdown bash.

If you want to cross South Africa off your list of must-visit destinations , consider spending Christmas and New Year's Eve sailing round-trip from Cape Town on Azamara 's 14-day South Africa Intensive Voyage. The 2023 voyage departs Dec. 21 on Azamara Pursuit and includes stops in Port Elizabeth, home to one of the densest elephant populations in the world, and Richards Bay, which is teeming with exotic wildlife and stunning landscapes.

Guests on board the holiday cruise will be treated to Christmas performances, including singalongs and carols performed by the crew. There will be special menus in the restaurants, holiday-themed buffets, religious services and a tree-trimming party. Festive treats like hot chocolate, cookies and snacks are provided throughout the cruise. The New Year's Eve White Night party, where all the guests don their best white attire, will take place throughout the ship and on the pool deck with entertainment, music and light bites.

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Courtesy of Viking

Viking's 12-day Christmas on the Main & Moselle cruise sails between Paris and Prague in 2023 and 2024. The adults-only sailing affords passengers 18 or older the opportunity to visit four European countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic. In addition to browsing the boutiques in Paris and a variety of Christmas markets in Germany, you'll want to explore iconic landmarks like Reims Cathedral in France and the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Don't miss the famed wines produced in the region, including Moselle, riesling, Müller-Thurgau and gewürztraminer.

The holiday spirit continues on board the ship with Christmas-themed cooking demonstrations in addition to festive decorations with garland, lights and gingerbread houses. Guests will also taste regional cuisine, enjoy cultural performances on board the ship and ashore, and learn about the history of the Christmas markets and local holiday traditions.

Read: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Disney Cruise Line

Kent Phillips | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers dozens of Christmas-themed cruises in November and December of 2023 and 2024. Cruisers looking to celebrate the holidays with Disney's cast of characters in 2023 can book a Very Merrytime cruise as short as a four-day sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas. For an extended getaway, consider Disney Cruise Line 's eastbound eastbound 15-day voyage that embarks in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico , and transits the Panama Canal, disembarking in Galveston, Texas .

On the first evening of every sailing, guests can gather around the three-deck-tall Christmas tree for the tree lighting ceremony, a holiday singalong and the introduction of Santa Claus. Other festivities include the fun-filled Mickey and Minnie's Holiday Party, themed Very Merrytime activities for children of all ages, carolers singing songs, and Christmas-inspired food and beverages. Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be sporting jolly new holiday attire during the special voyages.

Read: The Top Themed Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Celebrate the holidays with a once-in-a-lifetime getaway to the sun-drenched islands of Tahiti . You'll set sail a few days before Christmas aboard the four-masted sailing yacht Wind Spirit. Windstar's 10-day Overwater Bungalow & Tahitian Paradise Cruise Tour also includes a three-night stay in overwater bungalows on the island of Moorea. Resort perks include a half-day private car tour and a romantic beach dinner where you can watch a spectacular French Polynesian sunset over the South Pacific Ocean.

Guests can join in on the holiday spirit around the ship with festive Christmas trees and decorations and holiday-inspired cocktails and treats. Special programming for the voyage includes a Christmas movie, a gala tea, an interdenominational Christmas service and a Christmas Eve dinner. Christmas morning brings more celebrations throughout the day, with holiday meals, a Yuletide afternoon tea and a Christmas dinner followed by a variety show in the evening.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Grab the swimsuit, flip-flops and sunglasses for a tropical holiday on Norwegian Cruise Line 's newest ship, Norwegian Viva. The line's nine-day Caribbean voyage departs round-trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico , several days after Christmas. There are eight ports of call, including stops in the beautiful islands of Curaçao , Bonaire , St. Lucia and Aruba . For a special celebration, splurge on luxurious suite accommodations in The Haven. The ship-within-a-ship retreat features a private restaurant, a lounge, a sundeck, a concierge desk and 24-hour butler service.

Holiday-themed activities on Norwegian's ships vary by itinerary and ship. Still, guests will find plenty of festive fun on board, including traditional holiday fare and holiday-inspired musical sets, trivia, and family and youth programming. Guests are invited to offer interdenominational services for fellow passengers during the sailing. You'll also find Hanukkah services listed in the Freestyle Daily Program. Plan to sleep in on New Year's Day and spend a blissful day relaxing at sea after a late night celebrating New Year's Eve on board the ship.

American Queen Voyages

The holiday-themed, eight-day Roundtrip New Orleans voyage on American Queen begins with an overnight in the city and disembarks just in time to spend Christmas Eve in the Big Easy . The ship – a 417-passenger paddlewheeler that is the largest steamboat ever built – will call on four ports during the sailing on the Lower Mississippi River. In Natchez, Mississippi, guests will find holiday markets exclusively created for the voyage, where you can shop for gifts and sweet treats. You'll also be greeted with bonfires along the riverbanks at the historic Nottoway Resort in White Parish, Louisiana. Join in the real spirit of Christmas with donations to Giving Trees in the port towns that help local charities.

There are plenty of cheery activities on board the ship with Christmas shows, singalongs, caroling and cooking demonstrations. Guests can also put their creative talents to work decorating gingerbread houses, ornaments and cards while sampling holiday-themed cocktails or sipping hot chocolate. Specially prepared dishes will celebrate the traditions of Hanukkah, including traditional foods like homemade latkes (fried potato pancakes).

Read: The Top Mississippi River Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea

For a life-changing experience and the merriest Christmas of all, spend the holiday with several species of waddling penguins, giant seals and majestic whales while visiting the ice-covered shores of The White Continent. The 10-day Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams expedition on Silversea 's Silver Endeavour sets sail from Chile a week before Christmas in 2023 for the Antarctica Peninsula. Five days of excursions allow travelers to explore this surreal and magical part of the world. Weather permitting, guests will even take a Zodiac cruise with the expedition team in the South Shetland Islands on Christmas Day.

Festive touches on board the ship include Christmas trees and lights, gingerbread houses, holiday arts and crafts, caroling, religious services, and musical performances by the crew and professional entertainers. Guests will also enjoy a traditional holiday dinner on Christmas Day.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, and river ships in Europe and on the Mekong River. She used her extensive knowledge and experience with the cruise industry to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top Cruises on Small Ships
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Your Cruise
• The Top Christmas Lights Displays in the U.S.
• The Best Christmas Vacations

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Winter Vacations , Christmas

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• # 4 Bora Bora

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Explore > Occasions and seasons > Christmas > 5 things to consider when planning a Christmas cruise 

5 things to consider when planning a Christmas cruise 

The holiday season can be a hectic time for most with the shopping, parties, family gatherings and all that cooking. If you’re thinking of starting a new tradition during the holidays, or just looking to mix it up, a Christmas cruise may be the answer. Whatever the motivation, here are some tips to help you with your planning.

1. Make sure you book early

Cruise lines publish their holiday itineraries well in advance, so last minute is typically not an option. In fact, many of these voyages either sell out or can become expensive quite quickly as high demand drives up prices. For that reason, getting in early and securing a cabin is key to keeping enjoyment at a maximum and costs at a minimum.

2. What you can expect on a Christmas cruise

Christmas cruises aren’t for everyone. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing cruise vacation, this won’t be it. Big ships will be sailing at or near their maximum capacity so those looking for a relatively benign cruise with few children will be disappointed. Also, much like summertime cruises, sailings in December will be more expensive overall, with greater costs for airfare and hotel stays. The key is the plan early in order to get the best value.

3. Christmas cruise with young kids

Most cruise lines will be festive during the holidays, but Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean International do a fantastic job of establishing an upbeat exuberance during their Christmas sailings. Whether its roving bands of Dickensian characters singing Christmas carols or Santa making a surprise visit, the experience is bound to be magical for kids and adults alike.

4. Experience a Christmas market

While some ocean cruises may come close to key ports, the best way to embrace Christmas in Europe is on a river cruise. These intimate sailings dock right in the center of key European cities, offering unprecedented access. While is port you can attend a market that’s been around for generations, such as the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. Embrace your wanderlust as you delve into the local cuisine, savour a mug of warm mulled wine and discover new holiday traditions.

5. Ring in the New Year on a cruise

New Years cruises tend to attract more couples looking to ring in the New Year in a unique way. In warm-weather places like the Caribbean, expect evening parties on deck and elegant cocktail soirees indoors as the clock ticks towards midnight. Also, most itineraries have New Years Eve followed by a sea day, meaning you don’t have to worry about waking up early to go exploring ashore.

Christmas and the holiday season are a time to repeat traditions, start new ones and establish memories that will last a lifetime.  Whether your desire is to be somewhere warm with family, meandering a traditional Christmas market, or ringing in the New Year with your significant other, a cruise can offer something for everyone. Just remember that lots of people may have the same idea, so plan early to get the best possible selection and price.

Book your cruise today!

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2024 Christmas Cruises: Fun Itineraries, Best Cruise Lines & More!

The magic of Christmas isn’t just reserved for snow-kissed landscapes and cozy hearths. Christmas cruises offer a unique blend of tradition and adventure, providing holiday memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re looking to escape the chill or simply desire a holiday with a twist, our comprehensive guide will illuminate the allure of these festive voyages and help you plan the perfect yuletide getaway.

Benefits of Christmas Cruises

Unique holiday experience.

For many, the idea of Christmas conjures up images of snowflakes, pine trees, and families gathered around a roaring fireplace. However, the beauty of the festive season lies in its versatility.

A Christmas cruise offers a refreshing change from traditional celebrations, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in a variety of cultures, festivities, and landscapes.

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to a serene ocean view or the bustling vibe of a new port city ready to be explored. It’s a narrative shift that can reignite the wonder of the season for both first-time cruisers and seasoned travelers.

Escaping Winter Weather

If you’re not a fan of the cold, a Christmas cruise can be a warm haven. Many itineraries, especially those in the Caribbean, Australasia, or the South Pacific, promise balmy weather and sun-drenched beaches.

Instead of layering up in woolens, you could be donning a swimsuit, sipping on a cocktail by the pool, and still revel in the Christmas spirit. The ships are decked out in festive décor, so even as you sunbathe or swim, the atmosphere remains cheerfully Christmassy.

All-Inclusive Vacation Option

One of the primary advantages of opting for a cruise during the holidays is the ease and convenience it brings. With meals, entertainment, accommodation, and often even excursions bundled into your package, there’s no need to fret over planning every intricate detail.

This is especially beneficial during the hectic holiday season when juggling family gatherings, gift shopping, and meal preparations can become overwhelming.

On an all-inclusive cruise , the staff takes care of the minutiae, leaving you free to soak in the festivities, relish gourmet meals, and partake in entertainment options without the typical holiday stress.

Building Global Friendships

A cruise is a melting pot of cultures, with passengers hailing from various corners of the world. Christmas, a universally cherished holiday, provides a fantastic backdrop for forging new friendships.

Sharing stories of yuletide traditions from diverse backgrounds, participating in communal festive activities, or simply enjoying a holiday meal together can lead to lasting bonds. It’s a reminder that while traditions may differ, the spirit of love, gratitude, and joy remains universal.

Choosing a Christmas cruise doesn’t mean forgoing the essence of the holiday; it simply means reinventing it. Whether you seek warmth, relaxation, adventure, or novelty, the myriad benefits of a Christmas cruise ensure an unforgettable holiday experience.

As we delve deeper into this guide, you’ll discover the enchanting itineraries and cruise lines that await your festive exploration.

Top Christmas Cruise Itineraries

Caribbean christmas cruises.

Swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and sun-soaked beaches – the Caribbean offers an idyllic setting to switch up your traditional snowy Christmas.

Ports of Call Highlights

• St. Maarten: Dive into the island’s rich colonial history or relax on its famous dual-nation beaches.
• Nassau, Bahamas: Visit the iconic Atlantis Paradise Island or explore the colonial charm of this historic port.
• San Juan, Puerto Rico: Wander the cobbled streets of Old San Juan, taking in centuries-old fortresses and vibrant colonial buildings.
• Cozumel, Mexico : Dive into its world-renowned coral reefs or discover ancient Mayan ruins.

Duration and Options: Caribbean cruises over Christmas typically range from 4 to 14 nights, accommodating both short festive getaways and longer winter escapes.

European River Cruises (Christmas Markets)

Journey through the heart of Europe as towns and cities along the rivers come alive with festive spirit, hosting some of the world’s most enchanting Christmas markets.

The Magic of European Christmas Markets: Stepping onto the cobbled streets, you’re enveloped in a world where the aroma of mulled wine mingles with the scent of freshly baked pastries. Stalls adorned with twinkling lights showcase handcrafted ornaments, wooden toys, and unique holiday gifts.

Popular Rivers

• Rhine River: Cruises often start from Basel, Switzerland, and meander through Strasbourg, Cologne, ending in Amsterdam, showcasing a plethora of Christmas markets along the way.
• Danube River : Embark on a journey from Nuremberg to Budapest, traversing cities like Vienna and Passau, each hosting their distinct festive market.

Polar Christmas Cruises (e.g., Antarctic)

Trade in the traditional snowy landscape for vast icy expanses, towering icebergs, and unique wildlife with a Polar Christmas cruise .

White Christmas in a Unique Way: Celebrate amidst Antarctica’s untouched beauty. Witness the midnight sun, penguins waddling against a backdrop of glaciers, and perhaps even spot a whale or two.

Wildlife Spotting: Apart from the ubiquitous penguins, keep an eye out for seals basking on ice floes and a variety of seabirds soaring against the pristine polar sky.

Australasian & South Pacific Cruises

Experience the charm of a summery Christmas Down Under, as you sail through vibrant cities, golden beaches, and lush landscapes.

Christmas during Summertime: In destinations like Australia and New Zealand , December falls in summer. Enjoy barbecues on the deck, beach outings, and traditional Maori performances.

Visiting Islands and Coastal Cities: Ports might include Sydney with its iconic Opera House, Auckland’s scenic harbors, and the pristine beaches of Fiji or Vanuatu.

Other Noteworthy Itineraries

Transatlantic Cruises: Spend your holiday season on the open sea, embarking on a journey between the continents, typically from a European city to the Caribbean or vice versa.

Asian Cruises: Revel in the festive spirit while exploring the bustling markets in the Japan cruise ports , the serene beaches of Bali, or the historic temples of Cambodia.

South American Cruises : Head south of the equator to festive South American cruise ports. Venture into rain forests, deserts, and coastal beaches while celebrating the spirit of the season!

Each itinerary offers its own unique flavor of the festive season. Depending on your preferences – be it tropical beaches, historic cities, or icy landscapes – there’s a Christmas cruise just waiting to be explored.

Top Cruise Lines for Christmas Cruises

Royal caribbean.

One of the leading names in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean promises a dynamic and festive holiday season aboard its fleet.

Special Onboard Activities

• Holiday-themed Shows: Witness mesmerizing ice-skating performances, Broadway-style shows, and live music – all with a festive twist.
• Santa’s Parade: The big man himself, along with his troupe of elves and reindeer, marches down the Royal Promenade, creating magical moments for kids and adults alike.
• Festive Decorations and Meals: From gigantic Christmas trees to gingerbread house displays, the ship is a visual treat. Special holiday menus at their gourmet restaurants ensure a festive feast.

Viking River Cruises

For those seeking an intimate and culturally immersive Christmas experience, Viking River Cruises offers the perfect setting.

Intimate Ship Experience: With smaller ships designed for river navigation, expect a more personal service, fewer passengers, and the ability to dock in the heart of cities.

Local Christmas Market Tours: Being centered around Europe’s famous Christmas markets, Viking offers curated tours ensuring you soak in the local festive spirit, history, and crafts of each port.

Disney Cruise Line

Bring the enchantment of Disney to your Christmas celebration. Tailored especially for families, this cruise line promises a magical experience when cruising with kids .

Family-friendly Activities

• Gingerbread House Making: Craft your gingerbread masterpiece as a family activity.
• Festive Storytelling: Join characters as they narrate classic holiday tales.
• Characters in Festive Attire: Witness your favorite Disney characters donned in their holiday best, available for meet-and-greets and photo ops.

Princess Cruises

A blend of tradition and luxury, Princess Cruises offers a quintessential Christmas experience.

Traditional Holiday Festivities

• Carol Singing: Join the choir or simply enjoy the melodies of classic Christmas carols echoing through the ship.
• Midnight Mass: For those who observe, there’s an opportunity to attend a special Christmas Eve service.
• Exclusive Christmas Shows: From theatrical performances to holiday movie screenings on the top deck under the stars, there’s never a dull moment.

Other Popular Cruise Lines

• Carnival : Known for its lively atmosphere, Carnival offers an array of festive activities, from themed parties to extravagant feasts.
• Norwegian : Embrace the freestyle cruising concept while indulging in holiday-themed dinners, shows, and deck parties.
• MSC Cruises : Experience a blend of European charm and festive celebrations, with special attention to gourmet meals and entertainment.

Selecting the right cruise line can enhance your holiday experience manifold. Each line brings its unique flavor to the Christmas celebrations, catering to diverse preferences – be it family fun , cultural immersion, or sheer luxury.

How to Plan a Christmas Cruise

Choosing the right itinerary.

Your journey begins long before you set foot on the ship. Determining your ideal destinations can significantly shape your Christmas cruise experience.

• Destination Preferences: Are you seeking tropical beaches, historic European cities, or icy polar expanses? Understand what backdrop you want for your holiday celebrations.
• Cruise Length: From short 3-day getaways to extensive month-long voyages , determine how long you want to be at sea or exploring ports.

Booking in Advance

While last-minute deals can be tempting, they might not always be the best option for a festive season cruise.

• Best Time to Book for Deals: Typically, cruise prices fluctuate. However, for holiday cruises, it’s often advised to book at least 6-9 months in advance to ensure availability and reasonable rates.
• Avoiding Peak Prices: As Christmas nears, demand surges. Early booking ensures you don’t pay a premium for your holiday vacation.

Packing for a Christmas Cruise

While cruises are largely all-inclusive, packing right can enhance your experience.

• Festive Attire: Many cruises host formal dinners or themed nights. Bring along a mix of casual, festive, and formal wear. Don’t forget the ugly Christmas sweater for those onboard contests!
• Gifts and Decorations: If you’re celebrating with family, consider compact cruise gifts that are easy to pack. Also, some travelers love to bring battery-operated fairy lights or door decorations to add a personal touch to their cabins.

Onboard Activities & Events

Once aboard, there’s a plethora of activities to immerse in. Plan ahead to make the most of it.

• Joining Holiday-themed Events: Whether it’s carol singing, gingerbread house making, or festive shows, ensure you’re aware of the schedule to partake in your favorite activities.
• Specialty Meals and Dinners: Some cruise lines offer special Christmas dinners or festive high-teas. It might require prior booking, so check in advance.

Port Excursions & Tours

While the ship provides a plethora of activities, don’t miss out on the wonders of your cruise ports .

• Embracing Local Festivities: If docking in cities with Christmas markets or local festivals, take time to explore and partake in the local traditions.
• Christmas Market Tours: Especially in Europe, consider guided tours that focus on the history, crafts, and culinary delights of these iconic markets.

Planning your Christmas cruise is more than just selecting a date and destination. It’s about crafting a memorable experience, ensuring every detail, from packing to excursions, enhances your festive spirit.

With some foresight and preparation, your holiday on the high seas can become an annual tradition!

Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Christmas Cruise

Saving money.

While cruises can offer a luxurious experience, there are ways to keep the trip affordable without compromising on the festive fun.

• Off-Peak Bookings: While Christmas is peak season, consider sailing during the first two weeks of December. The festive ambiance kicks in, but prices can be significantly lower.
• Group Discounts: Traveling with family or friends? Cruise lines often provide discounts for larger groups or cabin bookings.

Ensuring Smooth Travel

Avoid unforeseen hiccups to ensure a seamless holiday experience.

• Weather Considerations: If you’re opting for a tropical or polar destination, check typical weather patterns. This can guide your packing and activity planning.
• Travel Insurance: Always a good idea, especially during the winter months when weather can cause delays or cancellations.

Embracing the Festive Spirit

Being on a cruise doesn’t mean compromising on traditional celebrations.

• Participating in Onboard Activities: Dive into the planned festive activities, from tree lighting ceremonies to holiday karaoke nights.
• Decorating Your Cabin: Bring along some foldable or compact decorations to add a festive touch to your room. It can make the space feel cozier and more personalized.

Dietary and Accessibility Needs

Cruises cater to a global audience and are generally well-equipped for diverse needs.

• Communicating Dietary Restrictions: If you have specific dietary needs or allergies, communicate this well in advance. Many cruise lines are accommodating and will ensure festive meals that suit your requirements.
• Accessibility Needs: For those with mobility challenges or other special needs, most modern ships are equipped with facilities. However, always check in advance to ensure your specific needs are met, especially for excursions.

Digital Detox

While many ships offer Wi-Fi, it can be pricey and not always reliable.

• Limiting Connectivity: Embrace the opportunity to disconnect. Inform loved ones about potential limited connectivity during the cruise.
• Onboard App Use: Many cruise lines have their own apps that operate without needing internet connectivity. They can be handy for daily schedules, ship maps, and communication with fellow travelers.

Remember, a Christmas cruise is as much about the journey as the destinations. By being proactive, embracing the onboard offerings, and keeping a few key tips in mind, you can ensure a festive voyage that might just become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Potential Drawbacks & How to Overcome Them

Missing family traditions.

Many individuals cherish age-old family traditions around the Christmas season, and the thought of being away can be daunting.

• Blend Traditions: Integrate your family customs into the cruise. This could be reading a special story on Christmas Eve, singing certain songs, or even a special meal you can request onboard.
• Digital Gatherings: Use the ship’s Wi-Fi to have a virtual meet-up with family members, sharing festive moments across the miles.

Dealing with Seasickness

The gentle (or sometimes not-so-gentle) rocking of a ship can be unsettling for some, potentially leading to seasickness.

• Preparation: Bring along seasickness patches, wristbands, or over-the-counter medications after consulting with a healthcare provider.
• Cabin Selection: Opt for a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck where motion is typically felt the least. Also, review our top cruise cabins to avoid .

Overcrowding during the Holiday Season

Christmas is a popular time to cruise, which means ships can be at full capacity.

• Plan Ahead: Book excursions, specialty dining, and shows in advance to secure spots.
• Embrace Off-Peak Times: Utilize the ship’s facilities during less popular times, such as dining a little earlier or later or using the pool during port days.

Potential for Inclement Weather

Winter voyages, especially in tropical regions, might coincide with unpredictable weather patterns.

• Flexible Itinerary: Be prepared for changes. Sometimes, ports may be skipped or swapped for safety.
• Travel Insurance: Ensure your policy covers weather-related disruptions, allowing for more peace of mind.

Pricey Onboard Expenses

From Wi-Fi charges to premium dining experiences, onboard expenses can quickly add up.

• Budget in Advance: Familiarize yourself with the costs of potential onboard expenses and set a daily spending budget.
• Take Advantage of Package Deals: Many cruise lines offer packages for Wi-Fi, drinks, or excursions, which can be more economical.

Feeling Overwhelmed with Activities

With a plethora of onboard activities, events, and shows, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

• Prioritize: Make a list of your must-do activities and spread them out over your cruise days.
• Seek Quiet Spots: Every ship has quieter areas, like a library or adult-only zones, where you can relax and rejuvenate.

Every vacation has potential challenges, and cruises are no exception. However, with a bit of foresight and flexibility, these potential drawbacks can be addressed, ensuring your Christmas cruise is a memorable and joyous experience.

Things You Don’t Want to Forget on a Christmas Cruise

Festive attire.

While you’ll be packing your regular cruise wear , don’t forget some holiday-themed clothes. Whether it’s an ugly Christmas sweater for themed nights, a Santa hat, or a fancy outfit for the Christmas gala dinner, having the right attire can add to the festive mood.

Small Gifts

If you’re traveling with family or friends, consider packing small, lightweight gifts for Christmas morning . It’ll bring a touch of tradition to your cruise cabin. Also, some passengers like to bring small tokens or cards for the cruise staff as a thank-you for working during the holidays.

Adapters and Chargers

While it’s essential for any cruise, ensure you pack the necessary adapters and chargers to keep your devices running. You’ll likely be capturing lots of memories or video-calling loved ones to share festive greetings.

Portable Decorations

To add a personal touch to your cabin, pack some compact decorations. This could include battery-operated fairy lights, door decorations, or window clings with festive designs.

Special Dietary Needs

If you have particular dietary restrictions or a favorite festive treat, consider packing them. While cruise lines are accommodating, having your favorite Christmas cookie or specialty tea can add a touch of home.

Festive Playlist or Movies

Load your device with your favorite Christmas songs or movies. While the cruise will likely have its own entertainment, there’s something special about listening or watching your festive favorites.

Holiday Reading Material

Whether it’s the classic “A Christmas Carol” or a new festive novel, having some holiday-themed reading material can set the mood during those quieter moments on the ship.

Craft Supplies

For those who love getting creative, consider packing some craft supplies. Making a special Christmas ornament while sailing can be a memorable activity, especially for kids.

Travel Documentation

Always a crucial point, but especially during the busy festive season. Ensure you have passports , cruise tickets, travel insurance documents, and any necessary visas. Having digital and physical copies is wise.

Medications and First Aid

Pack any necessary medications, especially if they’re specific to you. While cruise ships have medical facilities, having a basic first-aid kit and essential meds can be handy. This includes seasickness remedies if you’re prone to it.

Excursion Details

If you’ve pre-booked special Christmas-themed excursions or tours, make sure you have all the details, confirmation receipts, and necessary items (like walking shoes for tours).

Sunscreen and Bug Repellent

For those heading to tropical destinations, these are a must. While it might be winter back home, tropical sun can be intense, and some regions can have bugs or mosquitos.

Embarking on a Christmas cruise is a unique experience, blending the magic of the seas with the festive spirit of the holiday. By ensuring you’ve packed these essential items, you’ll be setting the stage for a seamless, memorable, and festive voyage.

Personal Experiences & Testimonials

We have gathered some of our readers’ and other travel bloggers’ personal experiences with Christmas cruises and have some quotes outlined down below. If you have not been convinced by now to go ahead and book that cruise, these family experiences will surely sway you!

The Johnson Family – First-Time Cruisers

“Our first Christmas cruise was a game-changer. We were hesitant about missing our traditional snowy Christmas in Vermont, but the warm beaches of the Caribbean and the festive atmosphere onboard won us over. The kids loved the special Christmas activities, and we even got to video call our extended family from the middle of the ocean!”

Clara & David – Retired Couple

“Having cruised several times, we decided to try a Christmas cruise through Europe’s river systems. The charm of the European Christmas markets, combined with the cozy ambiance of the ship, was magical. Sipping on mulled wine, exploring artisan stalls, and returning to our decorated cabin was an experience we’d cherish forever.”

Raj & Anika – Honeymooners

“Choosing a Christmas cruise for our honeymoon was the best decision. The ship was adorned with lights, mistletoe, and there was a romantic touch to everything. Special dinners under the stars, dancing to festive tunes, and exploring exotic ports made it a unique blend of romance and celebration.”

Mike – Solo Traveler

“I opted for a Christmas cruise as a solo traveler, slightly apprehensive about feeling lonely during the festive season. To my surprise, the communal spirit onboard was infectious. From shared meals to group activities, I forged friendships that extended beyond the cruise. It was a Christmas of new beginnings and cherished memories.”

The Rodriguez Family – Multi-generational Travel

“Traveling with kids, parents, and grandparents, we needed a vacation that catered to all ages. Our Christmas cruise did just that. From kids’ clubs with festive crafts to classic carol singing evenings, there was something for everyone. It became a beautiful blend of new experiences while cherishing old traditions.”

Personal experiences breathe life into the idea of a Christmas cruise. These stories, from travelers of varied backgrounds, showcase the universality of the festive spirit, the magic of the seas, and the unique charm that a Christmas cruise brings to the holiday season.

The allure of the open seas, the promise of new horizons, and the warmth of shared celebrations weave together the enchanting tapestry of a Christmas cruise. It’s not just about swapping snowflakes for sandy shores or cityscapes for serene waters; it’s about reimagining the festive spirit, crafting new traditions, and immersing oneself in a world of shared joy and wonder.

As we’ve journeyed through this guide, the myriad facets of a Christmas cruise have unfolded – from the tropical allure of the Caribbean to the festive charm of European markets, from the grandeur of luxury liners to the intimate embrace of river cruises. Yet, at the heart of it all is the universal sentiment of Christmas – a time of love, reflection, and celebration.

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or contemplating your maiden voyage, a Christmas cruise offers an invitation – to witness the world in its festive finery, to bond with loved ones, and to gather stories that warm the heart long after the journey concludes.

So, as the festive season beckons, perhaps it’s time to consider a new backdrop for your celebrations – one where horizons stretch endlessly and where every sunset promises a new adventure.

May your holiday season be filled with the magic of the seas, the joy of discovery, and the warmth of shared memories. Here’s to new traditions, unforgettable experiences, and the timeless charm of Christmas cruises!

FAQs on Christmas Cruises

Q1: Is a Christmas cruise more expensive than regular cruises?

A: Generally, cruises during the festive season can be pricier due to the high demand. However, by booking in advance, choosing off-peak dates in December, or looking for special deals, you can find competitive rates.

Q2: Will there be special Christmas meals and menus onboard?

A: Absolutely! Most cruise lines offer special festive menus for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This can range from traditional roasts and turkeys to gourmet festive-themed dishes.

Q3: Can I attend religious services onboard during Christmas?

A: Many cruise lines offer religious services, especially for significant holidays like Christmas. This could be a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve or other Christian services on Christmas Day. It’s advisable to check with the cruise line in advance.

Q4: Are Christmas cruises suitable for children and families?

A: Yes, Christmas cruises are a hit with families! Many cruise lines offer special kids’ clubs, activities, and entertainment options tailored for the festive season. Santa Claus appearances, gift-giving, and themed parties are common onboard.

Q5: What should I pack for a Christmas cruise?

A: This largely depends on your destination. For tropical itineraries, pack summer wear but add some festive attire for themed nights. For colder regions, warm clothing is essential. Consider also packing small decorations or festive wear to get into the holiday spirit.

Q6: Will the ship be decorated for Christmas?

A: Absolutely. Cruise ships go all out during the festive season, decking the halls with lights, trees, wreaths, and more. The ambiance onboard is decidedly Christmassy.

Q7: Are shops onboard open on Christmas Day?

A: Most shops onboard cruise ships remain open on Christmas Day, although their hours might be limited. It’s an excellent opportunity for last-minute gift shopping.

Q8: Can I bring my own Christmas decorations?

A: Yes, many passengers bring along compact or foldable decorations to add a personal festive touch to their cabins. Battery-operated fairy lights, door decorations, and small tabletop ornaments are popular choices.

Q9: Do cruise lines offer New Year’s celebrations as well?

A: Definitely! If your cruise spans the New Year, expect grand celebrations. This could include themed parties, countdowns, fireworks (where permitted), and special New Year’s Day brunches or meals.

Q10: Will there be Christmas-themed entertainment and shows?

A: Most definitely. Cruise lines curate special entertainment for the holiday season. This can range from carol singing, festive theater productions, holiday movie screenings, to live music with a Christmassy twist.

Q11: Can I embark on a Christmas cruise solo?

A: Absolutely. Many solo travelers opt for Christmas cruises. Cruise lines often host meet-and-greets or communal dining options for solo travelers, making it easy to meet others and share in the festive spirit.

Q12: Is Wi-Fi available to connect with family during Christmas?

A: Most modern cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, though it’s often for a fee and may not be as fast as your home connection. If staying connected is crucial, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi package.

13. How are Christmas cruises different from other themed cruises?

A: Christmas cruises are specifically tailored for the festive season. This means you can expect ship-wide decorations, special holiday entertainment, festive meals, and themed activities. Other themed cruises, whether they focus on music genres, culinary experiences, or specific holidays, will have events and activities unique to their theme.

14. Can I book excursions that focus on Christmas festivities at ports?

A: Yes, especially in destinations known for their festive celebrations. For instance, in Europe, many excursions focus on visiting Christmas markets. It’s always recommended to check excursion options in advance and book early, as festive excursions can be popular.

15. I’m vegetarian/vegan. Will there be festive meal options for me?

A: Most cruise lines cater to a variety of dietary needs, especially during festive meals. It’s advisable to notify the cruise line of your dietary restrictions in advance to ensure they can accommodate your needs.

16. Do I need to tip more during the festive season?

A: While not obligatory, it’s a kind gesture to tip a bit extra during the festive season, considering the crew is working hard to ensure passengers have a memorable holiday experience away from their own families.

17. Will I get to see Santa Claus on the cruise?

A: Many cruise lines feature a Santa Claus visit, especially on cruises tailored for families. Expect gift-giving ceremonies, photo ops, and special activities revolving around Santa.

18. Are there specific Christmas cruises for seniors?

A: While most cruises cater to a broad age range, some cruise lines are known for a more mature and relaxed ambiance, which can be preferable for seniors. River cruises or luxury cruise lines often offer a quieter, intimate experience with fewer children.

19. Do Christmas cruises host charity events during the season?

A: Some cruise lines do incorporate the spirit of giving into their festive celebrations, hosting onboard charity events or fundraisers. These might include auctions, donation drives, or special performances.

20. I celebrate Hanukkah. Will there be provisions to observe the holiday?

A: Many cruise lines, especially those catering to a diverse clientele, recognize multiple holidays during the festive season. Onboard observances for Hanukkah might include menorah lightings, special meals, and related activities.

21. What kind of festive activities can kids expect onboard?

A: Children are well-catered to during Christmas cruises. Expect themed craft sessions, festive movies, special appearances by Santa and other characters, youth club celebrations, and even holiday-themed games or treasure hunts.

22. How early should I arrive at the port for a Christmas cruise departure?

A: Given the busy nature of the festive season and potential weather-related disruptions, it’s advisable to arrive at your departure port a day in advance. If arriving on the day, aim to be at the port at least 3-4 hours before departure.

23. Do cruise lines offer special discounts or packages for Christmas cruises?

A: It’s common for cruise lines to offer early-bird discounts or package deals (like beverage packages, free Wi-Fi, or excursion credits) to entice travelers. Always keep an eye out for promotions, especially during booking season.

Christmas Cruising: Pros and Cons

Christmas time is the wonderful time of the year. Everyone agrees. People look for enjoyment and interaction with family and friends.

It is not surprising that cruising in Christmas time became extremely popular for mini-family reunions and multigenerational travel. As everything in this world, this comes with pros and cons. This helps you to determine if a Christmas cruise is a good idea or bad idea.

Cruise is a Common Ground for the Whole Family

Meet your family or/and friends on cruise ship as a neutral territory. As humans, we have likes and dislikes. We are happy to see some people and we don’t want to see some people in our houses. But we have to. In many situations we don’t have a choice. Cruising is a perfect solution! It is a neural territory for everyone in extended families. You have power to control how many times per day you are able interact with some people. Also, when you spent more time with people you are not really happy to see but ‘have to’, you will better understand them. I had situations when a big family left for a Christmas cruise with a lot of politics inside and returned back totally different – more united with less politics.

Festive Spirit

Every cruise line decorate ships with Christmas trees, garlands, gingerbread houses and fairy towns. There are carols and Christmas concerts. It is not a regular cruise – you are inspired and relaxed in the festive atmosphere. There are religious services of all faiths onboard available also.

Eating Multicourse Dinner in Nice Restaurants

No cooking, no cleaning, no comments about your or your wife cooking skills. Everyone is happy to sit down at Christmas Eve and enjoy meals and conversation. This is the best time of the year for the whole family.

Drinking with Confidence

You can drink during New Year Eve and don’t even think about driving. You are at sea! You can enjoy as many cocktails as you wish until bartender let you know that he stops to serve you. Cruise lines don’t allow bartenders to over serve alcohol beverages to guests.

New Year Countdown

Countdown with whole your family and a few other thousands cruise buddies for the New Year. It is fun! Simply show up just before a New Year on the top deck and enjoy.

Warm Weather in the Caribbean

This is a great idea to leave winter behind and jump into summer for Christmas. Simply relax on sunny beach, snorkel and play with kids. This is a Christmas your family will never forget.

Cruises are More Expensive during Christmas Time

This is true. Cruise lines make the top dollar during the festival season. Try to make reservations at least 9 months in advance or 2 weeks prior departure. Sometimes cruise lines keep high prices for too long and have unsold inventory a few weeks prior departure.

Highest Ship Occupancy

Cruise liners have 100% occupancy on Christmas sailings in most cases. So, ships are too crowded in some places. It is important to have a strategy in place where to have your breakfast or lunch. I recommend to avoid the Windjammer Café and eat in small nice eateries or main dining room with waitress service.

Airfare is Expensive

This is the main problem for a Christmas cruise: airlines are trying to make top dollar also. I recommend to use the following strategy to make airfare more affordable:

• Use miles if possible
• Use low cost airlines
• Check out all airports in your area. Sometimes driving 1 hour more may save you a few hundreds of dollars
• Shop on airfare on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, avoid Fridays and weekends.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Feel free to share it with your friends and family on social media of your choice. Personally, I prefer Facebook.

If you wish to book a cruise leave me a message in form above or call at 772 777-1337.

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Nadia Jastrjembskaia

Elite Cruise Counselor

Nadia Jastrjembslaia. PhD. is a CLIA certified Cruise Counselor in the highest rank of Elite Cruise Counselor and Luxury Cruise Specialist. CLIA stands for Cruise Line International Association. She is a managing director of Aurora Cruises and Travel - storefront cruise travel agency in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She experienced more than 80 cruise ships and sailings. Nadia is a published author with her new book Suite Cruising on Royal Caribbean Fleet is scheduled to hit market in March 2016.

Latest posts from Nadia Jastrjembskaia

• Better Stateroom for Less: Advantage Upgrade Program - January 25, 2017
• Plan to cruise in 2017? - December 29, 2016
• Tips for Holiday Travel - December 15, 2016

The Best Holiday Cruises Are With Princess!

Holiday Celebrations at Sea

A variety of holiday activities on board offer fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to pack your festive outfits and take part in the holiday cheer! Enjoy games & activities including:

• Stanley breakfast event – wear your family pajamas
• Storytime with Stanley
• Holiday family fun fair
• Holiday themed PJ party
• Ugly sweater party
• Gingerbread house making*
• Santa gift giving
• Snow in the Piazza
• Family snowman building competition*

*Subject to availability

Christmas Cruises

Take a Christmas cruise with Princess

White Christmas

Regardless of where you're sailing, it actually snows in the Atrium of your decked‐out Princess ship. And of course, Santa visits each of our ships for gift giving — we offer cookies for him, and carrots for his reindeer. Experience the Christmas tree lighting and mingle with Kris Kringle as Yuletide Carolers sing joyful classics onboard your ship. And our very own Stanley the bear joins in on the fun for holiday storytime and breakfast event. Don't forget to pack and wear your family holiday matching pajamas!

View Holiday cruises

Baby It's Cold Outside...

But it’s warm and toasty onboard a Princess ship! Enjoy Christmas on a cruise ship as you sip eggnog, compete in a magical gingerbread house‐making contest, snowman building competition or design a special keepsake ornament. Revel in the Ugly Sweater party (don't forget to pack it!), Holiday Family Fun Fair, and countless joyful activities await you on your holiday cruise.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The most wonderful time of the year should be wonderful for everyone. That’s why Princess, voted the best cruise line for multigenerational families (Portholes) offers the best Christmas cruises for families and guests of all ages. Kids can go play in our youth and teen centers, where they’ll enjoy fun holiday parties (and you’ll enjoy evening kid-sitting for a nominal fee so parents can celebrate a festive night out too!). Then the whole family can reunite for a stress-free Christmas dinner, feasting on a delicious banquet while cherishing each other’s company.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and New Year's Cruises

The Best Thanksgiving Cruises

Enjoy lovely autumn décor, take part in a Turkey Calling Contest, and add a special message to our annual Tree of Thanks in the ship's Atrium.

View Thanksgiving cruises

Thanksgiving Dinner

Leave the cooking to Princess, and join us for an elaborate traditional holiday feast in the dining room, complete with all the trimmings.

Thanksgiving under the Stars

What would Thanksgiving be without football? Watch the games on our Movies Under the Stars ® outdoor big screen.

Hanukkah Cruises

The Festival of Lights burns brightly with a menorah‐lighting ceremony, themed crafts, festive décor and special events, like a reading of Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah on the first night of Hanukkah.

View Hanukkah celebration cruises

Hanukkah Traditions

Enjoy traditional Hanukkah delicacies specially prepared by our professional chefs, such as potato latkes and gefilte fish. You can even pre-order kosher meals!

New Year's Cruises

Take a New Year's cruise. Count down and count your blessings on the biggest night of the year with a special New Year’s Eve dinner followed by a midnight celebratory Champagne toast.

View New Year's cruises

The Best Holiday Cruises — All Year Round

Mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, with time–honored traditions for an immersive experience. Our Chinese New Year celebrations include symbolic red decorations that adorn the Piazza, mythological Lion Dancers thrill spectators, and much more.

View Chinese New Year cruises

Love, life’s sweetest reward, is celebrated with hearts and flowers and special touches throughout the ship. Onboard, you can make a card for your sweetheart, send a singing telegram, renew your vows, watch themed Movies Under the Stars, and so much more.

View Valentine's Day cruises

Celebrations of hope and springtime abound during this holy period. Onboard, you can participate in a Seder service, sit down with family for a traditional Easter dinner, and enjoy special visits from the Easter Bunny, and a candy egg hunt.

View Easter & Passover cruises

What’s the #1 travel gift moms want? A Mother's day cruise. Celebrate and pamper mom onboard with a relaxing spa treatment, a specially-themed balcony breakfast, complimentary sparkling wine and a rose at dinner, and much more.

View Mother's Day cruises

Watch the big game on our giant Movies Under the Stars screen, complete with grilled burgers and craft beers on deck. Treat your special dad to a hand–cut steak cooked to order at the Crown Grill. Celebrate the day with a whiskey tasting at the Wheelhouse Bar. It will be a Father’s Day he never forgets!

View Father's Day cruises

Halloween on a Princess cruise ship promises more treats than tricks. Delight in spooky décor while carving pumpkins in the Princess Piazza. Ghostly grown-ups can attend our Halloween Fright Night Party, while little pumpkins can enjoy a costume parade, scavenger hunt, and, of course, lots of candy!

View Halloween cruises

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Christmas market river cruises: What to expect on a holiday sailing

Sailing down one of Europe's stunning rivers is a dream trip no matter the time of year, but at Christmas time it's even more special. Ships take travelers from port to port to experience the incredible Christmas markets where stalls are adorned with glittering lights, the smells of sausages and baked goods fill the air, and the sounds of carols can be heard.

Starting in late November through Christmas every year, the cities and towns along the Danube, Rhine, Seine and other rivers set up markets that display each region's holiday traditions. Many of the most popular river cruise lines with ships based in Europe schedule festive cruises to take travelers to shop and dine at these seasonal markets.

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If you're thinking about booking a Christmas market river cruise but don't know where to start, we've got you covered. Here, we've answered the most popular questions about Christmas market river cruises and shared our top tips and tricks to get the most out of the trip.

Is a Christmas market river cruise worth it?

The number-one question people asked me in person and online after I did a Christmas market river cruise down the Danube with Viking in December 2023 was: Is the trip worth it? I vote yes, but there are some things you should know before booking a Christmas market cruise.

If you've had visiting the Christmas markets of Europe on your bucket list, a river cruise is a great way to explore multiple markets in one trip. One of the biggest perks of a river cruise versus a land-based trip is that you unpack once, and your accommodations and dining options float with you down the river from town to town.

Additionally, the cruise director on board acted more like a personal concierge for guests who had questions, giving suggestions for things to do, places to eat and what each Christmas market was known for.

On my seven-night river cruise, I visited six ports and enjoyed a half day of scenic sailing through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our ports of call were Budapest; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna; Krems, Austria; Linz, Austria; and Passau, Germany. Each port had at least one Christmas market.

I was most impressed by Vienna, which had two, but the one near City Hall is the one that makes most of the viral TikTok videos and Instagram reels. The City Hall Christmas market is the larger of the two in the city center and is more photogenic. But be sure to go to both Christmas markets in the city. They are about a 10-minute walk from each other and have different foods to try and souvenirs to buy.

Related: The best Christmas market river cruises to book

Which rivers are the best for a Christmas markets cruise?

Picking a river for your cruise can be a challenge, especially if you're not familiar with the destinations on the itinerary. Cruises on the Danube and Rhine are the most popular at this time of year because their ports of call are where most of our Christmas traditions were first created.

On the Danube, you can visit destinations like Vienna, Austria and Passau and Regensburg, Germany. Alternatively, on the Rhine, destinations of interest include Amsterdam; Cologne, Germany; Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.

After you find a few river cruises that fit your travel dates, dig into each destination and what it has to offer. Christmas markets are open from midmorning until between 8 and 10 p.m., but there's not enough to do at each market to fill that entire time. I usually spent about an hour at the smaller markets in places like Passau and Linz and about two to three hours at the larger markets in Vienna and Budapest. In each port, you'll want to be sure there are more activities and attractions to fill the rest of your time in port.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Which river cruise line is best for a Christmas cruise?

Cruise lines that offer Christmas market cruises include Viking , Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways , CroisiEurope, Uniworld and Tauck.

Uniworld cruises are the most expensive, with prices ranging from $3,399 to $7,199 for 8- to 11-day sailings throughout the season. Tauck is also pricier than its competitors, but it's one of the few options that has a family cruise option.

Avalon Waterways offers a more affordable way to see the Christmas markets, with cruises starting at $2,167 for six days of traveling from Budapest to Vienna. But be warned, some cruises do sell out almost a year in advance. CroisiEurope cruises are also more affordable and offer closed-loop cruises where you start and end in the same destination, which is not something that most other river cruise lines offer for Christmas market cruises.

If you're looking for a more active cruise, consider AmaWaterways, where bikes are always available to use in port. On the Danube Christmas Markets tour, you can bike from Weissenkirchen to Melk, passing picturesque villages and vineyards.

Viking is known to be slower-paced than its competitors, with a relaxed vibe. Guest won't have as many choices of activities off or on the ship. The included tours are mostly walking tours.

Related: AmaWaterways vs. Viking: Which of these popular river cruise lines is right for you?

How do I get a good deal on a Christmas market cruise?

Because of the short season for Christmas market river cruises, getting a deal can prove to be a challenge. The best way to get a deal is to book early.

It's common for people to book a Christmas market cruise a year or more in advance. Some companies will offer a discounted deposit for those who book early, and others will offer monetary savings for booking well in advance. Look for wave season (January through March) or Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday deals for river cruise discounts or other promotional offers.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here's what you need to know

Do Christmas cruises sell out?

Yes, Christmas cruises can and do sell out. Most riverboats only hold 100 to 200 passengers. The best way to ensure you get the type of cabin and sailing date that you want is to book early.

The more desirable balcony and suite rooms often sell out first, followed by rooms with only upper windows. Cruises that take place in the middle of the season, meaning the first two to three weeks of December, are often more popular than the last week of November or the week of Christmas since some markets might not be open at those times.

Related: These are the best Christmas cruises you can book

How cold is Europe in winter?

The weather is, of course, determined by when and where you're going. Middle and Eastern Europe is often colder than Western Europe, the latter of which has a milder winter season. The later in the Christmas market season you travel, the more likely you are to get rain or snow since winter is setting in across the continent.

On my Viking river cruise from Budapest to Passau in Eastern Europe, the winter weather varied from days with cold rain where I needed to bundle up with extra waterproof layers, to beautiful sunny days where I could strip off my winter jacket for a few hours while touring the Christmas markets.

I used the weather app on my phone to help me determine what to pack. Even 10 days out from my trip, the app was fairly accurate with what the temperatures would be, which ranged from the 20s to the high 40s, and what the day would look like.

What should I wear on my river cruise?

Packing for a river cruise in the middle of winter was the most challenging part of the trip for me. Not only did I have to buy winter clothes since I live in Florida, but I needed to make sure I brought enough layers to keep me warm.

For days exploring the ports, I wore jeans and waterproof boots with long cozy socks, plus a thermal long-sleeved shirt under a sweater. I also brought a midweight puffy winter jacket to wear off the ship. Accessories like a warm hat or ear warmers, gloves and a scarf were also helpful.

Depending on the river cruise line you book, the onboard attire may range from casual to a little more fancy. During the day on Viking, many people wore jeans or sweatpants and a casual shirt. Evenings brought out the more elevated fashion; women donned cute sweaters and dresses, while men dressed in jeans and nicer tops or sweaters.

If you can, I suggest bringing at least two pairs of outdoor shoes in case your waterproof shoes can't handle the snow or a few days of rain in a row. I brought a pair of fleece-lined Crocs to wear off the ship in a few ports where the weather was warmer with no precipitation.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

When should I arrive at the embarkation port?

Always try to arrive at least a day early for any river cruise, especially if you're flying overseas. For some river cruises, the embarkation port is just that, a place to get on the ship and leave. If you arrive the day your cruise begins, you could miss out on exploring the city.

Even if your Christmas market river cruise does have an overnight stay in the embarkation city with tours the next day, it's still best to arrive a day early. Travel days from the United States to Europe can be unpredictable, with delays and missed connections, so you should give yourself plenty of time to get to the ship so you don't miss it.

Some river cruise lines offer pre-cruise extensions that you can bundle with the cruise booking and allow you to arrive early at the embarkation port. These extensions include a hotel stay, and some include a few meals and a guided tour, plus transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship.

Are the markets all the same?

Every Christmas market is different in the overall vibe and what it has to offer for visitors. Do some research before you leave home to see what the highlight of each Christmas market is. I did a lot of my research on TikTok and Instagram so I could see what the person was talking about.

In Budapest, the Christmas market in the square in front of St. Stephen's Basilica was a good mix of crafts, decorations and tasty food to try. On the other hand, the Christmas market in Bratislava was more of a food market with just a few stalls for buying goodies to bring home with you.

My favorite Christmas market was the one at City Hall in Vienna, which happens to be one of the most popular in Europe. It had everything from ice skating and photo-worthy backdrops to prepackaged sweets and plenty of Christmas decorations to try to fit into my already full suitcase.

What are the best things to buy at European Christmas markets?

Popular things to buy at Christmas markets throughout Europe include nativity scenes, handmade toys, nutcrackers, candles and glass or wood ornaments. If something catches your eye, buy it; there's no guarantee you'll find a similar item at the next market.

For example, in Vienna, I spotted a gold beaded ornament that I loved, and I bought it for about 10 euros (about $10.86). I never saw any other beaded ornaments at the Christmas markets before or after Vienna, so I was glad I purchased it when I saw it.

Do make sure that you're buying local products. On my Viking cruise, we were told that some markets are starting to sell mass-produced goods from China. If you want to support local artisans, ask the vendor or look for stickers that say where the products were made.

What should I eat or drink at each market?

Eating and drinking is a key component of the Christmas market experience. Each market sells an abundance of food, and the food options change from town to town.

Before you cruise, make a list of regional foods you wish to try in each market. Once at the market, look around to see which food stands are popular with locals. Follow their lead because they likely know who has the best treats.

Here are my favorite sweet and savory treats from each Christmas market I visited on my Viking cruise.

• Budapest: chimney cake rolled in crushed hazelnuts
• Bratislava: pork and garlic spiral sausage, potato pancakes similar to latkes but the size of a dinner plate
• Vienna: Champagne cream-filled donut
• Linz: raclette cheese on toasted bread
• Passau: cheese, ham and onion sengzelten (a sort of flatbread with toppings), traditional German bratwurst

Drinking at Christmas markets around Europe normally means getting a hot glass of glühwein, which is mulled wine made with red wine, spices and fruit. The drink is normally served in cute mugs that you can keep as a fun and cheap souvenir. If you don't want to keep your mug, you can return it and get back a euro or two.

What else can I do in each market besides shop?

Each Christmas market is different, and the things to do besides shopping are also varied.

Most of the larger markets, like the ones in Bratislava and Budapest, have live music playing from a bandstand that you can enjoy. In Budapest, the market near St. Stephen's Basilica had a projection show on the exterior of the church, too.

While touring one of the Linz markets, I stumbled upon a small carnival where rides and games were set up for kids to enjoy. Then in Vienna, the City Hall Christmas market had an ice skating rink that was popular with families and couples.

Related: Are river cruises right for kids?

What times do the markets open and close?

Generally, the Christmas markets open in midmorning, anywhere from 9 to 10 a.m., and close between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Some markets will open earlier, and some will close later.

The best way to know the times of each market you're visiting is to do a quick internet search close to the time of your river cruise. Put the name of the city and the words "Christmas Market hours" into your preferred online search tool to get the operational hours for each market.

Do you need cash for the Christmas markets?

You should always carry some cash with you for the Christmas markets. While many of the vendors will take credit cards or Apple Pay, others only want cash.

It's also a good idea to know the currency of each destination you're going to. For example, in Hungary, euros are not accepted anywhere, so I exchanged dollars for Hungarian forints to use at the Christmas market.

What can I do in each city before or after the Christmas market?

Your river cruise will offer an included tour every day. On my Viking river cruise, each day's included tour was a walking tour of the city to point out historic landmarks and show people how to get to the Christmas markets.

After a few days, I found the walking tours somewhat repetitive. They all showed off the major church in the city center and described how the city navigated various wars. The guides make or break the tours, and you never know who you'll get. So I used the tours to help navigate to the city center, then ventured off on my own with my travel companion. We used walking directions on Google Maps as a way to get to destinations we were interested in and to get back to the ship once we were ready to warm up for a while.

River cruises include a lot of perks, including docking right at the edge of most of the towns you visit. This means that in many destinations, you can walk from the ship to the middle of town in mere minutes. Before or after visiting the Christmas market, you can spend your time exploring the city, dining in a local restaurant, sipping hot coffee in a cafe or popping into shops.

For larger destinations like Vienna, Paris or Amsterdam, you might want to do extra research on what there is to do in the city for free or at a discount. Many museums offer free or discounted entry on select days or to select ages.

Bottom line

If you've ever wanted to explore European Christmas markets, a river cruise is an easy way to do it. Many of the best river cruise brands and guided group tour companies offer Christmas markets river cruises throughout Europe.

You'll make the most of your vacation if you do a little bit of research to determine what there is to do in each city before or after your market visit, which local foods you should try and what to shop for at the markets themselves.

No matter which river you traverse, cruise line you pick, or Christmas markets you visit, you'll be able to immerse yourself in European holiday culture, learning about the food and drink specialties of the places you visit and how each destination celebrates the holidays. And since you're on a river cruise, you can experience multiple cities and countries while someone else does the navigation for you, and you only have to unpack once.

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What’s the Best Month to Cruise? Pros & Cons of Sailing Each Month of the Year

Let’s get one thing straight right at the start. There is no bad time to cruise . Whether you want to have a summer vacation or a winter getaway, the weather somewhere in the Caribbean is always warm and welcoming.

That said, with our experiences having sailed seemingly every month on the calendar, we have found there are definite advantages and disadvantages to sailing each month of the year. For example, cruises in August offer the ability to sail when the kids are out of school (meaning entire families can travel together). On the other hand, August is also notorious for hurricanes disrupting travel to Caribbean ports.

As you’ll see below, there are trade-offs with each time of year to sail. No month is perfect. However, many of the potential downsides are manageable in our opinion — and shouldn’t deter you from taking a cruise when it fits your schedule and budget.

Taking a Cruise in January

Pros : We like sailing in January as one of the biggest advantages of cruising this time of year is price. During this time of year school is in session and many people are back at work after a holiday break. That means it’s difficult for many to cruise. Cruise lines typically have discounted rates to fill up the ship in January; the same cruise departing at the height of the busy summer can cost hundreds of dollars more than in January.

As well, when winter has gripped most of North America, the Caribbean still offers a warm getaway with lots of sunshine. It’s a welcome change from the snow and cold see in most areas.

Cons : If you are a family, it might be tough for you to take a January cruise. It will usually mean the kids have to skip a few days of school to take the trip. In addition, if you have to fly in for your cruise, there are chances of winter weather causing delays to your schedule. You’ll want to make sure you plan your flight to arrive the day before your cruise, just in case. 

As well, this time of year trips from the West Coast will still be cool and Alaskan cruises don’t start sailing until April/May.

Taking a Cruise in February

Pros : February offers the same advantages to sailing as you see in January. Fares are normally discounted, with the ability to save hundreds on a cruise by sailing in February versus the height of the summer season. It’s also cold in most of the United States and Canada, making a warm getaway awfully enticing.

Cons : Like January, you might find it difficult to take time off after the holidays to enjoy a cruise. Doing so means spending vacation days early in the year and/or having the kids miss school. There are also still strong snowstorms in many parts of North America during February, meaning it’s possible that getting to the port can be an adventure if you have to fly in for your cruise from a northern city. 

As well, even if sailing to the Caribbean, the pools and water on a ship may still be too cool to enjoy fully. Don’t plan on spending much time in the water in our experience.

Taking a Cruise in March

Pros : With warmer weather and Spring Break, a cruise is on many people’s minds come March. In fact, if you are a Spring Breaker, this is a great time to sail as a cruise offers an affordable getaway to the beach without having to worry about flights or hotel. Just hop on the ship and start your vacation.

As well, if you’re headed to the Caribbean, March can be warm — but not too warm compared to the heat of the summer months.

Cons : If you aren’t a Spring Break fan, then this might not be the best month to sail. Cruises — especially shorter trips (3-5 days) — will have a younger crowd and more of a party atmosphere. You’ll also see a spike in prices starting in mid-March as cruise lines raise prices for trips that coincide with Spring Break.

Taking a Cruise in April

Pros : April represents one of your last chances to get a deal on a cruise before the busy summer sailing season. Discounts and deals are still available up until about mid-May, giving you the chance to save a bundle on a trip compared to sailing just a month or two later. As well, the threat of snow is diminished in northern parts of the United States and hurricane season isn’t here yet for port cities. It’s hard to find better weather than what you get in April.

Cons : After Spring Break, it’s back to school and work for most people. That means many have a tough time taking a trip at this time a year. That’s unfortunate because April is the “Goldilocks” of cruise months for the Caribbean — it features affordable prices, good weather, and is before hurricane season gets cranked up, which always adds a wildcard to travel in the Caribbean.

Taking a Cruise in May

Pros : Heading into May, cruisers hitting the Caribbean can start to experience some warmer weather both at home and on their cruise. While the water and beach are typically warm enough for swimming and laying out even during the coldest winter months, it is a few degrees warmer in May, which can make it more inviting to hit the beach. For example, Cozumel’s average high in January is 83, compared to 91 degrees in May. If you’re the type who loves warm water, May is when things start to heat up.

Cons : If you wait until too late in the month, you’ll start to see higher prices for your cruise. The end of May marks the start of the summer cruising season, and fares start to jump up. One place where you can save? Cruises to Alaska typically start their season in May, and it’s the cheapest month to sail to that region . We’ve sailed Alaska this time of year and highly recommend it.

Taking a Cruise in June

Pros : If you want a summer getaway with warm weather and water, June is a great choice. Hurricane season starts June 1st, but it’s still rare that you’ll have a chance of a hurricane this early. Meanwhile, the Caribbean is starting to heat up so you can have a true beach summer vacation without worrying about it being too chilly either on the ship or in port. Also, with the kids out of school, you can take them on your trip without worrying about absences.

Cons : With schools out of session and the popular summer vacation season, fares spike for June and through the rest of summer. You’ll usually be paying more for the same cruise compared to taking it earlier in the year. As well, if you aren’t the type that likes to cruise with families on the ship, then keep in mind that summer months typically see an influx of kids.

Taking a Cruise in July

Pros : Like June, you’ll find warm and sunny days filling July. And with the kids out of classes, you’ll have the opportunity to sail without missing school, making it an ideal time to cruise if you are traveling with kids. While it is warm in the Caribbean, regular afternoon “pop-up” showers can help cool things off during the heat of the afternoon. This also represents the height of the Alaskan cruise season, offering the most options (albeit at higher prices) of the year.

Cons : The biggest negative with sailing in July is hot weather. On sunny days, it can get downright hot in many Caribbean ports. If you aren’t used to the heat and humidity, it can be draining. As well, you should start to look out for hurricanes and tropical storms during July — especially if traveling later in the month. While cruise ships will avoid any storms, they can be unpredictable and cause changes to your itinerary.

Also, just keep in mind that you should expect the highest cruise fares of the year during this time.

Taking a Cruise in August

Pros : Consider August the last hurrah if you want to be able to cruise with the kids out of school. While the weather is hot, being able to travel as a family without missing school days is the biggest draw of sailing in this month. If the kids don’t start back until September, then you can sometimes find deals late in the month that can save you considerably on your cruise fare.

Cons : Similar to July, you can run into weather issues in August. Specifically, the heat and humidity is at its worst in the Caribbean during August. While afternoon showers can cool things off, they are not a guarantee. You also have to start worrying seriously about hurricanes. Late August is reaching the peak of hurricane season. While the chances are low that your specific cruise will be hit by a storm (cruise lines steer clears of storms as much as possible), it could disrupt your trip if a hurricane hits a port of call.

Taking a Cruise in September

Pros : With the busy summer cruise season past, students back to school, and summer vacations in the rear view mirror, September offers a “shoulder” season of sorts. While the Caribbean is still warm — perfect for those that want to hit the beach and the water — cruise fares are heavily discounted versus the expensive summer months. In other words, you get the warm weather of the summer with the lower prices of the fall. As well, your cruise is likely to have fewer kids onboard. It’s also the last chance to sail Alaska for the season, when crowds are fewer and fares are generally cheaper.

Cons : September actually marks the peak of hurricane season. Historically, the first week of the month is the busiest for storms and then activity quickly drops off later in the month. Still, even if your ship isn’t directly impacted by a storm, it can cause issues at Caribbean ports.

Taking a Cruise in October

Pros : If you’re not wanting to deal with heat, then October is a great time to visit the Caribbean. While the humidity is always a factor, October sees the start of a cooling trend in the weather. As well, while hurricanes can occur in October, the season is largely over so you don’t have to worry about them disrupting your trip as much. Finally, cruise prices also fall during this time of year, meaning you can book a solid deal without spending a bundle.

Cons : It shouldn’t be a surprise that April and October are two months that we consider great times to sail. Like April, the biggest con is that it can be difficult for people with kids to travel without taking their children out of school for a few days. Apart from that, the month sees good weather and cheaper fares, and it’s before the harsh winter hits many places in the U.S. and Canada, disrupting air travel to the port or the weather in the port city.

Taking a Cruise in November

Pros : By the time November rolls around, people are starting to think of warmer weather, especially if you live in a cold area. Taking a trip during this month can lead you away from the cold and gray to the warm and blue. It’s also a great time to find cheap cruises, apart from trips that sail during the Thanksgiving holiday (which are more expensive).

Cons : Scheduling around the Thanksgiving holiday can be tough, and if you have to fly to your cruise during the busiest travel time in the United States, it can mean dealing with long lines and delays at airports. Apart from that, November is a great time to book a cruise with cheap deals and nice weather in the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Taking a Cruise in December

Pros : The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the absolute cheapest times to sail. With many people not looking to travel between these two major holidays, cruise lines slash fares. It’s not unusual to see a trip costing 50% less than a comparable trip during the summer. Needless to say, cruising in December is also a big draw for people wanting to get away from the snow and cold of many places in the north.

Cons : Trying to fit a cruise between Thanksgiving and Christmas can be tough for many schedules. And while many people take a cruise during Christmas itself, those trips are more expensive. If you are traveling by air, be ready for the possibility of delays due to weather and holiday travel crowds.

What Are the Least Expensive Months to Sail?

If you want to sail for cheap, then we suggest looking at months like January, February, April, May, September and October . We find that rates during these months tend to be less expensive than for the same cruise if headed to the Caribbean. During these times fewer people are traveling, leading to generally lower cruise fare.

If headed to Alaska, then the months are more limited. The season runs largely from May through September. In this case the ‘shoulder’ months of May and September offer the lowest prices.

So Which Month Is Best to Cruise?

As mentioned above, there is no “bad” time to sail. However, if we had our pick, we would suggest either April or October if you need to fly into a cruise port . The generally good weather and low prices combine to make it a cheap and easy time to sail.

If you are within driving distance of a port, then you can expand these months to include early winter months and later fall months. During these times the weather on a cruise will be warmer than back home, prices are very affordable, and if driving, you can get to the port without worrying about airline delays.

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What to Expect on a Carnival Christmas Cruise

By Carnival Cruise Line

The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time to get together with friends and family, many of whom you may not have seen for a while. Although you get to spend time with loved ones, you know it often comes with added stress: namely, lengthy travel and meal preparations.

What if there was a better way to celebrate the season? A way that didn’t require long drives or hours in a warm kitchen. Thankfully, there is! Have you considered a Christmas cruise ? A family cruise to an exotic destination could be the perfect way to celebrate the season.

Where Will You Be This Holiday Season?

When you cruise with Carnival over Christmas, you’ll spend the holiday doing whatever it is you love best. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up with friends and family, plus you’ll get to vacation in a warm, exotic destination at the same time! Whether your regular Christmas scene features buckets of rain or a howling snowstorm, you’ll get the opportunity to escape it all and enjoy the tropical sunshine instead. From Mexico to the Caribbean and right over to The Bahamas , there are plenty of holiday cruise destinations just waiting for you. Rest assured, this Christmas season is ready to bring you plenty of tropical joy.

Making Your Christmas Plans

Where will you depart from? Carnival has numerous departure cities depending on your preferences or travel requirements. Are you close to Galveston, Texas , or Charleston, South Carolina ? What about Miami, Florida or Baltimore, Maryland ? You’ll have plenty of options to choose from, even if you live elsewhere. Whether you want to travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, The Bahamas or another destination, you’ll discover numerous ways to enjoy a Christmas cruise in the tropics.

Embarkation Day

As you embark on your first day, you’ll immediately notice the Christmas decorations found throughout the ship. From wreaths to jingle bells to the ever popular mistletoe (pucker up!), each ship will leave no doubt that the holiday season is well underway. Stunning Christmas trees are set up in various parts of the ship too.

While at Sea

Carnival team members will go out of their way to keep you and your family well entertained and in the Christmas spirit with festive activities. From the tree lighting ceremony on the first evening to the Christmas carol sing-a-longs and special Holiday show (featuring appearances by Santa and the Grinch!), we have plenty up our sleeves for this most joyful season of the year. Both you and your kids can participate in our arts and crafts events, where you can make your own decorations and other festive trimmings. We bet your kids will love the opportunity to drop off their letter to Santa in the North Pole mailbox. Why not write a note yourself? You never know what type of response you’ll get!

Have you been waiting for the right season to enjoy all of those holiday movies? Good news! Join your fellow cruise guests and settle in for all of those Christmas favorites. Plus, now’s your chance if you’ve always wanted to join in on an Ugly Sweater Contest. Winners will receive a special prize.

Carnival holds a special, non-denominational Christmas service either December 24 or 25, depending on the cruise itinerary. This service will feature hymns, prayers and plenty of stories to bring everyone closer together during the holiday season.

The Christmas festivities, which begin the day after Thanksgiving and run through December 25, culminate in a delicious Christmas dinner. This dinner features traditional favorites like the Christmas turkey (oven-roasted with all trimmings) and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

Regardless of your port of call, you’ll have numerous opportunities to enjoy the Christmas season, tropical-style. Exploring the streets and beaches of each city might reveal unexpected festivals and celebrations sure to delight the senses. You’ll also want to join in on shore excursions that let you get up close and personal with nature, take part in extreme adventures and enjoy unforgettable local cuisine. While everyone back home may be dealing with snowstorms and freezing rain, you’ll be surrounded by warm temperatures and plenty of vacation adventures.

This Christmas season, join your friends and family on a cruise vacation. You’ll get a chance to experience new destinations and traditions at the same time. You might even make a Christmas cruise the next family tradition!

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• Princess Cruises

Are Holiday cruises typically more expensive?

By taraschultz20 , December 31, 2007 in Princess Cruises

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taraschultz20

I was thinking about cruising around New Years in the next year or two. This will be my first cruise. Are cruises around the holidays typically more expensive?

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yes, they generally are.

Kerry&LuAnn

The least expensive times are generally the the two weeks before Christmas and the month of January. You will see price jumps between Christmas and New Years, and again in February through spring.

Hello, I was thinking about cruising around New Years in the next year or two. This will be my first cruise. Are cruises around the holidays typically more expensive?

Don't forget to factor in your airfare. It tends to be a bit more during the holidays. We payed more for our flight to San Juan than we did for our recent cruise (not including alcohol, jewellery, gifts & excrusions etc). But its all worth it!!:D

In a free economy, supply and demand are two of the major factors driving price.

Extremely high demand and a slowly increasing supply during family holidays = higher prices.

Higher demand also creates higher occupancy on ships = crowds and long lines. But it doesn't start on the ships. During the holidays you encounter long lines and delays from the moment you leave your house, get through heavy traffic to the airport, wait to check in, wait to go through security, wait to board, wait for bags, wait to check in at the terminal, and wait for everything on a ship.

If you look at the posted reviews of holiday cruises (American Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas, and Easter) on mass market ships, you willl find that they generally have the highest number of complaints and negative reviews. Not to say that your experience wil be similar, but it appears that the odds of you having a challenge of some sort (after paying top dollar) will be increased on a holiday cruise.

If you're flying to the cruise, this is probably a good time to use cruise air because unless you book it very, very early, the cruise air will frequently be less than what you can find on your own. And, because it's such a huge travel period, one "blip" in the airline schedule pretty much anywhere in the country can cause back-ups, delays and cancelled flights so I would strongly advise getting travel/cruise insurance.

We have taken cruises for the past four Christmases, and one of those included New Year's too. I look for deals, usually after the final payment date. This year I was tracking 10 different cruises. I had a couple of backups in case the price of none of the Christmas cruises dropped enough. Those were 7-night cruises that sailed Dec. 15 or 16.

Fortunately, the prices for the Emerald Princess's Christmas cruise dropped right after the final payment date. I think it was a combination of factors--being a 10-day cruise and being earlier than a lot of the other Christmas cruises (left on Dec. 16).

Right now, looking at the Emerald's cruises next Christmas, we would be paying more than twice what we paid if we booked the same category of cabin. (We had an obstructed view.) Even inside cabins cost almost $1,200 more than what we paid for the two of us.

But if you need to choose a particular date, book early and don't worry about what others may pay for the same cruise. You'll get your pick of cabins and cheaper airfare. You can always watch the prices before the final payment date. Sometimes a better category of cabins will go on sale and be priced less than what you're paying for your category. It's like being paid to upgrade.

newmexicoNita

always!!!!!!!!

actually even the week immediately before Christmas is getting more expensive as schools often are out early and colleges take their breaks mid Dec.

We usually travel the week of Christmas and we find that all travel is more expensive during this week than during other times of the year. That goes for cruises, airfare, and hotel rates. One of the reasons we choose cruising is that we live driving distance to Fort Lauderdale and Miami and it saves us five airfares.

Cruisin' Chick

Absolutely. The two weeks over Christmas and New Year's are traditionally "peak" travel periods and whether you're flying, booking a land vacation or a cruise, you'll pay premium rates: often 2x - 3x the cost of the exact same travel in early December. Whenever you see travel promotions, you'll pretty much always see a "blackout" period from about 12/21 - 1/2 where any promotion is not valid.   If you're flying to the cruise, this is probably a good time to use cruise air because unless you book it very, very early, the cruise air will frequently be less than what you can find on your own. And, because it's such a huge travel period, one "blip" in the airline schedule pretty much anywhere in the country can cause back-ups, delays and cancelled flights so I would strongly advise getting travel/cruise insurance.

A major problem with buying your air through a cruiseline seems to be the flights you get from them, unless you're willing to pay for a deviation. After one cruiseline booked us on a red-eye flight to get in the morning of the cruise, we decided just to make our own arrangements and get in at least a day before.

willysgrandma

We always cruise between Sept. and November and have found those are the least expensive times to cruise. Kids are in school and it's hurricane season.

A major problem with buying your air through a cruiseline seems to be the flights you get from them' date=' unless you're willing to pay for a deviation. After one cruiseline booked us on a red-eye flight to get in the morning of the cruise, we decided just to make our own arrangements and get in at least a day before.[/quote']That's true in some cases but not all. I've had very good luck with flights through Princess. Many times they've been less-expensive and at least as direct as I could book them myself. And that's without paying for the deviation. The most important thing is to do your research and not automatically reject either Princess air or doing it yourself. There can be a case made for either.

I was thinking about taking a New Years cruise next year, but all I have found are almsot double the price. I guess I will have to keep looking. Who knows what the new year will bring, but I will keep looking for bargins. Most of the travel sites like travelocity, priceline don't even have the Ruby listed yet.

If you are not willing to pay the price you might as well forget New Years cruises. Bargains and New Years shouldn't even be used in the same paragraph. It would like trying to get a bargain in Vegas or New York City over New Years.

EviesCruisin

Book early. We did the 12/16 - 12/23 Crown Princess Southern Caribbean from San Juan. The Christmas & NYE cruises were almost double the fare we paid. Our cruise fare ended up dropping about $300 per cabin and we were given that back (since it was prior to final payment). So I believe we only paid about $800/pp for balcony rooms.

Also - we booked airfare EARLY. In Feb. for a Dec. cruise. They were non-stop from Dulles to San Juan. The flights were $296, including taxes! Ended up jumping to $700-800 by the time July rolled around, since 12/23 is a busy travel day - and also an airline blackout date for free flights.

This was a great time to get away - the pre-holiday "crunch" when everyone was last-minute shopping and fighting through malls, I was on a sandy beach and shopping in the ports. The weather was great, too.

I guess I will just have to look for 2009 unless something else comes up. I just thought it would be fun to cruise over New Years becuause I never do anything for New Years as I know everything is more expenisve.

We go away every year during the week of Christmas. Every year the front desk has a sign up that the ship is full and that there is NO CHANCE of having your cabin changed. We never get a "good deal" on pricing, despite the fact that our TA starts looking for our Christmas cruise in Jan/Feb prior to sailing. I assume New Year's week is the same as Christmas.

I suggest that if you have your heart set on a particular ship/cabin for New Year's week that you book it as soon as you can. I doubt you will find any sort of bargain fares for that week.

On the bright side holiday cruises are fun. The staff goes all out to make the ship festive and there is usually a special meal for the holiday night (Christmas dinner was FABULOUS).

Thanksgiving is usually quite reasonable.

We have travelled on Thanskgiving to land resorts. We have found the rates to be quite high and bargains hard to find. We have not cruised over Thanksgiving though.

We have found Thanksgiving rates very high on most ships. The week following Thanksgiving can often be one of the least expensive of the year, but with so many schools and colleges now getting the entire Thanksgiving week off, the ships are normally filled with families and the prices higher than regular sailings but not as high as Christmas and New Years sailings.   Nita

I have sailed several times over Thanksgiving and found them only $50 or more for that week then the week later. Air is higher but I have found great deals over Thanksgiving for the cruise itself.

what about christmas and new year? Is this dependent on itinerary as well?

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Is Royal Caribbean More Expensive than Disney?

Curious about the expenses of a cruise trip? Here is a detailed comparison of the Royal Caribbean with the Disney Cruise Line.

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In terms of family travel, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are the two main players. For the people looking for magic and adventure on the high seas, each provides a unique experience. But with the excitement of exhilarating journeys and enchanted meetings, one question never goes away: Is Royal Caribbean pricier than Disney? Let's try to solve this puzzle and find the real reasons behind these naval lord’s pricing policies.

Is Royal Caribbean More Expensive Than Disney Cruises?

Royal caribbean cruise line:.

Large and well-liked, Royal Caribbean International is a well-known international cruise line. Royal Caribbean has a fleet of modern ships with a range of amenities to satisfy the needs of tourists of all ages and interests. Does the cost of all this luxury, though, have to be high? A Royal Caribbean cruise may seem too expensive at first. With all of the activities, delicious food options, and engaging shows that are available on board, you would think that this kind of luxury would be more costly. But a further look reveals a more complex reality.

Royal Caribbean uses a dynamic pricing approach to calculate prices based on a number of variables, including demand, itinerary, sailing date, and stateroom type. The cruise line employs sophisticated analytics and market research to attempt to find a middle ground between cost and style. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean regularly provides alluring deals and promotions, from onboard credit packages to early booking bonuses. Clever tourists who know how to take advantage of these offers can frequently save a significant amount of money, dispelling the myth that the prices are outrageous.

Disney Cruise Line:

You may travel into a mystical world with Disney Cruise Line , where dreams come true against a fantastic and imaginative backdrop. Disney Cruise Line is renowned for its wonderful characters, fascinating theming, and first-rate service. It ensures an experience that is second to none. However, is there a wonderful price tag attached to this fairy dust? Actually, because Disney Cruise accordance's rates are typically in accordance with the company's premium positioning, a voyage with them may initially seem pricey. Beneath the veneer, though, is a well-considered pricing structure that seeks to provide guests with exceptional value.

Disney Cruise Line offers tier-based pricing, with several cabin types designed to suit different budgets. While some lodging alternatives could be more expensive, others provide more affordable choices without sacrificing charm or quality. Another distinctive characteristic is Disney Cruise Line's all-inclusive policy, which pays for meals, entertainment, and other onboard activities in full upfront. This all-inclusive pricing strategy improves the total value proposition by giving guests peace of mind and relieving them of the stress of unforeseen costs.

Which One Is Pricier?

When travelers contrast Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, they ought to put getting the best offer first. However, the most obvious difference between Disney and Royal Caribbean is their prices. Disney Cruises are far more costly than Royal Caribbean Cruises. For instance, two guests can travel on a three-night Royal Caribbean cruise from Miami to the Bahamas for as little as $770.48. A minimum payment of $1,993 is required for Disney Cruises leaving from Port Canaveral and sailing to the Bahamas for three nights. That is over twice as much as a cruise with Royal Caribbean. 

Also Read:   Is MSC More Expensive than Carnival ?

Our research shows that Disney Cruise Line is typically more expensive than Royal Caribbean , despite the fact that both companies provide wonderful journeys full of magic and adventure. Disney offers customers experiences that are unmatched in wonder and immersion, which is reflected in its premium pricing, even though Royal Caribbean is known for its luxurious and innovative offerings. But it's important to keep in mind that the cost of a cruise is only one component of the whole experience. While selecting between these two titans of the sea, travelers should take into account their tastes, spending limit, and the desired amount of enchantment. In the end, regardless of whether one chooses the exhilarating adventures of Royal Caribbean or the whimsical charm of Disney Cruise Line, the experiences they had at sea are incomparable and have no financial value.

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6 Expensive Costco Items That Are On Sale Most Often

C ostco provides shoppers with a variety of affordable and luxury items, most at substantial cost savings compared to big box retailers. In fact, you might save more when you splurge on big ticket items at Costco compared to everyday purchases like eggs and milk. Plus, if you purchase a $120 Executive membership you’ll earn 2% cash back. You can purchase any of the expensive items on this list to cover the membership fee with cash back, ramping up your savings.

Based on our experiences as Costco super-fans, here are six expensive Costco items that are almost always on sale, along with when you may find the steepest discounts for these items.

Kitchen Appliances

Whether you’re renovating your kitchen or just replacing a broken appliance, you can find deals on kitchen appliances virtually any time of the year at Costco. In advance of Memorial Day, Costco has savings on LG appliances, including the LG Smart Electric Slide-In Range with Convection Oven. It’s already on sale for $500 off, and you can save an additional $300 when you spend $1,999 in LG appliances.

You can also purchase an LG Smart French Door Refrigerator for $500 off as part of the same deal. Look for kitchen appliances to go on sale during President’s Day weekend, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and other holidays.

Outdoor Patio Dining Sets

Sprucing up your backyard for summer? Look for Costco’s patio sets to go on sale for Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July, and also in the fall when they are looking to clear out inventory and make room for holiday merchandise in the warehouse club.

You’ll find high-quality patio dining sets for up to $500 off right now, but don’t be surprised if prices drop further as summer approaches.

Sofas and other Living Room Furniture

Your living room can look as good as your outdoor living space with Costco’s deals on sofas and other furniture. Many Costco wholesale clubs have at least two or three sofas on display near the front entrance, and they are usually substantially discounted.

Right now, Costco Online has a selection of sectional sofas for up to $500 off. If the one you like isn’t on sale, hang tight for fall when even more furniture tends to go on sale. But the odds are high you will always find a few pieces of living room furniture for 20% off or more.

LED-TVs are not cheap, and the bigger size screen you want, the higher the cost. Fortunately, there is never not a 4K UHD LED Smart TV (or three, or seven) on sale at your local Costco, usually right at the entrance to the store. We wonder how many people purchase a big-screen TV on impulse as they make their way to the back of the warehouse club to grab a rotisserie chicken?

As you browse the vast rows of TV displays, most with sale prices listed, the only questions you need to answer are: How big and what brand? Costco stocks top manufacturers including LG, Sony, and Samsung.

Look for deeper savings during the winter holidays, just prior to Super Bowl Sunday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and also during Amazon Prime Day, when other stores seek to take a bite out of the e-commerce giant’s profits during the big July sale.

All-inclusive Vacations, Hotel Stays, and Cruises

The average couples’ vacation costs an average of $3,971 per week in the U.S., according to figures from Pacaso.com . Fortunately for Costco members, the wholesale club always has a variety of local and international vacations and cruises on sale , whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway in Midtown Manhattan or a week-long escape to the beaches of Costa Rica. Many Costco travel packages include room upgrades, complimentary amenities, and rebates in the form of Digital Costco Shop Cards, making travel bookings with Costco an even better value.  

Costco gazebos and screenhouses range from less than $600 to more than $5,000 in price. But you can usually find a few on sale for hundreds to $1,000 off. As with outdoor furniture, you’ll find the best sales at the end of the summer season, but you can usually find a few options on sale at any time of year. Through May, the Paragon Santa Monica Aluminum Gazebo is $300 to $500 off, depending on the model you choose.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 6 Expensive Costco Items That Are On Sale Most Often

Rotary volunteers stranded after Air Vanuatu collapse offered luxury cruise home as P&O comes to the rescue

A group of Australian volunteers stranded on the island of Tanna following the collapse of Air Vanuatu last week have been offered a way to get home, and they'll be travelling in style. 

The contingent of young volunteers from the Albury-based Hive Rotary Club were volunteering in the Pacific when Air Vanuatu collapsed.

The group has now managed to secure a charter flight from Tanna to Port Vila and will then board a P&O cruiseliner to Sydney after the shipping company reached out to them.

Hive president Kellie Kadoui said the group was "rapt" to have found a way home.

"Once we learnt that Air Vanuatu weren't flying, it's almost impossible to get off Tanna unless you charter a very expensive plane," she said.

"We finally got a charter flight out on Wednesday through Vanuatu Tourism, so they paid for that cost.

"And then P&O reached out to us and said, 'We are actually docking in Port Vila on the 17th. Can we take you home?'"

Twenty members of the group are expected to board the Pacific Adventure today and will arrive back in Sydney on May 23.

An expensive trip home

The volunteers heard the airline was in trouble after they flew into Port Vila on Sunday, May 5.

On Thursday, May 9, the airline announced that all of its international flights were cancelled .

The next day, Ernest & Young confirmed that it had been appointed as administrators for the airline, which has been supported by the Vanuatu government for some time.

The young volunteers were scheduled to fly with Air Vanuatu from Tanna to Port Vila on Saturday, May 18, and then take a connecting flight back to Australia.

But, Ms Kadaoui said, once the airline's flights were cancelled, the volunteers only had two options — either to wait for a boat that made two trips a week from Tanna to Port Vila, or pay for an expensive private charter flight that would cost $5,000 for the whole group.

It was a relief when Vanuatu Tourism and P&O came to their rescue.

Twenty-year-old Sarah Long, one of the volunteers on the trip, said the uncertainty had been "a little chaotic for a while" and that it was nice to know that they finally had a way to get home.

"We were sort of up in the air and unsure what was going on but I think we're all very thankful for P&O coming to the table," she said.

However, Ms Kadaoui said the group still faced out-of-pocket expenses totalling about $10,000 because their travel insurance would not cover extra expenses accrued during their unexpected stay in Port Vila, or the rescheduling costs of their domestic flights in Australia once the group arrives back in Sydney. 

Airline in 'significant financial distress'

Ernst & Young have told creditors Air Vanuatu is in "significant financial distress".

A liquidators' report outlined the airline's debts, which total $110 million.

"The company's financial position is dire, and it clearly cannot fund its own operations," the report said.

Ernst & Young thanked Vanuatu's government for its financial support, without which they said there would be "no other choice" but to shut the airline down.

The report also revealed Air Vanuatu's staff doubled as essential ground operations personnel at several of the country's airports.

Only two of the airline's planes remain flight-ready, with a Boeing 747 repossessed, and three other aircraft needing maintenance.

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