Best For Families: Christmas In The Caribbean And Mexico
If your goal for Christmas is skipping both the cold and the kitchen, a relaxing cruise in the Caribbean might be to your liking. The warm weather can be a welcoming change from winter at home . Many cruise lines move ships into the Caribbean prior to the holiday season, so there is an abundance of choices, ranging from small to mega-ships, with cruises in almost every price range.
Lines like Disney lean into the holidays heavily, with the Very Merrytime Cruises that run from the beginning of November through Christmas itself. But almost all cruise lines have holiday decor throughout the ship, plus traditional meals and treats served onboard. You will also find the holiday spirit in abundance in the ports of call. There’s nothing cheerier than “Jingle Bells” played by a steel drum band or with a Latin flair.
Book Your Christmas Cruise With Us
To find out more about our Christmas cruises or book your voyage for 2022, please call us on 0800 008 6677. Alternatively, please make an online enquiry for one of the sailings featured below. You might also be interested in our Christmas Market cruises.
Please note: Many festive sailings usually have limited availability and sell out quickly we would advise booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Best For Peace And Quiet: Luxury Sailings Or Adult
Unless you sail with an adult-only cruise line, there will be lots of children onboard for the week of Christmas. Luxury cruise lines will still have some children during the main Christmas week, but usually the times surrounding the holiday are quiet, as the older clientele who typically sail on luxury sailings go home to grandchildren. Thanksgiving in particular is fantastic for a low-key, do-it-your-way luxury cruise.
Adults-only lines such as Viking are also a good bet for a low-key holiday, spent sipping eggnog and other holiday treats, among adults.
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Munich Christmas Market Marienplatz
Many people associate the Bavarian capital with Oktoberfest, but Munich also holds fantastic Christmas market in center of the city on Marienplatz. The Munich market surrounds enormous Christmas tree with 2,500 lights. Visitors can find traditional Bavarian gifts – wood carvings or gingerbread called lebkuchen, while sipping on beer or gluhwein .
Throughout the city there are smaller markets – one unique is Manger Market, selling the components for those who try to build authentic manger.
Berlin Christmas Market Kaiser Wilhelm
Berlin is the state’s capital city and the capital of Traditional Christmas Market. That is what Berlin could be described as, if judged on quantity, as every year it has more than fifty Christmas markets across the city.
The most popular is Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche , who come for the jewellery, artwork and decorations on sale as well as to indulge the cliched seasonal treats – mulled wine and chestnuts. When is open: 24 Nov-1 Jan.
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Christmas Cruises 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 New Year’s Eve
At CruiseMapper’s “Christmas New Year Cruise” hub you can compares all major cruise companies’ December Holiday offers as itineraries and prices. Our Xmas cruise finder allows searching by departure ports, countries and company, also allowing you to choose vessel type and a preferable call port along the itinerary.
Inspired By The Destination
For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no “ordinary” river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe’s rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to “do the right thing” by our guests… and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.
Don’t Miss: European River Cruises For Families
What Is A Christmas Cruise
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. So, why not leave the household chores behind and celebrate Christmas in style aboard a luxury cruise ship? Imagine waking up on Christmas morning in the splendid surroundings of a sumptuous stateroom in the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean or Dubai where the sun beams down and the crystal clear water reflects the clear blue sky. Without the worry of preparing a traditional Christmas dinner you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast, a relaxing soak in the tub, a conversation with newfound friends or simply sit back, relax and revel in the festivities of the holiday season.
Enjoy watching the attentive staff make the magic happen as you sit around the traditionally decorated Christmas tree, swapping gifts with your loved ones. Make Christmas decorations, learn Christmas carols and decorate gingerbread houses together with fellow guests and crew.
Best of all, theres no tidying and washing up following the festivities – you can simply retire to your suite, join friends for a relaxing drink in one of the ships stylish bars or relish in the on board entertainment.
Celebrate The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year On A Christmas Cruise
Spend an unforgettable vacation on one of our Christmas cruises, where youll enjoy the spirit of the season while sailing to some of the most spectacular destinations around the world.
Feast on traditional meals designed by a Michelin-starred chefwithout worrying about any of the prep or cleanup. Marvel at our festive decorations, like Christmas trees covered in trimmings and tinsel that will make you feel right at home. Sing along with carolers, watch holiday-themed shows at The Theatre, and welcome Santa on board as he pays a special visit to all of the lucky kids spending Christmas at sea.
Christmas Fun for Everyone
On one of our luxury Christmas cruises, you can rest easy knowing that every member of the family will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. Adults can schedule an indulgent afternoon at The Spa, while the kids are entertained at Camp at Sea. Teens can mingle with other teens at the Teens Club, while grandparents will love the nightly family dinners that take place in the main dining room. On Christmas Eve, watch a festive holiday show together in the theater, enjoy live holiday music, or head up to the rooftop for a Christmas-themed family movie night under the stars.
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Why All Inclusive Cruises
Cruising can take you from place to place in no time at all, usually overnight, so you will have plenty of time to explore a variety of exciting locations. With your accommodation, food and entertainment all in one place what could be better? All inclusive cruises take the worry out of any additional costs to your holiday, allowing you to take advantage of a range of onboard activities included in your all inclusive package. Take an all-inclusive cruise to avoid any nasty end of holiday bills!
Psst: All inclusive cruises are great all year round – take the stress out of Christmas and New Year dinner by enjoying celebrations on board! See what Easter cruises, Christmas cruises and New Year’s Eve cruises we have on offer.
Find The Best Cruise Vacation For You
How can I find a cheap cruise?
Cheap cruise deals are fairly easy to find in most cases, and you can begin by considering what kind of features and itinerary you want. The more simplistic the experience is, the cheaper it is in general. On Expedia.com, you can filter for specific features and sort your results by price. By mixing and matching certain features, unforgettable experiences may be available with discount cruises. For example, booking a cruise with stunning restaurants and live performances while opting for an inside cabin without an ocean view window or balcony could be ideal for a traveler who doesn’t plan on spending much time in their cabin anyways.
What is the cheapest month to take a cruise?
The cheapest month to take a cruise varies based on your destination and the cruise line company that runs the ship. A Caribbean cruise, for example, is generally cheapest in the late summer and early fall since it’s the local hurricane season.
Can I cancel my cruise booking?
Yes, you can cancel, but there may be fees for canceling depending on how far in advance you cancel and what kind of booking you have. You can check the specific cruise lines cancellation policies in your itinerary on Expedia.com.
Are river cruises worth the money?
What cruises are best for families?
How much does a cruise ship cost?
What are some of the best cruise lines?
How far in advance do you need to book a cruise?
Are cruise trips affordable?
What is it like to go on a cruise?
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Why Take A Cruise Holiday
If you have a place on your bucket list, chances are, a cruise will get you there. Cruises cover the world, taking millions of passengers each year to destinations like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean and even Antarctica. Cruising offers a tremendous value, with trips that include your lodging, meals and entertainment, all rolled into one. Some cruise lines even offer fully inclusive holidays, which cover drinks and tours ashore. Cruising means seeing the world while unpacking only once.
Cruises also provide a wonderful option for families, with many ships offering things like waterslides, mini-golf courses and fun clubs for kids and teens — all for free. Planning is easy: Pick your destination and the right ship for you. The cruise line makes it simple, offering packages to help you save on extras like alcohol, shore tours or even airfare.
Travellers say they choose to cruise because cruising often costs less per night when compared with staying at a hotel, where they’ll have to book — and pay for — all their extras.
Where Can You Sail On A Christmas Cruise
If youre tempted by a Christmas cruise but not quite ready to give up the traditions of a European Christmas, why not set sail for some of the worlds most festive cities? Browse the grand Christmas markets in Germany, see the sparkling lights in Stockholm and indulge in festive food in Amsterdam. There are plenty of designed to bring you yuletide joy.
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Holiday Cruises Are Amazing No Need To Cook Or Clean Free Childcare And Relaxing Travel To Warm And Exotic Locations
The links below show all holiday cruise deals for military and veterans for 2020 and 2021. Our military discount is available to your families and friends, so feel free to bring them along! Links to discounted cruises are organized by port and destination to help you search.
Once you click on a link, cruises will be displayed from least to most expensive. Clicking on the orange select button will pull up a particular cruise so you can input the number of passengers and get accurate pricing.
Then you can book online or to contact us for assistance finding the best cruise option and pricing available to you!
Where Can You Sail On A Christmas And New Year Cruise
Escape the winter blues and visit fantastic destinations including the Caribbean, Australia or the Middle East. Or if you prefer to stay closer to home, choose from destinations across Europe including the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Baltics. As you cruise you can witness each culture’s Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations, from Christmas markets to a BBQ dinner on the beach for the big day.
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European Christmas Market River Cruises
“Christmas Market” themed cruises are Europe’s best Holiday travel deals. They offer ship travel on the largest European rivers and major inland waterways , as well as France’s rivers and navigational canals .
All larger-sized European riverboats dock in big cities and visit some of the most popular ports in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Czechia. Deals are generally all-inclusive – pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, ship transfers, coach travel , gratuities, staterooms with luxury amenities, gourmet meals , 24-hour specialty tea-coffee bar with snacks, complimentary city tours , themed onboard enrichment and live entertainment , complimentary use of walking sticks and bicycles. Some deals are also inclusive of international flights.
Another reason to choose Christmas Market travel is the opportunity to see some of Europe’s largest cities in their glorious snow-cover. Unlike the full-body contact USA Christmas shopping frenzy, Europeans prefer shopping at open-air markets, opposed to the shopping malls. Christmas Market cruising in Europe perfectly combines luxury travel with the traditional Xmas shopping. Dining options ashore feature the seasonal specialties apple cider, mulled wine , sweet gingerbread, all kinds of handmade sweets, chocolate and cookies, the perfectly cold beer and the steaming hot sausages.
Next are listed itineraries that visit some of the best European Christmas Market cities.
Rhine River
Danube River
Main River
Best Christmas Cruises 2022
The best Christmas cruises for 2022 depends on where youre looking to go and the type of experience you would like to have. Below, we have handpicked itinerary schedules with three of the worlds finest cruise lines to help inspire you to pick your perfect festive cruise:
Here are 3 of what we believe are the best Christmas cruises for 2022:
- Silversea offers a series of Caribbean itineraries during Christmas 2022 aboard Silver Shadow, Silver Wind and Silver Spirit. Choose from voyages between 9-36 nights and take advantage of fares, including return flights, hotel stays and one shore excursion in every port of call.
- Cunards three Queens plus a fourth as-yet-unnamed new vessel offers a collection of itineraries for Xmas 2022, including iconic Transatlantic crossings aboard the regal Queen Mary 2. In addition, choose from voyages to the Canary Islands and the Caribbean and enjoy onboard spending money on selected sailings.
- For a truly unforgettable adventure, why not head south on a Christmas expedition to Antarctica? Hurtigruten offers a programme of voyages to the White Continent aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fram that are ideal if youre looking for an alternative to the traditional ocean or river cruises.
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Nuremberg Christmas Market Christkindlesmarkt
Dating from 1600s, Nuremberg Christmas market occupies Main Square under towering Frauenkirche . Christkind opens Christmas market the Friday before Advent every year with impressive ceremony. This market has long tradition and you’ll find all original things here – gluhwein, bavarian bratwurst and hand-made gifts. The stalls, with candy-striped awnings, sell all traditional handcrafts, including carved wooden toys and “smoker” man . The horse-drawn stagecoach will take you on a ride over the medieval old city’s cobblestone streets. On weekends, Nuremberg Christmas market is a mass of people who huddle together to stay warm. But during the week, explore the Christkindlesmarkt in tranquility, eat the local Nuremberger sausages and drink gluhwein .
- Best for: Atmosphere. Nurembergers know how to put on a Christmas market – they’ve been doing it for nearly 400 years!
- Eat this: Nuremberg bratwurst. Try it with mustard and kraut and wash down with a boot-shaped mug of Gluhwein.
- Buy this: Prune men. These dried plum figures were first created as children’s toys during the Thirty Years’War. Found in a multitude of sizes and characters, they’re now one of the most popular gifts to bring home from the Nuremberg Christmas market.
- Skip this: Gingerbread from the market stalls. Instead, head to one of the local bakeries where you’ll find a delicious selection of fresh lebkuchen .
- When is open: 29th Nov-24th Dec
Adventures By Disney River Cruise
Got a sweet tooth? Cruise the Danube River with Adventures By Disney and AmaWaterways this December, and learn how to make iconic European holiday treats. Excursions include marzipan-making in Germany and strudel-making in Hungary. On board, activities include gingerbread cookie decorating and mulled wine tasting for adults.
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Amsterdam & Copenhagen With P& o Cruises
If youre looking for a cruise holiday to perfectly complement the festive season, a P& O cruise to Amsterdam might just be the perfect choice. Home to one of Europes best loved and biggest Christmas markets, Amsterdam and Copenhagen are awash with festive spirit at this time of the year.
Departing on 19 December 2022, youll explore explore the markets of Amsterdam as well as the Belgian city of Zeebrugge, beautiful Copenhagen and charming Oslo during a ten-night, no-fly roundtrip from Southampton, enjoying celebrations on board like gala dinners and festive music.
Southampton to Southampton, 19 December 2022-29 December 2022. For more information visit P& O Cruises.
Top 7 Christmas Cruises For 2022 & 2023
Turkey, mince pies and carols isnt everyones idea of a perfect Christmas so if you want to get away from it all, these seven Christmas cruises are a great choice, whether you want to explore Europes enchanting Christmas markets or relax on white-sand beaches in Caribbean.
Dont worry about missing out on the festivities, either, with most cruise lines offering a whole host of festive activities on board during their Christmastime cruises. Read on for seven of the best Christmas cruises departing in 2022 and 2023.
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Treasure The Magic Of Europe’s Christmas Markets Along The Rhine Or Danube
In every stop on your Christmas Markets cruise along the Rhine or Danube, you’ll enjoy all the magic of your destination’s holiday markets, each of which has taken on a distinctive character of its own over the centuries. You’ll discover those local traditions like the hot mulled wine known as glühwein, served in collectible mugs unique to each market that have caught on to become an indispensable part of the holiday celebration. And on our Rhine Christmas Markets cruise, you’ll experience some special holiday magic on an exclusive visit to the Thurn und Taxis family’s Palace of St. Emmeram in Regensburg. Tour this lavish Baroque family home converted from a monastery in the 18th century and browse its private Christmas Market.
