December Cruises
December is a beautiful time of the year, with Christmas and New year as double festive bonanzas. You can sail to amazing places where X-mas festivities are in full swing, with an epic cruise, from CruiseBooking.com. The best December cruise deals find their place on our platform. There are awesome ships and itineraries here for a trip you’ll be talking about all winter. December is filled with festive holiday parties, warm tropical escapes, and some sweet deals despite the holiday rush this season. Whether you’re all in for big names like MSC, Princess, Carnival, or Costa cruises, or dreaming of chilling in the Bahamas, exploring Asia-Pacific, or hitting the Arabian Gulf, there’s a cruise for you here. So, don’t hesitate, get these last-minute December cruises and make memories that’ll keep you in a festive mood throughout the new year and beyond.
Why Cruise in December?
- Holiday Magic: Ships decked out with Christmas trees, New Year’s parties, and festivities make it an amazing experience for families or couples.
- Escape the Cold: Swap snow shovels for sunny beaches in the Bahamas or warm desert in the Arabian Gulf.
- Chill Shoulder Season: Early December’s pre-holiday time means quieter ports before the Christmas rush in late December.
- Tons of Options: From Caribbean beaches to Mediterranean ruins or Asian temples, December has many surprises for everyone.
- Festive Getaways: Perfect for a family holiday trip or a romantic escape to welcome the New Year at sea.
Best Cruise Destinations in December
| Region |
Why Cruising is Great in December |
Cruise Lines |
| Bahamas |
Warm temps (70–75°F) and clear waters are best with private islands like Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Add snorkeling and Holiday vibes for extra fun! |
MSC Cruises, Princess Celebrity Cruises |
| Asia and Asia Pacific |
Pleasant temps (65–75°F) and low humidity are ideal for temples, beaches, and cities in Thailand, Japan, or Singapore. Plus, festive markets add holiday colors. |
Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises |
| Western Mediterranean |
Cool weather (50–60°F) and fewer tourists is ideal for Italy, Spain, and France. Christmas markets, ancient ruins, and cozy cafes can be explored with ease. |
MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises |
| Arabian Gulf |
Perfect days (70–80°F) and cool evenings are great for luxury ports like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with desert safaris and festive holiday events. |
MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Celestyal Cruises |
| Caribbean Western |
Toasty weather (75–80°F) and sunny skies are perfect for island-hopping, with awesome beaches and towns decked out for the holidays. |
MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises |
December Cruise Deals You Can’t Miss!
December is a mix of holiday demand and shoulder-season deals for some steals. Early bookers and last-minute planners can both score big if they play it smart.
- Early December: Pre-holiday sailings are quieter with sweet deals like free upgrades or onboard credits.
- Mid to Late December: Holiday demand spikes for Christmas and New Year’s, but last-minute deals, might pop up post-Christmas (Dec 25, 2025) for unsold cabins (if you are lucky). These are 3–7 night trips.
- Hot Offers to Grab:
Pro Tip: At CruiseBooking.com, grab exclusive December deals and check real-time availability. Our crew can catch the perfect trip for you in no time.
Popular Cruise Ships in December
Here’s some brief information on some great ships we have selected for sailing in December. Each of them is loaded with fantastic itineraries and onboard fun:
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean Western routes from Miami. This ship’s sleek design should not confuse you. It has a huge waterfront boardwalk, infinity pools, and family-friendly stops like Ocean Cay, plus festive holiday parties.
Photo Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises
Sailing Asia-Pacific and Caribbean Western trips from ports like Singapore and Fort Lauderdale. Filled with upscale dining, cozy lounges, and cool vibes for couples or groups, with holiday-themed events.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Running 7–9 night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome. It has a swanky design, awesome shows, and a luxury MSC Yacht Club. Perfect for a festive European escape.
Photo Courtesy: Costa Cruises
Cruising Western Mediterranean from Italy and Spain, with Italian style dining (pizza and gelato galore), cultural shore trips, and onboard Christmas markets for holiday season.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Hitting the Bahamas and Caribbean Western with 4–5 night trips from New Orleans. Perfect for budget-friendly family fun with water slides, comedy shows, and epic holiday deck parties.
Tips for Booking an December Cruise
Planning a December cruise is all about timing and prep to max out fun and savings. Here’s how to nail it:
Book Early for Holiday Sailings
Christmas and New Year’s cruises fill up fast, so get those balcony cabins or suites (like on MSC Seashore) early to lock in deals and family-friendly spots.
Hunt for Early December Steals
There are some pre-holiday sailings in early December. They offer lower fares, onboard credits or free upgrades. Check CruiseBooking.com for the freshest deals before they disappear quickly.
Pack for Mixed Weather
Bahamas and Caribbean are warm and sunny, but Western Mediterranean can be chilly or rainy. Pack in layers, a rain jacket, and swimwear for tropical stops, plus festive attire for holiday events.
Get Travel Insurance
While December is not in hurricane season for the Caribbean and Bahamas, there may be occasional mishaps of another nature. So, grab insurance that covers weather delays or itinerary changes.
Stay Flexible for Savings
Mid to late December, especially post-Christmas, is prime for last-minute deals on unsold cabins. Short 3–5 night cruises from Miami, New Orleans, or Barcelona are budget-friendly.
Plan Shore Excursions
Book tours early for stuff like snorkeling in Cozumel, exploring Rome’s Christmas markets, or desert adventures in Dubai. CruiseBooking.com often has deals on excursions to save you cash.
Holiday Timing
Christmas (Dec 25, 2025) and New Year’s cruises peak holiday season. So, book early for these or aim for early December to avoid crowds and score better prices.
Bonus Tip: If you want a festive celebration in style, December cruises on ships like Costa Smeralda have holiday perks like Christmas dinners or New Year’s fireworks—perfect for a family or couple’s holiday escape.
FAQs for December Cruises
December has early-month steals with up to 50% off* MSC or Carnival cruises, kids-sail-free promos, and onboard credits up to $500.* CruiseBooking.com has the best offers ready to go.
Bahamas, Asia-Pacific, Western Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, and Caribbean Western are top picks. You’ll get great weather, festive vibes, and a mix of beaches, culture, and holiday fun.
Hell yeah! December is awesome for holiday escapes, warm tropical vibes, and early-month savings, making it great for families, couples, or
solo travelers.
Early December is cheaper with shoulder-season deals, but Christmas and New Year’s sailings cost more. Mid to late December has last-minute deals post-Christmas from ports like Miami or New Orleans.
Pack summer clothes and swimsuits for Bahamas or Caribbean trips, plus a light jacket and shoes for
Western Mediterranean or Arabian Gulf ports. Also have festive gear for holiday dinners.
It’s warm (70–75°F), sunny, and perfect for beaches or snorkeling at spots like Ocean Cay on ships like MSC Seashore, with festive holiday events in port.
You bet! Mid to late December, especially post-Christmas, is loaded with last-minute deals on Bahamas or Caribbean trips from Miami or New Orleans. Check CruiseBooking.com for what’s open.
Carnival Valor’s 4–5 night Bahamas trips from New Orleans are a blast, hitting Nassau and Freeport with fun holiday vibes onboard.
Yup, MSC has specials like kids-sail-free, onboard credits, and balcony upgrades on ships like MSC Seashore and MSC Fantasia.
For sure! Carnival Valor and MSC Seashore have kids’ clubs, waterparks, and family suites, plus holiday activities. Look for kids-sail-free deals on CruiseBooking.com.
Warm and sunny (75–80°F) with rare showers as hurricane season winds down. Ships like Carnival Valor have indoor spots like theaters and arcades just in case.
Yeah, Celebrity Millennium in Asia-Pacific or Caribbean Western offers upscale dining and chill vibes, while MSC Fantasia brings luxe flair to the Western Mediterranean with MSC Yacht Club suites.
