Christmas And New Year Cruises 2026/2027
Our Guide To Christmas Cruises In 2026/2027
A Christmas cruise means someone else cooks the turkey, does the washing up and plans the entertainment. You can spend Christmas Day on board, see in the New Year with fireworks at midnight, or do both on one voyage. Many sail from Southampton or London Tilbury, so you don't need to fly.
Fred Olsen sails from Southampton to the Canary Islands and the Caribbean. Ambassador sails from London Tilbury to Spain and Portugal, and flies you to Barbados for a Caribbean Christmas. Marella flies you to Tenerife or the Caribbean to join an all inclusive ship in the sun. Festive sailings are popular and the best cabins go early, so if this Christmas is fully booked, next year's sailings are usually already on sale.
Our Verdict
Want a festive treat but home for Christmas Day? See our Christmas market cruises guide.
Want sun, no flying and the best fireworks? A Canaries Christmas from Southampton with New Year in Funchal, Madeira.
Live near London?Ambassador's Christmas and New Year voyages from Tilbury.
Want a short flight and drinks included?Marella's Canarian Christmas from Tenerife.
Cruise Lines With Christmas Sailings
Christmas Cruise Guide
Which Christmas Cruise Is Right For You?
These are the festive sailings Fred Olsen, Ambassador and Marella run most years. Exact routes and dates change from year to year, so check the latest itinerary before you book.
| CRUISE | CRUISE LINE | SAILS FROM | LENGTH | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canaries Christmas and Funchal fireworks | Fred Olsen | Southampton, just before Christmas | About 2 weeks | Winter sun and New Year fireworks with no flights |
| Caribbean Christmas island hopping | Fred Olsen | Southampton, December | About a month | A long winter escape without flying |
| Christmas and New Year in Spain, Portugal or the Canaries | Ambassador | London Tilbury, just before Christmas | About 2 weeks | No fly festive sun from London |
| Caribbean Christmas or New Year | Ambassador | Barbados (flights from Heathrow or Manchester) | 2 weeks | A Caribbean Christmas with flights included |
| Canarian Christmas and New Year | Marella | Tenerife (flights from the UK) | Up to 2 weeks | Sun, a short flight and all inclusive drinks |
| Caribbean Christmas | Marella | The Caribbean (flights from the UK) | 1 to 2 weeks | Hot sunshine and island hopping |
Christmas Cruise FAQs
Yes. Fred Olsen sails from Southampton to the Canary Islands, with New Year in Funchal, and on long Caribbean voyages. Ambassador sails from London Tilbury to Spain, Portugal and the Canaries. You don't need to fly.
Funchal in Madeira is the classic choice. Its fireworks were named the largest in the world by Guinness World Records in 2006, and ships from several cruise lines anchor in the bay to watch.
Expect decorations, a visit from Santa, a Christmas service, a traditional turkey lunch and a festive show in the evening. Details vary by ship.
As early as you can. Festive sailings go on sale around 18 months ahead and the best cabins sell first. Late deals do come up, but choice is limited.
On Marella, yes: fares are all inclusive with tips included. Fred Olsen includes house drinks with lunch and dinner, with a drinks package available for the rest of the day. On Ambassador, drinks and gratuities are extra unless you book its Ambassador Fare or a drinks package.
Book Your Christmas Cruise
Fred Olsen sails smaller ships from Southampton and other UK ports, with Canaries and Caribbean voyages over the festive season.
Ambassador sails from London Tilbury and other UK ports, with smaller ships and Christmas and New Year voyages to Spain, Portugal and the Canaries.
Marella flies you to the sun for an all inclusive Christmas and New Year in the Canary Islands or the Caribbean.
