The best Christmas cruises to book NOW - from winter sun in the Canaries to an Antarctic adventure

Published: 04:56 EDT, 25 October 2026 | Updated: 04:56 EDT, 25 October 2026 Christmas is just over eight weeks away...and if you're already feeling underwhelmed at the thought of sitting in front of the telly watching repeats of Only Fools And Horses and over-indulging on mince pies, then there's still plenty of time to escape. A cruise can be just the tonic if you want to escape the cooking – and the washing up – and sail into the new year feeling like you've had a proper adventure.So, what's still available if you want to book now for a seasonal sailing? Here’s our pick of Yuletide getaways...SLEIGH WINTER BLUES IN THE CANARIES Funchal fun! A TUI cruise through the Canaries and Madeira sees passengers signing up for some winter sunshine (Photo source: TUI)The only ice on Marella Explorer’s ‘Canarian Christmas’ Cruise will be in your drinks. This week-long itinerary calls at several Atlantic islands, with Christmas Day spent in Madeira surrounded by volcanic cliffs. Onboard you can enjoy a turkey dinner and festive events.Book it: The seven-night round-trip cruise departs from Las Palmas on December 21. From £1,747pp, including food and drink, entertainment and flights from Bournemouth (tui.co.uk).A NEW YEAR PANAMA PARTY The mid-sized Azamara Quest liner will make for Mexico over New Year after departing from San Francisco on December 18thAct fast to bag a discounted cabin on Azamara Quest’s popular ‘Panama Canal Holiday and New Year’s Eve’ cruise. Spend Christmas Eve navigating canal locks and enjoy the party atmosphere at Puerto Vallarta in Mexico on New Year’s Eve, followed by a midnight deck party at sea.Book it: Departing Miami on December 18 for San Francisco. From £2,939pp including up to £566 onboard credit for excursions, dining and spa treatments. Flights cost extra (azamara.com).ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE Trade the aromas of pine and cinnamon for fresh penguin guano on Swan Hellenic’s ‘Antarctic Peninsula Odyssey’. Onboard the boutique expedition ship SH Minerva, you explore the Earth’s last great wilderness.Book it: Ten-night voyage from Ushuaia departs December 17. From £9,700pp in a Cruise Plus ocean-view stateroom including transfers, meals and most drinks; flights extra (swanhellenic.com).CHRISTMAS CLIFFHANGER AT SEA A med Christmas cruise on the brand new MSC World Asia means you'll match top-notch destinations with box-fresh facilities on board (Photo source: MSC)MSC Cruises’ new MSC World Asia will call into Barcelona on December 25. This megaship has a Cliffhanger overwater swing and the longest dry slide at sea.Book it: Seven-night trip departs Civitavecchia (Rome) on December 21. From £1,029pp full-board; flights extra (msccruises.com)EUROPEAN RIVERS YULE LOVECelebrate Christmas in Nuremberg on APT’s half-price ‘Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Year’s Eve’ 16-day river cruise.Book it: Departs Amsterdam on December 18 for Budapest. Twin Category E staterooms from £3,698pp with flights, 44 meals and some drinks (aptouring.com).CAVIAR IN THE CARIBBEANSwap pigs-in-blankets for ‘caviar in the surf’. Seabourn Quest will dock in St Kitts on Christmas Day for a Carambola Beach party with champagne and caviar.Book it: Sailing round-trip from Miami on December 20, this 16-day Leeward Islands all-inclusive voyage is from £8,198pp; flights extra (seabourn.com).