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Dreaming of fairytale markets or sun-kissed Caribbean coves? Setting sail on a festive cruise can make for an unforgettable Christmas and New Year.
Voyages range from European city-hopping adventures to dreamy Caribbean cruises and intrepid Northern Lights expeditions. Whether you’d like to explore, relax, or immerse yourself in festive cheer, there’s something for everyone.
It’s never too late to start planning a winter escape, so to inspire you, we’ve partnered with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to bring you 10 Christmas and New Year’s cruise destinations for 2025/26.
Awarded Cruise Critic’s ‘Best itineraries’ for five consecutive years, the Fred. Olsen team carefully craft each journey to ensure travellers sail the most imaginative routes and visit the world’s most amazing destinations – including some of the best festive markets. Fred. Olsen’s elegantly designed ships are also smaller to offer travellers an intimate and more personalised experience.
When you’re not exploring, you can relax on board in comfort with everything taken care of. Plus, throughout December, ships are adorned with Christmas decorations to help you get into the holiday spirit.
Fancy a festive cruise?
1. Bruges
With stalls selling mulled wine, chocolate shops decorated with pine garlands, and church bells tolling in cobblestone squares, Bruges offers a classic Christmas experience. Come December, the city erupts in festive fervour; Christmas markets with chalet-style stalls unfurl in the streets, the sound of skates on ice cuts through the wintry air, and the city’s Gothic architecture is set aglow with honey-hued lights.
Aside from seasonal celebrations, there are plenty of other reasons to drop anchor in Bruges. Tour the city via the canals or snuggle under a blanket in a horse-drawn carriage. Climb to the top of the Belfry for unparalleled views of the twinkling city, or admire works of Flemish masters at the Groeningemuseum. And be sure to leave time to indulge in regional delights like waffles and Belgian beer.
2. St Lucia
Spending a festive season in the Caribbean is about more than escaping dreary British weather. It’s an opportunity to experience unique traditions. In St Lucia, swap mulled wine for sweet, gingery sorrel (a hibiscus drink), and trade turkey and potatoes for lamb and yams. And, as you explore the island, listen out for loud pops as locals ignite firecrackers made from bamboo canes.
Festivities aside, December and January are among the best times to visit St Lucia. Temperatures are balmy but not extreme, so you can choose between relaxing on powdery beaches or setting off on an adventure. Something for every vacationer awaits here, whether you fancy investigating colonial fortresses, spotting flora and fauna, or admiring St Lucia’s iconic twin peaks, the Pitons.
3. Tallinn
With its magical medieval architecture, rich cultural scene, and passion for innovation, Tallinn is emerging as a popular European cruise destination. December is one of the best times to visit, when the award-winning festive market appears in Town Hall Square, where a tree has been erected every year since 1441.
There are countless cultural activities on offer in Tallinn – from soaking in historic saunas to learning about rural life at the Estonian Open Air Museum. Follow your stomach around the city in search of sauerkraut, blood sausage, and mulled wine, or shop for unique handicrafts. Plus, as one of the snowiest cities in Europe, cruisers have a great chance of experiencing a white December in Tallinn.
4. Lisbon
Few cities celebrate New Year’s Eve like Lisbon. Each year, locals and visitors flood the streets to sip espumante (sparkling wine), marvel at street performers, and celebrate the coming year. Unforgettable daytime activities include riding a vintage tram or visiting a fado hall to listen to Portugal’s signature soulful music and snack on petiscos, the local answer to tapas.
In the evening, voyagers can return to their ship for unrivalled views of Lisbon’s main New Year’s event: the dazzling fireworks display over the riverfront neighbourhood of Praça do Comércio. For a true taste of local tradition, try eating 12 raisins – one at each stroke of midnight. Each symbolises a month of the new year and is said to bring good fortune.
5. Tromsø
What better way to celebrate the festive season than setting sail in search of the Northern Lights? Located above the Arctic Circle and under the aurora oval, Northern Norway’s Tromsø is one of the world’s best places to see this awe-inspiring phenomenon. And, due to the long nights, visiting in winter will boost your chances even more.
Aside from spotting the Northern Lights, Tromsø offers many other unique experiences. Venture beyond the town’s limits to go dog sledding through the icy wilderness, or visit the Indigenous Sami people to learn about traditions like reindeer husbandry and joiking (a form of singing). Make sure to organise your trip to witness the fabulous New Year’s Eve fireworks display, best viewed from the deck of your ship.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines In Search of the Northern Lights*
Seven Sisters mountain range - Harstad - Bergen - Narvik - Ålesund - Sortland - Tromsø - Torghatten - Crossing the Arctic Circle
Norway | 15 nights
Departs from Southampton on the ship Borealis.
Departs: 08 Nov 2026
Includes taxes and fees
6. The Canary Islands
If you’re seeking winter warmth this December, you don’t need to sail across the world. The Canary Islands offer moderate temperatures of 18-22°C, perfect for those seeking an active, sun-soaked holiday. On islands like Tenerife and La Gomera, sprawling national parks with twisting laurel forests, dizzying volcanic peaks, and exceptional birdwatching await.
Winter also marks prime whale-watching season in the Canaries, when migratory species like sperm and humpback whales can be spotted alongside year-round residents, such as dolphins and pilot whales. In towns, discover this vibrant archipelago’s unique festive traditions, which include creative nativity scenes and festive delicacies, such as truchas (pastries stuffed with sweet potato).
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Canary Islands Christmas & Cádiz New Year*
Santa Cruz de La Palma - Las Palmas - Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura - Vigo - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Cádiz
Spain & Canary Islands | 15 nights
Departs from Liverpool on the ship Bolette.
Departs: 21 Dec 2026
Includes taxes and fees
7. Copenhagen
The Danish capital is home to an exciting blend of conventional Christmas charm and distinct festive flair. Kayaks covered in fairy lights paddle along the canal, antique amusement rides whir at Tivoli Gardens, and colourful, snow-dusted houses ooze a warm, welcoming glow from every window.
Copenhagen is also the ultimate festive cruise destination for foodies. Treats range from caramelised almonds in candy-striped bags and fragrant glögg (like mulled wine, but maybe even better) to delicious duck and red cabbage. When you aren’t shopping for unique Scandinavian Christmas gifts or gliding along one of the city’s outdoor ice rinks, why not escape the cold to a steamy sauna with harbour views?
8. Barbados
There are countless reasons why many consider Barbados a quintessential Caribbean island. On the coast, you’ll find gleaming beaches with silky sands lapped by gentle, gin-clear surf. And beneath the waves, snorkellers can discover eerie shipwrecks, some of the region’s healthiest coral, and hundreds of fish species in every shade of the rainbow.
In towns and cities, candy-coloured colonial buildings rub shoulders with former military outposts and fascinating museums. Visitors can also sample the delectable Bajan food scene at lively markets, restaurants, and food trucks. And there’s plenty of impressive natural scenery to discover, from the otherworldly Harrison’s Cave to Welchman Hall Gully, a rainforested ravine with wild monkeys.
9. Hamburg
Strasbourg is often called ‘the Capital of Christmas’, but we think Hamburg is a worthy rival. This Hanseatic city on the banks of the River Elbe hosts over 20 Christmas Markets each year. These range from the traditional, historic market in front of the town hall to an LGBTQ+ ‘Winter Pride’ Christmas market and the only over-18 Christmas market in the world.
In Hamburg, visitors can also sample the finer delights of the holiday season. For example, you could attend a festive performance at the Elbphilharmonie, a dazzling concert hall perched atop a harbourside warehouse, or treat yourself at one of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Hamburg Christmas Markets & Honfleur*
Hamburg - Honfleur
France & Germany | 5 nights
Departs from Southampton on the ship Borealis.
Departs: 17 Dec 2027
Includes taxes and fees
10. Funchal
From early December through to the New Year, the Madeiran capital, Funchal, bursts into a carnival of music, food, and festive cheer. Avenues are festooned with glittering lights, and stalls flog local delicacies like bolo do caco (Maderian flatbread) and vinha d’alhos (a sumptuous marinated meat dish). There’s also an array of seasonal events, including a mesmerising New Year’s Eve fireworks show.
Plus, with mild, spring-like weather, December is a great time to explore Funchal in comfort. History lovers might like to make a beeline for the historic downtown area, with its winding cobblestone streets and 15th-century buildings. But the most famous sights are arguably the spectacular subtropical gardens that offer kaleidoscopic colour displays year-round.
Final thoughts…
From storybook Christmas markets and unique seasonal cuisine to unforgettable outdoor activities and captivating cultural experiences, there are plenty of reasons to set off on a festive cruise this December.
European ports like Bruges and Hamburg offer a classic, cosy Christmas ambience, with glittering fairy lights and the ever-present potential of a white Christmas. Yet, Caribbean islands like Barbados and St Lucia are ideal for sun seekers interested in a completely fresh festive experience.
In Lisbon and Funchal, travellers will find electrifying New Year’s celebrations, while Tromsø offers awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Not all cruise companies can reach each of these inspiring places, but Fred. Olsen’s smaller, elegantly designed ships can. Their size also means that the crew can get to know each of their guests personally, leading to a warmer, more attentive and personalised experience.
To find your perfect Christmas and New Year’s cruise, head over to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines website using the button below.
Are you considering a festive cruise? If so, where would you like to go? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.