The festive atmosphere is a wholly personal thing: some people dream of a white Christmas, with snow all around, Christmas markets, and hot chocolate, while others merely want to seize days off to refresh their tan… whatever your taste, there’s a Christmas or New Year cruise perfectly suited for you. Here are the routes to add to your wishlist right away.
River cruises: Christmas among towns and markets
A river cruise? Certainly a wonderful way to fully experience the magic of Christmas. There are countless itineraries, and we’ve selected the best to feel the vibe of a river cruise during the holiday season.
Sul fiume Elba
It begins with Viking River Cruises on the first day of December, and for 10 days you sail the Elbe, starting in Berlin, moving along an itinerary toward Wittenberg where you can visit the markets, then on to Meissen, the porcelain capital. Unmissable Dresden with its Baroque architecture and, of course, the final stop… Prague.
Crociera sul Meno
An unmissable opportunity? The river cruise offered by Uniworld connecting Nuremberg to Frankfurt and revealing the finest Christmas markets of Germany.
Lungo il Danubio
With AmaWaterways you pass from the German markets of Nuremberg, Regensburg and Passau to Vienna and Budapest. Scenic provides an alternative that also includes Bratislava, Dürnstein and Melk. The best part is the changing scenery: one day cobbled alleys, the next the palaces of imperial capitals.
Sul Reno
Another unmissable river cruise? Viking River Cruises on the Rhine, which during the Christmas season visits Amsterdam, Cologne and Strasbourg, letting you feel the magic as the historic centers glow with lights.
Also on the Rhine, there’s the option from Avalon Waterways that departs from Amsterdam and takes you through several stops including Cologne, Strasbourg, to reach the Black Forest and end in Basel.
Sea cruises for Christmas holidays 2026-2027
No, Christmas and New Year do not have to be spent in the cold—there are plenty of sea cruises that carry you to sunny destinations where you can refresh your tan and toast the new year under the sun.
New Year in Copacabana
On December 31, 2026, Rio de Janeiro comes alive for the Réveillon. Costa Serena, cruising between Brazil and Argentina, stops in the Copacabana Bay to watch the fireworks from the water. At midnight, Costa Crociere’s program doesn’t end: aboard you’ll dance at the White Party, strictly in white.
Christmas under the Atlantic Sun
From December 21 to 28, 2026, Costa Crociere sets sail from Tenerife toward Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Madeira. Between volcanic landscapes, beaches and a festively adorned Funchal, Costa Smeralda offers an alternative to the usual wintry Christmas. A heavy sweater? Probably not needed.
Christmas in the Caribbean
Seven nights from December 21, with embarkation in La Romana. MSC Opera explores Samaná, Virgin Gorda, Basseterre, Philipsburg and Catalina Sugar Beach. Here the holiday program blends with turquoise bays, palm trees and pristine sand.
Città mediterranee in festa
Departing from Civitavecchia with MSC on December 24 or December 31, 2026 for seven nights. Valencia, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Livorno compose a perfect route to alternate strolls through historic centers, surprising architecture, and gastronomic stops.
Capodanno alle Antille
Departs December 26 from Fort-de-France, then Pointe-à-Pitre, Bridgetown, Kingstown, Saint George and Castries. In seven nights MSC World Europa crosses islands with diverse character, among colorful markets and screensaver-worthy beaches. A pretty good way to start 2027.
Capodanno a Nizza
Another option? Corsica Sardinia Ferries takes us to Nice, departing from Savona. We set off on the evening of December 30 and on the 31st we explore Nice with its old town, while for New Year’s Eve we rejoin the ship for a grand dinner prepared by the Michelin-starred chef Filippo Chiappini Dattilo. Return on January 1.
Capodanno in Corsica
Who has little time could depart on December 31 from Livorno to reach Bastia in the afternoon, so as to enjoy a stroll before the onboard party planned to celebrate the arrival of the new year in style. Return on January 1.
