Top 10 Holiday Cruises in 2023

Oh, there’s no place like a cruise ship for the holidays! From the months of November through January, most cruise lines transform their ships into a winter wonderland at sea, complete with festive decorations and holiday-themed activities for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s. 

We’ve rounded up our picks for the top 10 cruises to consider for the 2023 - 2024 holiday season that are perfect to start planning now. If you are still looking for a special present to give someone, any of these dream cruises would make for the perfect gift. Happy holidays! 

1. Enjoy Turkey and Trimmings on Norwegian Sky

10 Night Eastern Caribbean Adventure (Miami Roundtrip)

Check yourself out of kitchen duty for Thanksgiving and let Norwegian Cruise Line cook the turkey! This epic 10-night sailing on the Norwegian Sky is the perfect holiday escape. You will cruise roundtrip from Miami, visiting Great Stirrup Cay, St. Maarten, San Juan, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Puerto Playa. The voyage is highlighted with an epic Thanksgiving day spent in beautiful Basseterre, St. Kitts.  

See All November 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Sailings 

2. Spend Christmas in the Mediterranean

7 Night Western Mediterranean (Barcelona Roundtrip) on MSC Fantasia 

This special Mediterranean cruise kicks off on December 23, 2023. You will board the spectacular MSC Fantasia for a week-long adventure visiting various historical and beautiful European ports. Sail roundtrip from Barcelona, with stops in Cinque Terre, Provence, Portifino, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, and one at sea day.  

Explore All December 2023 Mediterranean Cruises

3. Spend Christmas with Mickey, Minnie, and the Gang!

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Pt. Canaveral Roundtrip) on Disney Fantasy

No one does a family-friendly holiday cruise like Disney Cruise Line! The combination of decor, themed activities, and entertainment is an absolutely magical experience. On this ‘Very Merrytime’ voyage, you can expect to see favorite Disney characters in their holiday attire and the Disney Fantasy completely transformed into a winter wonderland. This 7-night voyage sails roundtrip from Port Canaveral and makes stops in Tortola, Charlotte Amalie, and the cruise line’s private island Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.  

Explore All Holiday 2023 Disney Cruise Line Sailings 

4. Ring in the New Year in the Mexican Riviera

7 Night Cruise on Navigator of the Seas (Roundtrip Los Angeles) 

Raise a glass of champagne on board the magnificent Navigator of the Seas, and cheers to the New Year ahead. This cruise homeports from Los Angeles, making stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. New Year's Eve falls on the third day of this sailing, allowing you to ring in 2024 with Royal Caribbean!

Explore All December 2023 Cruises with Royal Caribbean

5. Cruise the Rhine During Christmastime with Viking

7 Night Cruise on Viking Gymir (Basel to Amsterdam)

This river cruise adventure on the Viking Tiafi is the perfect way to participate in time-honored European holiday traditions. Stroll along the colorful holiday stalls, mingle with locals, and sample some of the fabulous treats on this dream cruise. This voyage departs from Basel, and sails to Breisach Am Rhine, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Koblenz, Cologne, Dordrecht, and ends in Amsterdam. 

Explore All December 2023 Viking River Cruises

6. Escape the December Cold in the Caribbean with Celebrity Cruises

7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Celebrity Apex (Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip) 

What could be better than spending New Year’s with Celebrity Cruises? This exciting holiday sailing takes place on Celebrity Apex, one of the newer ships in the line’s fleet. You will sail roundtrip from Port Everglades and spend seven fun-filled days in the sunny Caribbean. Port stops include San Juan, Basseterre, and Tortola, as well as three at-sea days. New Year’s Eve occurs on the second day of the trip, an at-sea day. You will be able to enjoy all the wonderful amenities this Edge-class ship offers, as well as a special midnight champagne toast with your fellow shipmates. 

Explore All December 2023 Cruises from Celebrity

7. Dreamy South Pacific Cruise on Carnival Splendor

8 Night Carnival Cruise (Roundtrip Sydney)

Head ‘Down Under’ for Christmas 2023! This exciting cruise on the Carnival Splendor sails roundtrip from Sydney, making stops in the New Caledonia ports of Noumea and Lifou Isle. You will spend Christmas Day at sea day, where you will enjoy the festive holiday decor on the ship and a special feast. 

Explore All December 2023 South Pacific Cruises

8. Explore the Mediterranean & Israel Onboard Island Princess

14 Night Princess Cruises Sailing (Rome Roundtrip)

This November 2023 Princess Cruises voyage is the perfect way to explore many ancient port cities in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Israel. You will cruise roundtrip from Rome, making stops in Olympia, Athens, Ephesus, Ashdod, Haifa, Limassol, Rhodes, Mykonos, Messina, and Salerno. This cruise departs on November 23, 2023, allowing you to spend Thanksgiving Day at sea. 

Explore All November and December 2023 Cruises with Princess

9. Spend Christmas in the Tropics with Holland America Line

7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Nieuw Amsterdam (Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Tell Santa Claus to send your presents down to the Caribbean! This Eastern Caribbean sailing departs on December 23, allowing for the perfect holiday family cruise. Sails from Port Everglades, making stops in Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Key West. Christmas Day is an at-sea day where you will enjoy an extra special festive day onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. 

See All December 2023 Holland America Line Cruises

10. Ultimate Antarctic Holiday Adventure

12 Night Cruise on Viking Ocantis (Roundtrip Buenos Aires) 

Ushuaia, Argentina - Photo by Canva

Dreaming of a White Christmas? This once-in-a-lifetime, 12-night luxury Antarctic expedition with Viking is just for you. Your adventure will begin aboard the Viking Oceantis in Buenos Aires, Argentina. You will travel to some of the most remote polar destinations in the world to explore extraordinary wildlife and stunning landscapes that few have ever seen. Itinerary highlights include two days to visit Ushuaia, Argentina, and cruising through the Drake Passage and Cape Horn. This voyage is the ultimate way to cap off 2023 and ring in 2024! 

Explore All December 2023 Viking Ocean Cruises