Ditch Dry Turkey for Sandy Shores: The Best Christmas Cruise Holidays for 2025
From joyful carollers singing Silent Night to not-so-silent family rows, Christmas is a time of love, laughter, and last-minute shopping. From debates over dry turkey and wallets drained, spent on gifts for relatives only seen once a year, the festive season is rarely as peaceful as the carols promise.
So this year, Cruise Nation is encouraging Brits to switch slippers for sandals with one of their Cruise Nation Smart Packages – including return flights from the UK, a free hotel stay, and cruise holidays.
Phil Evans, Founder and Managing Director of Cruise Nation says: “Nobody gets under your skin like families at the holidays. This year, it’s time to escape the panic shopping and dry turkey in favour of sandy shores and winter sun. From multi-gen sailings with enough space for the kids, parents, and grandparents, to adults-only voyages for couples and friends, Cruise Nation has a Christmas cruise deal ready to unwrap.”
Discover the best cruise for each family holiday below…
Queen of Christmas, Princess of the Sea
2-Nights Miami & 10-Nights Princess Cays & Christmas in the Caribbean
Trade winter blues for ocean views with an escape to Florida and the Caribbean. Start with two-nights on sandy beaches in Miami before boarding Princess’ Enchanted Princess for a ten-night full-board cruise through the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, St. Maarten, Basseterre, Tortola, and St. John’s. Be the Christmas Queen and let Princess take care of it all.
Departing 15-27 December 2025.
Prices start from £1,679pp including return flights from the UK.
Sail the Med, Skip the Meltdown
2-Nights Barcelona & 7-Nights Med Cities & Islands
If the thought of spending Christmas with your family in a confined space brings you dread, then a cruise might be the answer. Pack up the kids, the grandparents, and the slightly unpredictable aunt (plus her latest beau) and set sail on this seven-night full-board cruise aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa. Explore France, Italy, Malta, and Spain by day and this expansive ship by night. With seven pools, 13 dining venues, a spa, and the largest waterpark at sea, there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to spend every moment together or steal a little alone time, this cruise lets you do Christmas your way.
Departing 17-26 December 2025.
Prices start from £969pp including return flights from the UK.
Ring in the New Year
3-Nights Miami & 7-Nights Resilient New Year’s Ahoy
Round up some friends and swap mulled wine for mimosas aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady. Whether it’s a girl’s trip or a couple’s escape, this adults-only cruise is the perfect way to ring in the New Year. Dance through energetic Miami before sailing through Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. Who doesn’t want to be sipping champagne island-style when the clock strikes midnight?
Departing 27 December to 3 January 2026.
Prices start from £3,239pp.
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