December cruises 2026up to -50%

December cruises: celebrate summer at sea

December is one of the most popular months to cruise, and the range of sailings on sale reflects that. The Caribbean leads the way by a clear margin, with itineraries ranging from a long weekend to voyages of more than six weeks. South East Asia, the Western Mediterranean, Australia and South America round out the most in-demand regions. Trips run from 4 nights to 48 nights, with a median of 9 nights — plenty of room to find something that fits your schedule and your budget, with prices starting from A$198 pp*.

Where do December cruises go?

The sailings split neatly into two groups: destinations that are a short domestic hop from home, and the longer-haul itineraries that become the centrepiece of a fly-cruise holiday.

Close to home — Australia and South East Asia

A good handful of December sailings depart from Sydney, which means if you live nearby you can board with no flight at all. Travelling from another state, it is a short domestic hop — still far simpler than reaching an overseas embarkation port.

South East Asia is well represented, with sailings departing from Singapore and ending in ports including Hong Kong. These are popular one-way itineraries: the voyage ends in a different city to where it started, so a domestic or short-haul connection completes the loop. We can arrange both flights as part of your booking.

Australian coastal itineraries let you explore your own backyard in December, with round-trip sailings that return to their home port — ideal if you prefer to keep travel simple.

The long haul — the Americas, Europe and beyond

The single biggest concentration of December sailings heads to the Caribbean. Most depart from Florida — principally from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) and Miami, which are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can sail from either and it is worth checking both for dates and prices. Galveston, Texas and San Juan, Puerto Rico are also active embarkation points for the region. We can book your flights from Australia, your hotel either side and your airport transfers, so the cruise sits neatly inside a full holiday.

The Western Mediterranean offers a different flavour — European winter sailings with port-rich itineraries and a more relaxed pace than high summer. South America and Central America are worth considering for longer voyages, while transatlantic crossings and Mexican Riviera sailings add further variety.

Planning a Christmas or New Year cruise?

December is the month that contains both Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, and sailings across the Caribbean, South Pacific and Mediterranean are designed with that in mind. If you want to be at sea for Christmas specifically, take a look at our Christmas cruise deals for Australia 2026 — these itineraries are filtered to the festive period and include round-trip options from Sydney as well as fly-cruise departures.

For a New Year sailing, many of the Caribbean and Australian itineraries span the turn of the year. Our Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruises page covers the full range, or browse Christmas cruise deals if you want the widest possible selection. If you are based in or near Sydney, Christmas cruises from Sydney narrows it down to sailings that leave from your home port.

Travelling from Brisbane? We have dedicated pages for Christmas cruises from Brisbane and December 2026 cruises from Brisbane so you can filter straight to what works for you.

December cruises from Sydney

Sydney is the most active Australian embarkation port in December. Sailings depart from the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the heart of the city, so if you live in Sydney or New South Wales you can board without a domestic flight. Travelling from Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or another capital, a short flight to Sydney is all that stands between you and the gangway — significantly less effort than reaching an overseas port.

Itineraries range from short coastal hops to longer South Pacific voyages. One-way sailings that end in a different Australian port connect easily with a domestic flight home. We can add that leg to your booking, along with any hotel nights you need in Sydney before you sail.

Our December 2026 cruises from Sydney page lists every sailing departing from that port, and December cruises from Sydney covers the broader picture if you want to compare across years.

Which cruise lines sail in December 2026?

MSC Cruises is the most active line in December, with the widest range of itineraries across the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Royal Caribbean follows closely, particularly strong in the Caribbean. Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line both offer a solid range of sailings, while Celebrity Cruises adds premium options across multiple regions.

Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the most popular choices for Caribbean sailings in December — Carnival itineraries around Australia are also available for those who prefer to stay closer to home.

Smaller lines including Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises and AmaWaterways fill out the programme — and AmaWaterways is responsible for the one river sailing in December, worth noting if you assumed everything here is an ocean cruise.

If you are looking specifically at Princess Cruises, their 2027–2028 season is now on sale, with a number of December 2026 sailings bookable as part of that release.

Ships sailing in December 2026

Several well-known ships have a concentration of December sailings. Here is what stands out about the ones with the most availability.

Azura — P&O Cruises

Azura went through a comprehensive bow-to-stern refresh in 2025, covering new restaurants, bars, updated cabin décor and refreshed corridors throughout. The result is a ship that feels genuinely current. On board, Sindhu offers modern Indian cuisine, and the Glass House wine bar — curated by TV personality Olly Smith — gives you a place to settle in with a well-chosen glass after a day in port. The 800-seat Playhouse theatre stages West End-quality aerial acrobatics, and the SeaScreen open-air cinema brings films to the top deck on warm evenings.

Azura’s cabin range runs from practical interiors to the generous Penthouse Suite. A full breakdown is available on the Azura cabins and deck plans page. In brief:

• Larger Inside Cabin OB (15 m²) — found exclusively on Riviera Deck, which makes it easy to find your bearings from day one
• Sea View Cabin LB (15 m²) — the same footprint as the inside cabin, with natural light and an unobstructed sea view added
• Superior Deluxe Balcony Cabin DA (29 m²) — a private balcony for sea air and open views that inside cabins cannot offer
• Penthouse Suite A1 (69 m²) — the largest suite on board, with a full separate lounge area and significantly more living space than standard suites

MSC Preziosa — MSC Cruises

MSC Preziosa announces itself through its Swarovski crystal staircases and a hand-cobbled Italian piazza — a visual identity that holds up on any repeat visit. Entertainment covers the full spectrum: a 120-metre Vertigo waterslide, a 4D cinema, an F1 simulator and the Platinum Theatre. If you want something calmer, the MSC Yacht Club provides butler service, a private pool deck and exclusive dining in an area that feels genuinely separate from the rest of the ship.

Cabin grades on MSC Preziosa are detailed on the MSC Preziosa cabins and deck plans page. The main grades are:

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica (16 m²) — 4 m² larger than the standard inside cabins
• Premium Ocean View Fantastica (20 m²) — a windowed cabin with 3 m² more space than the standard ocean-view grade
• Balcony Aurea (18 m² plus a 4 m² balcony) — larger than the standard balcony grades BA, BB and BC
• Grand Suite Aurea (38 m²) — espresso machine, premium minibar and a walk-in wardrobe
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite (40 m²) — separate living room and up to 3 beds, the most spacious Yacht Club option for families

MSC Fantasia — MSC Cruises

MSC Fantasia was the ship that introduced the Swarovski crystal grand staircase — the design statement that became a signature across MSC’s fleet. Five pools, a Top 18 Exclusive Solarium, an F1 racing simulator, a 4D cinema and the Avanguardia Theatre give you plenty to do on sea days. The MSC Yacht Club here offers a private pool terrace, exclusive L’Etoile restaurant and round-the-clock butler service for those who want a more contained, premium experience.

Full cabin details are on the MSC Fantasia cabins and deck plans page. Grade highlights:

• Deluxe Inside Cabin Fantastica (17 m²) — Fantastica comfort at the same footprint as the standard inside grade
• Premium Ocean View Fantastica (18 m²) — located exclusively on Deck 5, a stable midship position
• Balcony Aurea (19 m²) — on the upper decks, with shorter routes to the pool and bar areas
• Grand Suite Aurea (38 m²) — one of the most spacious suites on board, with a large wardrobe
• MSC Yacht Club Executive & Family Suite with Balcony (36 m²) — significantly more room than a standard ocean-view cabin, with a private balcony

MSC World Europa — MSC Cruises

MSC World Europa is MSC’s largest ship at 215,863 GT. Its headline attraction for thrill-seekers is the Venom Drop @ The Spiral — an 11-deck stainless steel dry slide that is the longest of its kind at sea. Beyond that, Chef Niklas Ekstedt’s Chef’s Garden Kitchen brings a Michelin-pedigree dining concept on board, Luna Park Arena has dodgems among its attractions, and Guinness World Records live events give sea days a competitive edge. Cabin options are detailed on the MSC World Europa cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Magnifica — MSC Cruises

MSC Magnifica’s standout wellness offering is the MSC Aurea Spa, which includes a salt grotto and a Kneipp circuit — a combination not found on other ships in this class. The Royal Theatre seats 1,200 for Broadway-calibre productions, and a 4D cinema covers film nights. The MSC Yacht Club provides the same ship-within-a-ship arrangement found across MSC’s larger vessels: exclusive sundeck, private pool, dedicated restaurant and 24/7 butler service. Explore the full range of grades on the MSC Magnifica cabins and deck plans page.

MSC Musica — MSC Cruises

MSC Musica is a 294-metre Musica-class ship that went through a refit in 2024. Its La Scala Theatre seats 1,200 guests for Broadway-style shows combining song, dance and acrobatics every evening at sea. For dining, Kaito Sushi Bar and Butcher’s Cut steakhouse sit alongside the exclusive MSC Yacht Club. A three-tiered waterfall atrium is the visual heart of the ship. Cabin grades are listed on the MSC Musica cabins and deck plans page.

Explora III

Explora III also sails in December. Cabin and deck details are available on the Explora III cabins and deck plans page.

What fare options are available in December 2026?

Fare structures vary by cruise line, and December has some of the more generous inclusions available anywhere in the calendar. Here is what the major lines offer.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers several fare types on December sailings. The base Cruise Fare covers accommodation and main dining. Solo travellers have a dedicated Single / Solo Fare for single-occupancy bookings. Promotional fare types such as last-minute offers are also available on select sailings — your Cruise1st adviser can confirm what is live at the time you book.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line gives you a clear choice of three tiers. The base brochure fare covers the cruise itself with no extras added. The NCLATSEA tier adds a Premium Beverage Package, a Speciality Dining Package, a Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits at US$50 per port. NCLATSEAPLUS upgrades further, applying the dining and beverage packages to all guests in the stateroom and adjusting the number of speciality dining meals based on the voyage length.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises structures its fares around two main tiers for December. Princess Standard is the base cruise fare, covering accommodation and main dining with beverages, Wi-Fi and dining packages available to add separately. Princess Plus bundles in 4 casual dining meals per voyage, beverages up to A$15 each (with a daily limit of 15 drinks), MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, pre-paid crew appreciation, unlimited digital photographs plus 3 prints, and reserved theatre seating.

Are there any discounts on December 2026 cruises?

A proportion of December sailings carry a reduced price relative to what that same cabin grade previously listed for. Reductions go up to 50% on a single departure, though that is the maximum on one sailing — most reduced sailings sit closer to 10% off. If you are flexible on your exact sailing date, comparing a few nearby departures is often the quickest way to find where the savings are. Our team can do that search for you and confirm what is genuinely reduced at the time you book.

Departing from Sydney or Brisbane in December?

Sydney is the most active Australian home port in December, with P&O Cruises’ Azura among the ships departing from there. If you are in or near Sydney, you can drive or take public transport to the Overseas Passenger Terminal — no flight, no airport. From another state, a domestic flight to Sydney is a short connection.

Brisbane is another option, with its own range of December departures. Our December 2026 cruises from Brisbane page covers those sailings, and if you are already thinking about next year, December 2027 cruises from Brisbane are also on sale.

For Sydney sailings specifically, December 2026 cruises from Sydney and December 2027 cruises from Sydney both have dedicated pages.

If you are in Melbourne, our Christmas cruises from Melbourne page is worth a look for sailings timed around the festive period.

Why book your December cruise with Cruise1st?

Cruise1st is an Australian cruise specialist. Our team is available seven days a week — before you book, not just after — and that makes a real difference when you are comparing cabin grades across multiple ships or working out whether a fly-cruise package saves money over booking the flights separately.

Our Best Price Guarantee means you will not pay more by booking with us than you would booking direct. If you find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere after you book, we will match it.

For most December sailings — which depart from the United States, Europe or Asia — we can arrange a complete Cruise1st Package that wraps flights, pre-cruise hotel nights, transfers and the cruise itself into a single booking. One price, one contact, and nothing left for you to arrange separately.

Cabin choice matters more than most people realise. A balcony grade on one ship can be a very different proposition to the same grade label on another — in size, in location on the ship, and in what the fare tier actually covers. We will walk you through the options for whichever ships and itineraries interest you, so you book with a clear picture of what you are getting.

Cruise1st is a member of ATAS (the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme) and CLIA, giving you recognised consumer protections on every booking.

For sailings closer to home, explore our full Australia cruises programme, check all available cruise departures, or browse our cruise deals for the latest reductions across all months. And if you are already thinking beyond December, January cruises are on sale now — or look back a month to November cruises if your dates are flexible.

Royal Caribbean also has a popular Royal Caribbean Christmas cruise 2026 Australia programme worth exploring, and if New Zealand appeals, Christmas cruises to New Zealand are another seasonal option.

Already thinking about 2027? Christmas cruise 2027 Australia sailings are now bookable, including options from Sydney in January 2027 if you want to extend your summer holiday season into the new year.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.

Where a discount is shown, it is a reduction from the price previously listed for that cabin grade on that sailing, not a comparison between cabin grades or against a brochure rate. Discounts and prices shown are not kept up to date: the reduction available now may be smaller, or may have ended, and prices may have changed.