Swap turkey for some Caribbean spice this Christmas onboard Celestyal Crystal, where you can experience authentic Cuban food and entertainment as you sail around the island in seven days. The mid-sized ship is able to access smaller ports to showcase the best of Cuba, including the palm-fringed beach Maria La Gorda, as well as the historic Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed El Morro Castle. Diving fans will love Maria la Gorda in Cuba’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, for a day of diving or snorkelling among the coral reef. The itinerary includes two full days in the colourful capital Havana. Departing from Havana on 21 December, the cruise costs from £712 with yourcubacruise.com. Flights with Air Europa start from £1,161 return.
If Christmas is all about gold, frankincense and myrrh, then the UAE is the perfect place to celebrate, where you can bask in the sunshine, soak up the culture and enjoy ultimate luxury aboard MSC Musica on a cruise to Abu Dhabi, Oman and Dubai. The seven-night cruise takes in Dubai for you to experience the very best in modern and traditional Arabia, as well as Muscat, a particular gem with its famous Old Muttrah souk. Khasab, dubbed the Norway of the Middle East due to its incredible fjords is a major highlight. Cruise-only prices start from £499 per person with MSC Cruises for a 20 December departure.
Norway is renowned for its Christmas traditions, with legends of trolls and yuletide tales, as well as sleighs and magical reindeer. This year, you can spend the festive period surrounded by snow-capped mountains, twinkly lights and with a bit of luck, the Northern lights on a cruise with Hurtigruten. You'll learn Norwegian Christmas carols, decorate the tree with the crew and join a local church service on Christmas Eve. Brunch is served on Christmas Day, before more festive meals throughout the day, including traditional Norwegian dishes. The 12-day Classic Round Voyage departs from Bergen on 20 December and costs £1,807 per person, including flights, wine or beer with dinner and the Northern Lights Promise.
Escape the British winter and enjoy a cocktail in the sun this Christmas on a Caribbean cruise where you can explore the cobbled streets of Puerto Rico’s old town, soak up the rays on the island of St. Maarten and take advantage of duty-free shopping in St. Thomas. Celebrity Cruises' nine-night East Caribbean Christmas fly-cruise offers festive treats onboard, such as Christmas dinner, special shows and Christmas decorations that adorn the ship. The cruise departs from Miami and calls at San Juan, Charlotte Amalie and Philipsburg, before returning to Miami. Prices start from £2,024 per person, based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom, and include return flights from Heathrow, one night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and transfers.
- Make it a Christmas you'll never forget by venturing to the most dramatic corners of the world on an incredible 24-day Antarctica, Patagonia & South Georgia Island voyage with Seabourn Quest. The cruise, which departs Buenos Aires on 20 December, reaches the Antarctic by 30 December to spend an amazing six days in this remote part of the world. Christmas is spent onboard, cruising through the Canal Sarmiento and taking in its spectacular scenery of lush mountains and glaciers. The extraordinary shore excursions include visiting penguin colonies and local inhabits. There is also the chance to kayak along the outer shoreline with expert Matt J. Dolan who once kayaked the entire inside passage from Seattle to Muir Glacier. The cruise returns to Buenos Aires on 13 January and costs from £10,999 per person in a Veranda Suite.
Cruise to winter sun haven the Canary Islands for a terrific time exploring Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Malaga this Christmas. Departing on 17 December, the 11-night holiday onboard Norwegian Epic with cruise1st.co.uk includes a two-night pre-cruise stay in Barcelona, where you can explore the delights of the wonderful beach city before sailing to Tangier, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Malaga to soak up the Arab and European culture, then returning to Barcelona to fly back to the UK. The cruise costs from £799 per person.
- Enjoy the festivities of the Big Apple like true New Yorkers on Cunard’s a seven-night Transatlantic cruise onboard Queen Mary 2. Christmas cruisers can window shop on Fifth Avenue, ice skate at the Rockefeller Center or, for those there on New Year’s Eve, witness the Ball Drop in Times Square. This will either be preceded or followed by the luxurious cruise, with four free nights in New York for Christmas. The full-board holiday from Cruise Nation costs from £899 per person departing 15 December, including return flights to Gatwick.
Discover South Africa on a Christmas cruise that invites you to immerse yourself in the country's rich cultural background, scenery and wildlife. Voyages to Antiquity's 20-day Christmas & New Year in South Africa holiday takes you to Table Mountain, Robben Island and Mossel Bay. On Christmas Eve, there is a visit to the Addo Elephant Park, home to 450 elephants, before you set off for a day at sea on Christmas Day. Prices start from £3,995 per person, based on two people sharing a standard inside cabin and include return flights departing the UK on 17 December, plus nine shore excursions.
Soak up the sunshine, beach life and abundant nature in the Seychelles this Christmas where you can really get to the know islands on a 10-night yacht cruise aboard Crystal Esprit. The roundtrip cruise from Mahe on the 62-guest yacht that departs on 23 December, visits St Anne Island, La Passe, Baie St Anne, Desroches Island and more. Throughout the holiday, you can explore the beauty of the islands, the wonderful wildlife and spend Christmas a world away from the UK, relaxing in heavenly Coco Anse on 25 December. The holiday includes a three-night land package in Dubai, where you will celebrate New Year's Eve. The all-inclusive fly-cruise package costs from £6,102 per person.
For a Christmas like no other, explore Bali, Komodo and the Great Barrier Reef on Azamara Quest. The 14-night Bali & Barrier Reef Voyage from 22 December to 5 January takes in Aboriginal culture, tropical rainforests and the Australian Outback, in addition to Indonesian islands Komodo and Lombok. On Christmas Day, you can head to the Komodo National Park, the only place in the world where the Komodo dragon is found. Once ashore, a local tour guide will take you on a walking expedition of the island (£84 per person). There is a special Christmas menu on 25 December, carols, eggnog and a Christmas show for cruisers looking to get into the festive spirit. On New Year's Eve, a special dinner celebration is hosted at sea. The cruise holiday costs £1,954 per person (departure flights to Bali and returning flights from Cairns not included).