Fancy spending Christmas Day at sea? These six sailings all leave from UK ports and include Christmas Day on board. They range from a short Northern Europe break to a month-long Caribbean voyage. Check live availability before booking, as late-December cabins can go quickly and fares may change as demand increases.
The best Christmas cruise 2026 options from UK ports
A lap around the Caribbean
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 leaves Southampton on 12 December for a 30-night round trip. After a transatlantic crossing and a stop in New York, the ship heads south to the Caribbean, calling at Tortola, St Maarten, Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica and St Kitts. Christmas Day, 25 December, is at sea, between St Maarten and Barbados. It returns to Southampton on 11 January 2027.
This is the classic ocean-liner choice for anyone with time for a longer winter escape. Check the Queen Mary 2 Christmas 2026 cruise.
The extra-long transatlantic option
Fred. Olsen’s Borealis departs Southampton on 18 December for a 31-night cruise, returning on 18 January 2027. The itinerary includes Tenerife and several Caribbean islands, with New Year’s Eve in Antigua. Fred. Olsen describes Christmas Day as a relaxing day at sea; the voyage is billed as Caribbean Christmas Island-Hopping.
A month away gives this sailing a leisurely pace, with plenty of sea days around the island visits. The cruise line’s page showed fares from £4,449 per person when checked on 5 November 2026, though prices and availability can change. See the Borealis sailing.
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Canary Islands sunshine
P&O Cruises’ Iona sails from Southampton on 19 December for 16 nights, returning on 4 January 2027. The route takes in Madeira and the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, followed by Cádiz, Lisbon and La Coruña. Christmas Day falls on a sea day.
With several Canary Islands calls, this is a strong pick for travellers hoping for some winter sun without flying. Check the Iona cruise.
Mediterranean marvel
Ambassador’s Ambience leaves London Tilbury on 20 December for a 14-night Christmas and New Year sailing to Spain and Portugal. The itinerary includes Leixões, Lisbon, Almería, Málaga, Gibraltar, Cádiz and Vigo. Christmas Day is spent at sea.
It’s a handy option for London-area travellers who’d rather depart from Tilbury than make their way to Southampton. Explore the Ambience Christmas cruise 2026.
Northern Europe bargain
MSC Preziosa departs Southampton on Christmas Eve, 24 December, for an eight-night Northern Europe cruise. Christmas Day is a sea day, followed by calls including Hamburg, Rotterdam and Cherbourg before the ship returns to Southampton on 1 January 2027.
This is the shortest option here and could suit anyone wanting a festive break without taking a long stretch off work. See the MSC Preziosa sailing.
Cunard Canary Islands
Cunard’s Queen Victoria sets off from Southampton on 16 December for a 12-night Canary Islands cruise, returning on 28 December. The itinerary visits Lisbon, Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Christmas Day is at sea, on the return leg from the islands.
This shorter Cunard voyage packs in several Atlantic island stops while keeping the holiday to under a fortnight. Check the Queen Victoria cruise.
Planning a last-minute Christmas cruise for 2026
These sailings depart from Southampton or London Tilbury, so they offer a no-fly start from the UK. Before booking, check the current fare, cabin availability, final payment terms and the full itinerary directly with the cruise line or booking agent. Port calls and schedules can change, especially as the weather can be a little unpredictable in winter.
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