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Whether you're dreaming of sun-soaked shores or the charm of traditional Christmas markets, where will your Christmas cruise take you?

Christmas decorations on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2.Picture date: Friday December 15, 2017.Photograph by Christopher Ison ©07544044177chris@christopherison.comwww.christopherison.comImage provided to Cunard with a licence providing full global marketing rights to use this image for advertising, marketing and PR for five years from date of shoot.

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Dream of festive charm in Europe, winter sun in the Canary Islands, a Transatlantic Crossing to the dazzling Christmas lights of New York, or even the tropical warmth of the Caribbean. Your perfect Christmas cruise awaits.

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A Christmas cruise is one of our special sailings offered during the festive period. These cruises are carefully designed to celebrate the spirit of Christmas — from festive destinations and thoughtfully curated itineraries, to themed dining experiences and seasonal activities on board. Our ships even dress for the occasion, adorned with enchanting decorations and, of course, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

What is a Christmas cruise?

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to the gentle sound of the ocean and a view of a tropical paradise. A Christmas cruise is a truly magical experience. From when you step on board, the ship is transformed into a winter wonderland, with decorations, the scent of mince pies in the air, and carol singing in the main lobby.&nbsp;
A Cunard Christmas cruise is a chance to escape the stress of the season and embrace what Christmas is really about: connection, celebration, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

What is it like on a Cunard cruise ship at Christmas?

What you decide to do on your cruise is very dependent on where you're visiting. We suggest looking at our <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack">packing guide</a>, which gives you a good idea of what to pack when sailing on one of our Queens.

What should I wear on a Christmas cruise?

On a Cunard Christmas cruise, the world is your oyster. Sail the globe in iconic Cunard style and visit outstanding destinations filled with Christmas spirit.&nbsp;
<h3>City breaks</h3>
For a traditional Christmas, sail to cities like Rotterdam and Hamburg or Lisbon, and Barcelona, or embark on a Transatlantic Crossing for Christmas in the iconic New York City.
<h3>Christmas in the sun</h3>
Escape the winter chill and set sail for sun-drenched shores in the Caribbean or Canary Islands.
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You can <a title="View Christmas cruises" aria-label="View Christmas cruises" href="http://www.cunard.com/en-gb/find-a-cruise?themes=christmas-voyage">browse all our Christmas itineraries</a> on our website for the most up to date availabilty.

Where can I cruise at Christmas?

Frequently asked questions: Christmas and New Year cruises

Christmas on board a Cunard Queen is a magical experience from the moment you embark. Twinkling lights and classic decorations set the scene, with trees dressed to perfection and the irresistible scent of the gingerbread village in the air. Savour a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and a special Afternoon Tea with delicious seasonal treats. Watch your favourite festive films, sing carols in the Grand Lobby, and enjoy delightful surprises throughout your voyage.
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Experience the wonder of Christmas, reimagined at sea

Christmas decorations and tree in the Grand Lobby of the Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2.Picture date: Sunday December 15, 2019.Photograph by Christopher Ison ©07544044177chris@christopherison.comwww.christopherison.com

Welcome to an exceptional New Year's celebration with a New Year’s Eve cruise on a Cunard Queen. Spend the day in port exploring new shores before setting sail for the evening’s festivities. Experience the anticipation of midnight drawing ever nearer, and take to the dancefloor at your ship’s magical New Year’s Eve ball, for a spectacular celebration at sea you’ll never forget.
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Drinks in the Commodore Club on board Queen Mary 2.Client: Cunard.Picture date: Saturday December 10, 2022.Photograph by Christopher Ison ©07544044177chris@christopherison.comwww.christopherison.comIMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING IMAGE LICENCING FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPH: Agreement title: For Cunard and third parties - Chris Ison photographyAgreement: This image is for Cunard and third parties, can be used in all markets, all channels and expires on 1 November 2027.  No sales are permitted unless expressly agreed in writing with the photographer.

Celebrate the season in style by exploring enchanting Christmas markets across Northern Europe with our Christmas market cruises to Bruges, Hamburg, and Rotterdam—three cities that come alive with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and timeless traditions. Whether you're sipping mulled wine beneath a canopy of stars, browsing handcrafted gifts in historic squares, or enjoying local festive cuisine, these cruises promise unforgettable moments wrapped in winter wonder.
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Members of our Cunard family will often be found sailing the Canary Islands in December and early January. We take a tropical trip around the islands and archipelagos to find out how the locals mark the Christmas season.

Christmas decorated facade in Garachico old town on Tenerife island; Shutterstock ID 360653651; Invoice Number: -

If you’re embarking on a Northern Europe voyage during the festive season, a visit to the Christmas markets in the Belgian town of Bruges is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit of this enchanting place.

Christmas decoration and lighting Old Market Square in the historic center of Bruges, Belgium.; Shutterstock ID 389804668

Spending Christmas and New Year on a Cunard Queen is a voyage our guests never forget. Discover the preparations that take place on board.

Where else would we display the centrepiece of the festive season? Our Grand Lobby is the heart of each ship and, every December, home to a beautiful tree adorned with traditional decorations.

The Christmas tree in the Grand Lobby on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2.Picture date: Thursday December 15, 2016.Photograph by Christopher Ison ©07544044177chris@christopherison.comwww.christopherison.com

Browsing the boutiques and stores on board is a world apart from Christmas shopping on shore. It’s a serene experience,&nbsp;featuring Cunard-branded gifts and a wide range of designer names, including Pandora, Tag Heuer, and Chanel.

A man and a woman cosy up under a blanket with hot chocolate on the deck of Queen Elizabeth

On a Cunard cruise, there are always things for families to do together. Want some quality time? Our kids' zone lets you enjoy your Christmas cruise as you choose, with a blend of family fun and precious alone time.

Immerse yourself in the season's enchantment with a festive dining experience on board a Cunard Queen. For voyages over Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, our main dining restaurants will host jubilant festivities, with specially curated dining menus and a merry atmosphere.&nbsp;

Enjoy a festive season like no other, with Cunard.

If you seek sun, sea, and adventure this Christmas, then a Cunard cruise to the Canary Islands is the perfect getaway. Explore the golden sand beaches as the warm winter breeze blows through the palm trees. Discover the outstanding ports of the Canary Islands and local Christmas traditions in the bustling cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
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An abstract view of Playa de las Terisitas beach on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

Aerial view of Lower Manhattan at sunset. New York. USA

Celebrate Christmas with a journey as timeless as the season itself. As you sail across the Atlantic, enjoy festive days at sea filled with seasonal dining and entertainment. Arrive in New York, where the enchantment of Christmas is felt throughout the city — twinkling lights, timeless traditions, and the kind of festive magic that only the Big Apple can deliver.

Trade tradition for a tropical getaway this Christmas. Wake to warm breezes and island views, spend your days exploring the turquoise waters and cultural towns, and relax in the comfort of a ship dressed for the season.

Celebrate Christmas in style with a luxury cruise through Northern Europe’s most enchanting festive cities. From the elegant boulevards of Hamburg, aglow with traditional Christmas markets, to the sparkling canals of Rotterdam, and discover festive traditions wrapped in European elegance.

As pioneers of the World Voyage, we certainly think so! Exploring the world by ship is unlike any other mode of travel, giving you access to sights and wonders that flying or travelling by road cannot offer. Cruising also gives you the luxury of going to sleep only to wake up in your next destination; no connections or weary travelling required. If you travel on a Full World Voyage, you will be sailing roundtrip; with no flights, your luggage allowance is as large as you need it to be (as long as each item is below 23kg). And speaking of luggage, perhaps one of our favourite things about cruising is that you can see dozens of destinations and only unpack once for your entire voyage! Plus, with Cunard, you have access to additional Full World Voyage benefits on selected cruises, and everything else that makes a Cunard voyage so special, including White Star Service, fine dining, world-class entertainment and a world of wellness at sea.

Are world cruises worth it?

A world cruise will require several documents, including visa, vaccination certificates and insurance, plus a versatile suitcase with everything you might need. Fortunately, we have a&nbsp;<a title="Preparing for your world cruise" href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-destinations/world-voyage/preparing-for-a-world-cruise">handy online guide</a>&nbsp;to help you through your preparations.

How can I prepare for a world cruise?

At the time of writing, a Full World Voyage with Cunard will last 107-116 nights, as your Cunard Queen takes a full circumnavigation of the globe from Southampton, New York or Hamburg. However, we also offer World Voyage sectors, which are smaller ‘pieces’ of a Full World Voyage, so you can join your ship for a shorter journey. For example, join Queen Mary 2 in Singapore and disembark in Fremantle, or join Queen Anne in San Francisco and disembark in Hong Kong.&nbsp;View all World Voyages currently on sale&nbsp;to find an itinerary to suit your schedule.

How long is a world cruise?

Full World Voyages with Cunard are up to three months in length, and at the time of writing cost as little as £9,999 per person for a Britannia Inside stateroom. Aside from Full World Voyages, we also have World Voyage sectors, pieces of a full world cruise sold individually, so you can sail on a shorter holiday with a lower price.&nbsp;&nbsp;View all Full World Voyages and sectors currently on sale&nbsp;for current prices.
Prices change frequently and will vary on the cruise, your stateroom grade, and whether you choose our Early Saver, Late Saver or Cunard Fare. Early and Late Savers are restricted to certain booking periods but will save you on cost, whereas the Cunard Fare gives you several valuable booking benefits. You can learn more about our different fare types and their benefits on&nbsp;<a title="Cunard's fares" href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/our-fares">our fares page</a>.
Whatever you decide, your cruise fare includes dining in your stateroom restaurant, entertainment and activities, plus our daily Afternoon Tea and use of our gym facilities, pools, and children’s clubs. You can see the full list of inclusions, and items/experiences not included, on our&nbsp;<a title="What's included in your cruise" href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/whats-included">'What's included' webpage</a>.

How much does a world cruise cost?

Some incredible destinations to visit on a world cruise include the Norwegian Fjords, New Zealand's Fiordland, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, The Whitsunday Islands, ancient Petra in Jordan, the Caribbean and South-East Asia. Check our World Voyage itineraries for more exciting destinations.

What are the best places to visit on a world cruise?

A World Voyage (the Cunard version of a world cruise) is one that calls at several continents, offering guests the opportunity to explore a variety of ports in a wealth of countries. Our World Voyages can be experienced in their entirety, but can also be booked as smaller &quot;sectors&quot;, so you can choose a voyage that can span either weeks or months at a time.

What is a World Voyage (world cruise)?

There is no currency that will be universally accepted on a world cruise or world cruise sector: even within the same continent, currencies can vary from country to country. If you don't want to travel with multiple currency types, or continually withdraw currency in the ports you call at, you could register for a prepaid debit card which would allow you to upload funds in your native currency and pay in the local currency of each country you visit (where such cards are accepted).
While you are on board, the currency will be US Dollars.

What is the currency on a world cruise?

Your World Voyage (world cruise) or world cruise sector itinerary will take into account local weather conditions in the ports you're due to call at, timing your voyage to coincide when temperatures and conditions are at their peak for exploring. That said, it never hurts to prepare for all eventualities. The weather can be changeable in parts of Europe, while Asia can be extremely hot and humid, depending on the season. It's best to be prepared for everything, from intense sun to rain!

What is the weather like on a world cruise?

Whether you are embarking on a full world cruise or a shorter world cruise sector, you're likely to hear a variety of languages spoken, from Spanish and Arabic to Japanese and Cantonese, depending on where in the world you call. You'll find some level of English is spoken in most ports you call at, and your ship's crew will primarily converse with you in English on board too.

What languages are spoken on a world cruise?

On a world cruise or world cruise sector, the ship will become your home for several weeks or even months, so it's vital to pack a variety of clothing options for both good and bad weather, as well as daytimes exploring and evenings on board.
Outfits for formal evenings on your ship are a must, as are a couple of pairs of sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Swimwear and flip flops will ensure you're able to make full use of your ship's pools and spa, plus any beaches you call at on your voyage. A waterproof coat will keep you warm and dry if the weather takes a turn for the worse, while cardigans and shirts are perfect for layering over T-shirts and dresses when you need a lighter cover-up.

What should I pack for a world cruise?

This will depend on your nationality and which ports you call at, but the likelihood is you will need to apply for some visas if you're embarking on a world cruise or world cruise sector. Visa requirements differ from country to country, even within the same continent, and in some countries, those visiting on a cruise ship may need a different visa to those entering the country for longer periods by land or air.&nbsp;It's best to list out the ports of call included in your itinerary in order and then spend a little time researching the visa stipulations of each.
Be aware that on top of visas, some countries may also require you to have certain vaccinations, so it's best to look into this also. Seek advice from your travel agent or a doctor if you are unsure.

Will I need a visa for a world cruise?

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Christmas and New Year's Eve cruises

Why spend your Christmas with Cunard?

Experience the wonder of Christmas, reimagined at sea

Celebrate the New Year in style

Christmas market cruises

Christmas cruises from Southampton

Christmas on our Queens

The Christmas tree

Seasonal shopping

Christmas for families on board

Christmas drinks and dining

Celebrate Christmas in the world's most enchanting ports

Canary Island cruises

Christmas cruise inspiration

A Canary Christmas

Exploring Bruges Christmas Markets

A Cunard Christmas