Skipping the in-laws this Christmas and waking up to a cabin steward instead? Cruise lines have you covered, with sailings departing from the UK and across Europe and the US through the festive season. Here's a rundown of the standout options for December 2026.

For families who want winter sun without a flight, P&O's Ventura sails round trip from Southampton on 21 December for 12 nights, taking in La Coruña, the Canary Islands and Lisbon. Christmas happens at sea, Boxing Day lands on a Tenerife beach, and onboard there's a British panto, themed dinners and a kids' club spanning ages two to 17 — plus an adults-only spa terrace if you need a break. From £1,649pp.

Prefer something slower? VIVA Cruises' six-night Seine sailing on its newest ship, VIVA Beyond, leaves Paris on 21 December and threads through Normandy's Christmas markets. Christmas Eve brings a gala dinner and midnight mass in Rouen; Christmas Day is spent at Les Andelys, under the ruins of Richard the Lionheart's Château Gaillard. From £1,625pp.

MSC is launching its new flagship MSC World Asia in December 2026, and a seven-night Med itinerary from Civitavecchia departs the same day, ticking off Italy, Malta, Spain and France — meaning Christmas lunch on La Rambla and Boxing Day in Marseille. The ship has 40 bars and restaurants, West End-style shows, and an 81.3-metre dry slide spanning 12 decks. From £1,035pp, it's the budget pick of the bunch.

Across the Atlantic, Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas departs Fort Lauderdale on 20 December for six nights, calling at the line's private CocoCay island in the Bahamas plus Mexico's Cozumel and Costa Maya. Expect waterparks, a climbing wall, zip-lining off the side of the ship and traditions like ugly jumper making and gingerbread decorating. From £1,269pp. Disney's answer is the Disney Destiny, its heroes-and-villains-themed newcomer, on a five-night Bahamian loop from Fort Lauderdale departing 23 December — private islands Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay included, plus a 24-foot tree, a life-sized gingerbread house and Mickey-hosted parties. From £1,521pp.

A few practical notes if you're tempted. Check whether Christmas Day falls on a port day or a sea day — the big turkey lunch tends to happen on sea days, and some lines do their main dinner on Christmas Eve. Ships are fully decorated, kids can usually meet Santa (via grotto on P&O, stage show on MSC), and festive excursions to markets and lights displays are the norm on European itineraries. Book as early as you can for cabin choice, but watch fares afterwards in case the price drops and you can claim the difference. Comparison sites like SeaScanner and apps such as MyKindOfCruise make it easy to benchmark prices before committing.

Who's it for? Families after a hassle-free Christmas with Santa and entertainment built in, couples who'd rather trade cooking for a gala dinner, and anyone chasing sunshine in late December without planning a single thing.