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Sometimes, as cool water and warm air meet, the islands are draped in a light mist, creating an almost mystical feel. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly cruises, are planning a romantic couples’ getaway, or looking for a unique adventure, here are some of December’s best cruise destinations. Considering the winter season, year-round beach destinations like the Caribbean land at the top of the list. Unexpected locales, such as New Zealand and Patagonia, are worth considering, too. A sophisticated British cruise line, Cunard takes an elevated approach to the holidays.
25 BEST South America Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to South America on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
25 BEST South America Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to South America on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:02:02 GMT [source]
Is December or January a good month to take a cruise?
Visit quaint villages, partake in sled rides, and don’t forget to warm up with some mulled wine and heartening Norwegian cuisine. For the brave-hearted, take a plunge into the icy waters, an age-old tradition guaranteed to invigorate! Whether it’s the allure of the auroras or the charm of the snowy climes, Norway presents a magical winter cruise destination.
The Galapagos: A Unique Ecological Adventure
If you're not creative, check if your cruise line offers cabin decoration packages for preorder prior to your sailing. Venture to Hue and wander the ancient Imperial City before diving into the energy of Ho Chi Minh City. If you want a change of pace, relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Phuket or engage in retail therapy in bustling Bangkok.
By destination
The Caribbean is a dream holiday destination for many and a cruise to the Caribbean is no exception. When it comes to having a quality cruise experience, the Caribbean is always a good bet, no matter what season it is. Showered by sunlight and blessed with warmth, the Caribbean islands offer the ultimate antidote for the drab and dreary winter days back home in the U.S. or Europe. Grab a cocktail at the pool, go snorkeling or fishing, explore colonial towns,… within minutes after leaving port, you’ll have forgotten that it’s actually winter at home.
At this time of year, you can escape the chill at home while enjoying the hot, but not too hot, weather in this part of the world. For most of the year, the Middle East is just too hot to be comfortable to visit. As it’s a busy month, it’s worth booking your cruise well in advance (over a year). By taking a cruise on the Rhine or Danube you can visit several famous markets on one holiday. A Rhine Cruise takes in places like Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne and Strasbourg. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
Best Destinations for December Cruises
Note that regions like Queensland and the Northern Territory can be ridiculously hot this time of year, so make sure to drink enough water and slop on sunscreen. Soon our sunlit morning and evening commutes will be a distant memory and icy patches will catch our unwary feet by surprise. It's time to check the status of our shovels, stock up on ice melt and plan for how we're going to escape the worst the season has to offer -- on a cruise, of course.
Taking a cruise in December is a fun and different way to ring in the winter season (certainly much better than having to shovel snow). Visiting this part of the world is a bit different to somewhere like the Caribbean. When you spend days on land, you need to be more aware of the local cultural norms and ensure that you dress appropriately for the situation. The city has several markets, but the Christkindlmarkt on the central Rathausplatz square is the most famous. Here, you can enjoy ice skating, classical music performances, and a wide variety of festive treats. If you are on board a cruise ship at the end of December you can expect to celebrate New Year with deck parties, live music and dancing.
Choose a departure date that returns before Christmas and New Year's or opt to celebrate the holidays onboard. The best December cruises are bound for warmer ports throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and Central America where sunshine is guaranteed. Travelers with more time and an exotic destination in mind can set sail for the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands straddling the equator.
Winter Cruises in Warm Weather Destinations for November and December
You’ll visit gorgeous riverside towns such as Cochem, Koblenz and Mainz, all featuring their own Christmas festivities, of course. Cozumel is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System which is teeming with exotic sea life to discover, like loggerhead sea turtles and foureye butterflyfish. The Chankanaab National Park is close to the cruise dock, with historical walking trails and a postcard-pretty, white sand beach. As for buying souvenirs, shopping is a delight along the seafront at San Miguel.
The port of Monte Carlo often serves as the embarkation point for winter cruises in this region, although it’s common for Monte Carlo to simply be a port of call for luxury cruises or smaller boutique ships. Mediterranean cruises often include multiple ports of call, allowing passengers to discover a variety of destinations along the coastline. As briefly touched upon before, December is high-summer in Australia and New Zealand. Especially the South Island of New Zealand and the southeastern coasts of Australia are glorious this time of year, soaked in sunshine and enjoying wonderfully warm weather. This is the best time of year for a Down Under cruise—both countries are often included on the same itinerary. Go for wilderness hikes in New Zealand’s ancient forests, visit such iconic metropolises as Melbourne and Sydney, and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
The Jeweled Christmas in Natchez tour features a visit to The Towers, one of the state's most opulent privately owned antebellum homes. Guests will ooh and ahh over the festive decorations and displays that include over 100 Christmas trees. Glide up the Lower Mississippi River and soak in the charms of historic towns decked out in their holiday finest. This American Queen Voyages itinerary will also visit the special European-style Christmas market in Natchez, Mississippi, created especially for the line.
It is definitely going to be cold but you stand a pretty good chance of seeing the Northern Lights which in my opinion is worth the cold weather. Taking an Antartica Cruise in December or January will mean you will get about 20 hours of sunlight and a wealth of wildlife to spot including whales, seal pups and penguin chicks. He swears that his best ever New Year’s Eve was celebrating on board a Galapagos cruise. If you love wildlife but still want good weather then a Winter Galapagos cruise could be perfect for you. To delve into local highlights, a Camel and Mexican Outback Adventure takes you to an oceanside ranch to taste tequila, learn how to make tortillas and go for a camel ride on the beach. You’ll travel aboard a 4×4 Mercedes Unimog along cactus-lined streams and lush nature trails.
Nature lovers can follow in the path of Charles Darwin by flying to Quito, Ecuador, to connect to Galapagos where mid-December through mid-January is high season. Cruises circle around the islands of this wildlife preserve, a volcanic archipelago about 600 miles off the Ecuadorian coast. The 98-passenger Xpedition from Celebrity Cruises provides a small-ship experience on six December departures of seven nights each.
Other river cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways and Emerald Cruises, offer similar destinations and ports of call throughout Hungary, Austria, Germany, and France. The primary port for embarkation on a winter cruise in Tahiti is Papeete, the capital city of French Polynesia. Papeete's Faa'a International Airport offers convenient access to the island. The primary port for embarking on your winter cruise is Vaitape, Bora Bora, the island's main town. A Caribbean cruise typically features a variety of ports and itineraries, allowing travelers to explore multiple islands. From larger cruise liners to smaller luxury ships like Emerald Cruises yachts, there are options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Morocco swelters in the summer, making winter a far more appealing time for sightseeing. In December, daytime temperatures hover around a pleasant 72℉ (22℃), offering the perfect climate to experience the cultured coastal cities of Casablanca and Tangier. This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation.
Cruises along the Nile often make stops at historic cities such as Luxor and Aswan, where ancient temples, tombs, and ruins await. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple Complex, and Abu Simbel are just a few of the captivating sites that can be explored along the Nile's riverbanks. Aqaba, Jordan, is a gateway to the fascinating ancient city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also renowned for its stunning coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
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