The short answer: for the holidays, decide early — Christmas and New Year sailings are the first to fill up. For warmth: the Caribbean, the Arabian Gulf or the Canary Islands. For something unusual: Cape Horn at the start of the southern summer, or the northern lights.
Where to go in December
| Destination | Weather | Why this month | Where from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | About 27–30 °C | The dry season begins: summer in the middle of the European winter | Florida or the islands |
| Arabian Gulf | About 22–27 °C | The most comfortable weather for walking and sightseeing | Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Canary Islands | About 21–24 °C | Reliable warmth a short flight away; popular over Christmas | Tenerife or Gran Canaria |
| South America | Often 26–34 °C in Brazil | The high season begins, with New Year's Eve off Copacabana | Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires |
| Cape Horn | About 5–15 °C | Start of the season, with very long days in the far south | Buenos Aires or Chile (San Antonio, Valparaíso) |
| Northern lights | About −5 to 0 °C | The longest darkness, snow and a Christmas atmosphere in the Arctic | Northern European ports |
Temperatures are typical daytime values and vary from year to year. Ships and routes are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change; always check the specific sailing.
What is special about December
- Christmas and New Year at sea. Ships put on a festive programme; these weeks are the busiest of the winter. More in our guide to Christmas and New Year cruises.
- A quiet first half. Until the school holidays begin, around 20 December, many sailings are noticeably less full.
- Christmas markets by ship. Short cruises along the North Sea coast call at cities decorated for Christmas.
- Summer holidays in the south. In Brazil and Argentina the long summer holidays start, and the South American season gets busy.
No flight needed
MSC sails short city cruises from Rotterdam and Hamburg all winter, including over Christmas and New Year.
Booking a December cruise with points
Every way of paying in the club also works for sailings in December that are available in the club. You choose one per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price; they do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, the booking must be made at least 270 days before departure — for a cruise in December, that is roughly March or early April of the same year — and you need to have accumulated enough points by then.
How booking with points works →
← November · All months · January →
Common questions
Where is it warm in December?
In the Caribbean (about 27–30 °C), the Arabian Gulf (about 22–27 °C) and the Canary Islands (about 21–24 °C). In South America it is high summer.
Are Christmas and New Year cruises busier?
Yes. They are the most popular sailings of the winter and the first to fill up. The first half of December is much quieter.
Can I see the northern lights on a December cruise?
December is in the season, with the longest nights. But the northern lights depend on the weather and solar activity, so nobody can guarantee them.
When do I need to book a cruise in December to pay fully with points?
To pay up to 100% with points, book at least 270 days before departure — for in December that is roughly March or early April of the same year — and have enough points accumulated by then. Points can also cover up to half of the cruise price.
Weather figures are typical values; ships, routes and dates are based on cruise line announcements for 2026–2027 and may change. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.