Where to cruise in December
December is holiday season at sea. Christmas and New Year sailings are some of the most in-demand of the year, while early December is often a quieter, good-value time in the Caribbean.
Prime season in December
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Caribbean
Average in San Juan, Puerto Rico: high 84°F, low 73°F
Warm water, short flights and the widest choice of ships and itineraries anywhere in cruising.
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Bahamas
Average in Nassau, Bahamas: high 80°F, low 67°F
The quick escape: short cruises from Florida to Nassau, Freeport and the cruise lines' private islands.
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Mexican Riviera
Average in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: high 82°F, low 64°F
West Coast sunshine: Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on easy round trips from Southern California.
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Eastern Caribbean
Average in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands: high 85°F, low 75°F
Beach-hopping through the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico, with some of the calmest sailing in the region.
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Western Caribbean
Average in George Town, Grand Cayman: high 84°F, low 75°F
Maya ruins, barrier reef snorkeling and jungle adventures in Mexico, Central America, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
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Southern Caribbean
Average in Oranjestad, Aruba: high 87°F, low 78°F
The far islands: Aruba, Curacao, Barbados and St. Lucia, with more port days and drier weather in the south.
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Panama Canal
Average in Panama City, Panama: high 89°F, low 71°F
A full day rising through the locks between two oceans, with Caribbean and Central American ports along the way.
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Australia & New Zealand
Average in Sydney, Australia (Sydney Airport): high 80°F, low 65°F
Sydney Harbour, Tasmania and New Zealand's fiords on a cruise timed for the southern summer.
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Antarctica
Average in Esperanza Base, Antarctic Peninsula: high 39°F, low 29°F
Penguins, icebergs and the White Continent on expedition voyages during the brief southern summer.
Shoulder season: fewer crowds, mixed weather
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Hawaii
Average in Honolulu, Hawaii: high 82°F, low 69°F
Four islands in a week from Honolulu, or a long Pacific crossing from the West Coast.
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Asia
Average in Singapore: high 87°F, low 76°F. Northeast monsoon, wetter period
Japan, Southeast Asia and beyond: big cities, temples and food, with the ship as your moving hotel.
Cruises run, but it is off-peak
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Mediterranean
Average in Barcelona, Spain: high 59°F, low 48°F
Rome, Barcelona, the Riviera and the Adriatic: the most history you can see in one week at sea.
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Transatlantic
Average in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal: high 65°F, low 56°F
A week or more at sea between North America and Europe, with island stops on many routes.
What to watch in December
- Holiday sailings book up early, often a year or more ahead for suites and family cabins.
- Early December can be a sweet spot before the holiday rush.
- Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand are in their summer season.
Usually no or very few cruises in December: Alaska, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Northern Europe & Baltic, the Greek Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles.
Seasons and temperatures come from our destination guides, which cite their climate sources. Averages are long-term and any given week can differ.
Want a December cruise?
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