LAST MINUTE CRUISES TO BOOK FOR DECEMBER (FROM CRUISE CRITIC)

Cruises provide a convenient way to visit multiple destinations without the need to unpack and repack at each stop. This can be particularly appealing for those who enjoy exploring different places but prefer a more relaxed travel experience. Many cruise packages are all-inclusive, covering accommodations, meals, entertainment, and sometimes even shore excursions. This can simplify travel planning and budgeting. Cruises offer the opportunity to visit multiple destinations in a single trip. Whether it's exploring different Caribbean islands, touring European cities, cruising through Alaskan fjords, or exploring Far East Asia, there's a wide range of itineraries to choose from. Cruise ships are like floating resorts, often featuring a variety of entertainment options such as theaters, casinos, pools, spas, and more. This can be appealing for those looking for a mix of relaxation and entertainment. Shore excursions allow passengers to explore the local culture and attractions at each port of call. These can range from guided tours to adventurous activities, providing a diverse array of experiences. Booking last-minute cruises can be a great way to find deals, but it's important to keep a few things in mind. Flexibility is Key, Check multiple websites or travel agencies, Sign up for Alerts with the websites, Follow Cruise lines on Social Media, Consider Repositioning cruises (these cruises are less expensive), Visit Cruise ports directly (if you live near one), Be Ready to Book Quickly, and Check for Cruise Packages (including airfare, hotel stays). Another great way to find cruises is to filter the Search by Destination, Departure Port and Departure Month. If you are looking for Cruises in the Month of December, simply just select December under the Departure Month; you may further condense the search by selecting the length of the cruise, the Cruise line, and the Price. Click here to begin your personalized search.

December 2023 Cruises to Asia

Cruises in Asia have become increasingly popular, offering a unique way to explore diverse cultures, historical sites, and beautiful landscapes. Several cruise lines operate in Asian waters, providing itineraries that visit ports in countries across the region. Cruises often visit Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Asian cruises often focus on providing passengers with immersive cultural experiences. Shore excursions may include visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient temples, traditional markets, and some pristine beaches. Japan, China, and South Korea also offer many cruise itineraries as well, but they are generally more expensive than cruises to Southeast Asia. Major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and others, offer itineraries in Asia. Additionally, there are regional cruise companies that specialize in Asian destinations. 

14 Night Asia: Thailand Indonesia & Malaysia

Ship: Norwegian Jewel

$693 Interior/$893 Oceanview/$999 Balcony

Departure Date: Dec 22, 2023

Departure Port: Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand

Port of Call: Ko Samui (Koh Samui), Thailand • Nha Trang, Vietnam • Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam • Celukan Bawang, Bali, Indonesia • Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia • Benoa (Denpasar), Bali, Indonesia • Singapore, Republic Of Singapore

12 Night Vietnam & Thailand

Ship: Celebrity Solstice

$693 Interior/$893 Oceanview/$999 Balcony

Departure Date: December 10, 2023

Departure Port: Hong Kong, China

Ports of Call: Ha Long City (Hong Gai, Hanoi), Vietnam • Chan May (Danang/Hue), Vietnam • Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam • Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand • Ko Samui (Koh Samui), Thailand • Singapore, Republic Of Singapore

10 Night Thailand & Vietnam

Ship: Diamond Princess

$549 Interior/$579 Oceanview

Departure Date: December 26, 2023

Roundtrip from: Singapore, Republic Of Singapore

Ports of Call: Chan May (Danang/Hue), Vietnam • Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam • Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand • Ko Samui (Koh Samui), Thailand

14 Night Far East Discovery Holiday

Ship: Westerdam

$849 Interior/$949 Oceanview/$1,349 Balcony

Departure Date: December 23, 2023

Departure Port: Singapore, Republic Of Singapore

Ports of Call: Ko Samui (Koh Samui), Thailand • Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand • Sihanoukville, Cambodia • Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam • Nha Trang, Vietnam • Da Nang, Vietnam • Ha Long City (Hong Gai, Hanoi), Vietnam • Hong Kong, China

15 Night Southeast Asia & Japan

Ship: Diamond Princess

$999 Interior/$1,089 Oceanview/$1,299 Balcony

Departure Date: December 1, 2023

Departure Port: Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan

Port of Call: Toba, Japan • Kyoto (Osaka), Japan • Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan • Hong Kong, China • Chan May (Danang/Hue), Vietnam • Nha Trang, Vietnam • Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam • Singapore, Republic Of Singapore

December 2023 Cruises to Europe/Mediterranean

It is very common to cruise in Europe because of the many different itineraries there is available. Cruises offer travelers a new and simultaneously old view of Europe and the Mediterranean's most iconic ports of call. Those who love to cruise the Mediterranean recognize the diversity of the countries and the ports of call, but the vast history, art, and breadth of knowledge coming from this region of the world are mind-boggling. All of these factors make the Mediterranean Sea a marvelous cruise destination! Twenty-three countries spanning three continents surround the Mediterranean. Some countries like Italy, Greece, Spain, France, and Turkey have many ports of call. Others like Croatia, Slovenia, and Morocco are just discovering what cruise tourism can do to help their economies. Check out some of them below.

7 Night Mediterranean- Western Cruise

Ship: MSC Cruises

$349 Inside Cabin/$459 Outside Cabin/$569 Balcony 

Departure Date: December 2, 2023

Round Trip from: Barcelona, Spain,

Marseille (Provence), France • Genoa (Portofino) Italy • La Spezia (Cinque Terre), Italy • Naples (Pompeii) Italy • Palma de Mallorca (Baleari is.), Spain

6 Night Western Mediterranean

Ship: MSC Poesia

$219 Interior/$389 Outside Cabin/$569 Balcony

Departure Date: December 20, 2023

Departure Port: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy  

Port of Call: Genoa (Portofino), Italy • Marseille (Provence), France • Barcelona, Spain • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

12 Night Canaries Morocco & Spain

Ship: Celebrity Infinity

$599 Interior/$879 Oceanview/$999 Balcony

Departure Date: December 9, 2023

Roundtrip: from Barcelona, Spain

Ports of Call: Lanzarote, Canary Islands • Fuerteventura, Canary Islands • Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands • Casablanca, Morocco • Tangier, Morocco • Cadiz (Seville), Spain • Valencia, Spain

12 Night Atlantic Coast Adventure

Ship: Queen Victoria

$999 Interior & Oceanview/$1,199 Balcony

Departure Date: December 11, 2023

Roundtrip: from Southampton (London), England

Ports of Call: Cadiz (Seville), Spain • Malaga (Granada), Spain • Valencia, Spain • Lisbon, Portugal

December 2023 to the Caribbean

One of the unequivocally best cruise destinations is the Caribbean, a place that leads to visualizations of vast white beaches, slouching palm trees, and turquoise waters. With more than 700 islands, islets, and cays, the Caribbean offers saturated landscapes and crystalline coastlines along with a myriad of unique experiences, excursions, and cultures. There are three regions of the Caribbean: Western, Eastern and Southern. While some activities overlap in all three, each one embodies its own personality and provides visitors something truly special. The Western Caribbean consists of destinations due south of Florida, as well as ports in Mexico and Central America. You can visit Mexico (Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso), Belize, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Cuba. The Eastern Caribbean encompasses the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix), British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda), French West Indies (St. Maarten and St. Martin), and the Dominican Republic. The Southern Caribbean includes the French West Indies (Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Barts), St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, Antigua and St. Kitts/Nevis. 

5 Night Bahamas & Mexico

Ship: Celebrity Equinox

$811 Balcony

Departure Date: December 19, 2023

Roundtrip: from Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

Ports of Call: Cozumel, Mexico • Nassau, Bahamas

5 Night Western Caribbean

Ship: Voyager of the Seas

$418 Interior/$616 Oceanview/$672 Balcony

Departure Date: December 11, 2023

Roundtrip: from Galveston, Texas

Ports of Call: Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico • Cozumel, Mexico

14 Night Caribbean: Curacao Aruba & Barbados

Ship: Norwegian Jade

$649 Interior/$799 Oceanview/$1989 Balcony

Roundtrip: from Tampa, Florida

Ports of Call: Key West, Florida • Great Stirrup Cay (Cruiseline Private Island), Bahamas • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. • St. Johns, Antigua • Bridgetown, Barbados • St. George's, Grenada • Willemstad, Curacao • Oranjestad, Aruba • George Town, Grand Cayman

December 2023 Cruises for South America

Cruising from Argentina to Brazil offers a captivating blend of South American culture, natural beauty, and historic intrigue. Journey to vibrant cities, serene coastal towns, and lush rainforests for a unique perspective on two diverse countries. The largest countries in South America offer a huge amount of diversity and itineraries often focus on smaller, more manageable regions, although there is the fascinating opportunity offered by some to combine several shorter voyages to create an entire circumnavigation of South America. Much of the continent remains wild and untamed, which to the intrepid traveler can be both appealing and daunting. Travel overland is often difficult and time-consuming, which is one of the many reasons to consider visiting South America on a cruise ship.

16 Night South America Repositioning

Ship: Celebrity Eclipse

$693 Interior/$672 Oceanview/$882 Balcony

Departure Date: December 7, 2023

Departure Port: San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

Ports of Call: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico • Huatulco, Mexico • Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala • Manta, Ecuador • Callao (Lima), Peru • Pisco (Nazca Lines), Peru • Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile

16 Night Antarctica & South America

Ship: Norwegian Star

Interior $1,099/$1,329 Oceanview

Roundtrip: from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ports of Call: Montevideo, Uruguay • Puerto Madryn, Argentina • Punta Arenas, Chile • Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina • Cruise Paradise Harbor (Paradise Bay), Antarctica • Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica • Port Stanley, Falkland Islands • Punta Del Este, Uruguay

22-Night South America & Antarctica Holiday

Ship: Oosterdam

Interior $1,886/Oceanview $2,357/Balcony $3,239

Departure Date: December 16, 2023

Departure Port: Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Ports Of Call: Montevideo, Uruguay • Punta Del Este, Uruguay • Puerto Madryn, Argentina • Port Stanley, Falkland Islands • Antarctic Experience • Cruise Drake Passage • Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina • Cruise Glacier Alley • Cruise Beagle Channel • Punta Arenas, Chile • Cruise Strait Of Magellan • Cruise Amalia Glacier • Cruise Chilean Fjords • Puerto Chacabuco, Chile • Puerto Montt, Chile • San Antonio (Santiago), Chile

Why Cruise?

Cruises offer great value for your vacation dollar because the fares include nearly everything you'll need for a fantastic trip: food, accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment, and transportation between destinations. You can regularly find fares on mainstream cruise lines for under $100 per person, per night, which is astonishingly cheaper than you'd spend on land for a hotel, dinner, and a show. On a cruise, you unpack your bags only once and your floating hotel takes you from city to city or from island to island and there's no need to mess with bus, train, or ferry schedules-- or lug your suitcase along cobblestone streets. Cruise ships are like floating cities with everything you could possibly want or need onboard. Because cruise vacations package together transportation and accommodations, they're very easy to plan. Pick your ship, itinerary, and cabin, and away you go; no searching for hotels in your price range, no coordinating travel between cities. So for your next trip, consider taking a cruise, if possible.