Christmas with Marella Cruises: the where & what of festive sailings
Marella Christmas cruises offer a splendid way to escape the winter freeze and head for warmer climes, plus festive merriment without any of the seasonal hassle.
Marella Cruises* is one of many lines offering sailings over the festive season, but it also boasts a fully all-inclusive trip (flights, food, drink and more) twinned with superb value for money. Swap chilblains for chilling on the beach, sleet for sunning yourself with a cocktail, and family squabbles for family fun.
After all, it's hard to be a grinch in paradise: Marella's Christmas getaways whisk you away to sun, sea and sand across both the Caribbean and Canaries. There's no shortage of cheer, either; Marella goes all out with Christmas jollity (yes, with Santa and everything).
Let's find out why a Marella Christmas cruise* is as ideal for you this winter as mulled wine and mince pies, as well as the amazing destinations you can uncover en route without ever stuffing a turkey or arguing about Boxing Day walk timings.
Does Marella celebrate Christmas?
Short answer, yes. Marella Cruises sails throughout December with dedicated Christmas and New Year itineraries* across the Caribbean* and Canary Islands*.
These festive cruises combine winter sun with traditional celebrations onboard, offering an easy way to enjoy the season without lifting a finger in the kitchen. Whether you want to toast the big day at sea or ring in the New Year on deck with fireworks, there's an itinerary to suit.
What's more, some cruises are adults-only (such as Marella Explorer 2*, which caters to over-18s only), while others are family-friendly (with Cruise & Stay* options also available), so remember to check which holiday type you're booking!
When can you sail?
Festive sailings vary from seven to 14 nights, and will start from 2 December 2025, continuing throughout the month. In 2025, there will be 10 Marella Cruises itineraries sailing over Christmas Day itself, the earliest departing on 18 December 2025. New Year cruises then enter the field, well, the ocean, from 26 December 2025.
Where can you sail to?
Marella's December cruises take you to warm-weather destinations across the Caribbean and Canary Islands. Please note, Marella's eastern and western Mediterranean cruises do not operate in winter.
- Fuerteventura
- Gran Canaria
- La Palma
- Lanzarote
- Tenerife
- Madeira - addition to the Canary itineraries
Over in the Caribbean, itineraries call at a mixture of the following destinations throughout the winter 2025/26 season:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Puerto Rico
- St Kitts & Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent & the Grenadines
- Sint Maarten
- Trinidad & Tobago
- US Virgin Islands
Top Marella Christmas itineraries
Whether you settle on a cruise in the Canaries or Caribbean, there's an itinerary for you. Some of our favourite sailings for 2025/2026 include:
- A Canarian Christmas*, visiting Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira & La Palma
- Paradise Islands* from Barbados, visiting Dominica, Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten, the British Virgin Islands & back to Barbados
- Tropical Isles* from Barbados, visiting Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Grenada, Tobago & St Vincent
- Cocktails and Coconuts* or Colours of the Caribbean*, round-tripping from Bridgetown or La Romana with visits to Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica & Samaná
- Island Explorer* & Exotic Islands*, exploring Canary hotspots plus Madeira & the southern Caribbean, respectively
- A New Year's Dream* with seven-night round-trips in the Canary Islands & Madeira, including fireworks & onboard celebrations to welcome in 2026.
How much does a Christmas cruise cost?
Prices for December 2025 start from £855 per person^ for a seven-night, all-inclusive sailing around the Canaries and Madeira, including flights, with longer cruises such as the 14-night Caribbean jaunt Journey to Tropical Shores* starting from £1,472pp^.
The most expensive sailings are those that cover both Christmas and New Year, especially Caribbean cruises departing just before or on Christmas Day. For example, double-up holiday Exotic Islands* followed by Cocktails and Coconuts*, leaving 25 December 2025, is the priciest, starting from £2,658 per person^. Prices generally include:
- return flights from UK airports
- all tips & service charges
- all-inclusive drinks
- low deposits (from £125 per person)
^ prices correct at the time of writing
What's Christmas like on board?
Santa will definitely know where you are in the world, don't worry. Marella leans into festive celebrations on board by the sleigh-load. Expect Christmas trees, twinkling decorations and plenty of turkey with all the trimmings.
There's a carol service on Christmas Eve (complete with mulled wine), a morning service on the Big Day, festive film nights in the onboard cinema (yes, Home Alone makes an appearance), and gingerbread house displays to rival the witch's in Hansel and Gretel.
There's also a special gala dinner on Christmas Day, no table laying or washing up required, with menus that cater to all dietary requirements. On New Year's Eve, guests can toast the countdown with champagne and fireworks on deck. Cheers!
Marella makes the Love Actually/The Snowman/Die Hard (insert movie of choice) season feel special without being over-the-top. For adults, there's a relaxed, sociable vibe with holiday entertainment, yuletide cocktails and themed evenings.
Families are well catered for too, with a visit from Father Christmas in the onboard grotto, captain's story time for children, Christmas-themed kids' club activities and even a nativity play hosted by the M Club.
You're encouraged to dress up for festive evenings, but the atmosphere stays casual and holiday-ready, think sparkles, not stiff formality. There's even a handy app that will keep you on top of celebration logistics.
The only thing Marella can't do is sort out presents for loved ones, but with so many incredible destinations on the menu, Christmas shopping has never been more wow-where-did-you-find-this? simple. And if you want to forgo gifts completely, being out at sea has to be a great excuse.
Ready for a festive cruise? See the latest online offers on itineraries with Marella Cruises.
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