Christmas Family Cruises: 5 Warm-Weather Destinations for the Holidays

What Families Can Expect on a Christmas Cruise

Taking a getaway to somewhere warmer feels magical on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Ships are decked out in decorations and lights, and sparkling Christmas trees fill each deck with a twinkling glow. Plus, there are plenty of holiday-themed activities to enjoy, including tree lighting ceremonies, festive entertainment, holiday parties and joy-filled youth programming schedules that make vacationing feel merry and bright. 

When you’re ready for something to eat, savor classic holiday menus in the main dining room on Christmas Eve, or taste-test exclusives at your favorite specialty restaurants.

Christmas Cruise Holidays: An Overview

After a hectic year of homework and school projects, carpooling to soccer games or dance recitals and feeling like you don't have time to just relax with your family, sometimes the best thing you can do is buck your holiday traditions, pack your bags and take the whole family on a cruise. Not having to worry about a turkey dinner or the perfect Christmas tree will give you more quality time to spend with everyone.

Christmas vacation cruises are available from Royal Caribbean, offering themed holiday activities and attractions alongside both traditional and contemporary holiday services. Special feasts, carols, tree lighting events and more make these voyages unique and festive. Destinations include many warm-weather ports in the Caribbean and beyond.

Want to bring along the grandparents, in-laws or extended family? No need to worry about stashing Uncle Earl on the basement couch this holiday season — everyone can be comfortable in the privacy of their own stateroom. Cruise ships have something for everyone, including multigenerational activities. From the kids' clubs to holiday movie nights and story time to competitive rounds of musical trivia, your family will truly be together.

5 Best Christmas Holiday Destinations

While a cruise vacation is very much about the journey as much as the destination, discovering a gorgeous new place is a wonderful way to spend your holiday vacation as a family. The list of Christmas cruise destinations includes a variety of warm-weather ports that will draw a real contrast with the snowy weather farther north.

Whether your crew wants to splash at the beach, explore colorful historic streets, try local foods or simply spend time together in the sun, these Christmas cruise destinations can make the holiday feel extra special:

1. Nassau, The Bahamas

Nassau, capital of The Bahamas, is a family-friendly destination that combines beach time, colorful culture and plenty of opportunities to explore together. Spend the day relaxing by the water, wandering through the lively downtown or choosing an excursion that gives every member of the family something to look forward to. If your ship is in Nassau around Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, you may catch the Junkanoo Festival. This colorful celebration brings music, dancing and celebrations to the streets, giving families a chance to experience a distinctly Bahamian holiday tradition. A visit to Royal Beach Club℠ Paradise Island can add a little luxury to the celebrations, too; just remember to purchase a day pass. 

2. Falmouth, Jamaica

Jamaica is renowned the world over for its laid-back atmosphere and peerless cultural exports like reggae, ska and dancehall music. Spending Christmas in Jamaica with your loved ones is a way to bring a little slice of paradise to the holidays. Whether you like your holidays solemn or raucous, Jamaica's the perfect place to celebrate: The country is said to have the most churches and rum bars per square mile.

There are so many fun ways families can spend a day in Jamaica. You can ride horses down a secluded beach, explore the historic Good Hope Estate, tube down a river or simply enjoy dancing along to a local band. While you're doing all these things, you can imagine the chilly December weather farther north and know that you made a great choice.

3. San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan can make the holidays feel especially jolly for families, with the hue-filled streets of Old San Juan creating a festive backdrop for exploring together. Walk past centuries-old architecture, discover local culture and take in the energy of a city that knows how to celebrate the season. 

Puerto Rico has an added attraction for American travelers: It's a U.S. territory, so you don't need a passport to go there from the States. (Check your full itinerary’s travel document requirements to find out the specifics.) Your holidays in warm and sunny San Juan are easy to slot into your travel itinerary.

4. Ensenada, Mexico

Ensenada offers families a mix of food, natural beauty and outdoor activities, making it a fun choice for a holiday cruise with different ages and interests in mind. You can spend your day sampling local flavors, perusing local shops or getting out into the surrounding landscapes as a crew.

For families looking for adventure, excursions can include walking the Cañón de Doña Petra trail or seeing La Bufadora, a majestic marine geyser. Whether your idea of holiday fun involves a relaxed meal or an unforgettable outdoor experience, Ensenada offers plenty of ways to make memories as a family. It also has milder weather, with December highs typically in the 60s °F.

5. Perfect Day CocoCay, The Bahamas

If you're looking for one holiday destination that will make everyone back home feel truly envious, you can't beat the experience of Perfect Day CocoCay. This island paradise nestled in The Bahamas offers seven beaches, five pools and 14 waterslides to splash around in, then nine dining spots and 20 bars where you can cool off afterwards.

If you're thinking of starting a new holiday tradition this year, what could be better than a trip to an island paradise? Spending time under the Bahamian sun is a way to let the old year's troubles melt away as you set yourself up for a great year ahead. Your family can open presents poolside or, if you prefer experiences to things, the trip can be the present.

Bring Your Family Traditions on Your Vacation

If you can't imagine celebrating Hanukkah without a special family meal, or Christmas vacation without homemade cookies or that enchanting holiday theater production, you don't have to! Many sailings include favorite activities already planned for you on board, and in some cases, it's even more fun than doing it at home. Kids can go caroling, be wowed by the holiday parade and even meet Santa Claus himself. And parents will enjoy romantic holiday concerts, cozy movie nights and watching the kids make new memories. Check your sailing for specific activities and offerings.

Want to amp up the holiday fun? You should bring along anything that will make the holidays a little merrier away from home. Pack a set of family holiday PJs and have an onboard photographer snap your picture, or decorate your stateroom door with a festive wreath. Or, load your tablet with your favorite holiday movies and books so you can snuggle up before bed for story time.

Start New Holiday Travel Traditions

Gazing at a palm tree wrapped with red and green lights while a steel pan version of your favorite seasonal tune plays and your kids build a "snowman" out of beach sand is a wonderful and unique way to experience the holidays. 

Here are some fun ideas to incorporate into your new family traveling tradition: 

• Choose or make an ornament inspired by each destination you visit, then decorate your tree with memories from your family travels when you return home.

• Try a traditional dessert or seasonal specialty in each destination and give it a spot in your family’s unofficial holiday dessert rankings.

• Make a family holiday playlist for every cruise by adding a few songs that remind you of the trip, from a maracas-filled tune to classic Christmas carols.

• Bring along a small elf, reindeer or other festive character and take turns hiding it somewhere in your stateroom for the next family member to find.

However you choose to incorporate fun and festivity during the most wonderful time of the year, Royal Caribbean makes it easy, with access to tons of holiday-focused additions. 

Spend Time on a Cruise Together as a Family

Some families prefer experiences over tangible gifts. For them, the cruise is the present, and the greatest gift is the time spent together. Rethinking the idea of gift-giving is another way of creating your own traditions and memories, and it can also mean one less thing to stress over.

Of course, you don't have to give up presents if that's something your family cherishes. If that's you, bring along a few special presents to unwrap. Cozy up with a mug of coffee on your stateroom balcony while watching your kids open their gifts — or head to the beach in your Santa hat for some fun photos. You can even save some presents to unwrap back home for something to look forward to.

Give Everyone a Little Peace While on Vacation

Holidays are one of the most stressful times of the year for many people. Above all, the beauty of taking your family’s holiday celebrations on board a cruise ship is that everyone gets to enjoy some well-deserved relaxation. Kids can spend the day making new friends and playing holiday-themed games while the grandparents relax. Meanwhile, Mom or Dad can swap hours of house-cleaning, meal prep and last-minute shopping for a luxurious spa treatment followed by a glass of wine shared during a much-needed silent night. 

So, if your heart wants you to be spontaneous and book a family cruise this holiday season, go for it.

Planning Your Christmas Family Cruise

Holiday traveling is extra special, which means itineraries and excursions fill up quickly. It’s beneficial to book your Christmas cruise as soon as possible, even 12 to 18 months in advance, to secure your preferred cabins and experiences. This is especially true if your family needs connecting staterooms, extra space or accommodations closer together — like if you’re traveling with your extended family and want to be in the same area of the ship.

Once your cruise is booked, reserve must-do experiences, dining and popular shore excursions right away to help ensure your family’s holiday wish list doesn’t sell out before you arrive. 

Maximize Fun for Kids and Teens

Parents, if you’re hoping for some much-needed peace and quiet during your journey, there are age-based family programming and childcare options for your kiddos. Adventure Ocean® is a complimentary youth program that gives kids ages three to 12 a place to hang out, conduct science experiments, play games and experience hands-on fun. 

For your little ones, Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery provides age-appropriate activities and toys for ages six to 36 months, hosted by trained youth staff. This service is available on select ships at an hourly rate. 

Set Sail for a Holiday Adventure

New traditions and old traditions can exist side by side when you're on a holiday cruise. In the Caribbean and beyond, a cruise vacation is the perfect cure for the holiday blues and a great way to celebrate Christmas and other favorite holidays.

Explore Christmas cruises and start dreaming of a white-sand Christmas.