Temperatures may be set to drop in the UK, but there are plenty of winter sun hotspots around the world that are waiting to welcome you on a cruise.
Parts of the Mediterranean, as well as further afield in the Caribbean and Australian, will offer plenty of warmth in the coming months. Most cruise lines run itineraries between November and March, visiting top destinations such as the Bahamas, Tenerife, Dubai and Sydney.
You could escape the British rain during an October half-term sailing, visit Christmas markets on a river cruise or even celebrate the festive season and new year at sea.
There are some benefits to sailing during the winter. Cruise ships can be quieter in September and October, which is known as the shoulder season, as the summer period is over.
Options range from luxury cruises to family-friendly, all-inclusive sailings both on the ocean and on a range of rivers.
Here are some of the best cruise deals for some winter sun in 2026.
Read more: The best Caribbean cruises for winter 2026 getaways
The best winter sun cruises
P&O Cruises: Canary islands and Madeira
Tenerife – Madeira – Fuerteventura – La Palma – Tenerife – Gran Canaria – Lanzarote – Tenerife
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Start the new year in the warmer climes of the Canary Islands this January. You will begin your trip in the winter sun by departing from Tenerife aboard Azura with P&O Cruises for a fortnight in the Canary Islands sun.
Read more: Best cruise deals for 2026
Passengers can marvel at the varied landscapes across the itinerary, from the volcanic views of Lanzarote to the mountains of Madeira and the historic plazas of La Palma.
On board, guests can enjoy Azura’s open-air SeaScreen cinema or get active across its four pools, tennis and basketball courts.
The ship, which can fit 3,100 passengers, also has nine restaurants, including wine expert Olly Smith’s The Glass House and The Waterside, as well as the Indian-inspired Sindhu and The Epicurean specialty dining venues.
Departs 8 January 2027. From £1,129pp, return flights and transfers included
Celebrity Cruises: Australia Wine
Sydney – Hobart – Kangaroo Island – Adelaide – Melbourne – Sydney
Raise a glass to the Australian summer with wine-themed cruise that sails for nine nights aboard Celebrity Edge.
Departing from Sydney, this Celebrity Cruises itinerary includes stops to explore vineyards across the Australian coast, including Hobart and Adelaide.
Onboard, passengers can choose from nine restaurants and bars, three pools and a nightclub, as well as enjoying food and drink in the famous Magic Carpet raised platform that moves up and down the side of the ship.
Departs 12 December 2026. From £1,1516pp.
TUI: Legends of the Nile
Luxor – Edfu - Kom Ombo – Aswan – Luxor
Relax in the heat and history of Egypt during a Nile river cruise.
Sailing on TUI’s newest river cruise ship in the region, TUI Bahareya, onboard Egyptologists will explain the legends of the Nile.
Departing from Luxor after a couple of days exploring the city, the cruise includes two shore experiences in the Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
All onboard food and drink is included and you will be able to watch the scenery float by from the top deck pool and bar.
Departs 9 February 2027 From £1,418pp, flights included.
Read more: The best Marella ships and Tui cruise deals
MSC Cruises: Caribbean
Miami – Puerto Plata,– San Juan – Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – Miami
Enjoy one of the newest ships in the MSC Cruises’ fleet, MSC World America in the sunny surroundings of the Caribbean. Departing from Miami, you will soon be relaxing on the beaches of Puerto Plata or discovering its ancient city walls before drinking the local coffee and rum in San Juan’s old town.
The seven-night itinerary also includes a trip to MSC Cruises’ private Ocean Cay island in the Bahamas, where you can take part in watersports or just top up your tan before heading back to the cold at home.
Back on the ship, MSC World America has its own comedy club as well as a ropes course and a Cliffhanger swing that hangs over the side of the ship.
Departs 17 October 2026. From £379pp.
Royal Caribbean: Southern Caribbean & Perfect Day
Fort Lauderdale – Willemstad – Oranjestad – Perfect Day CocoCay – Fort Lauderdale
Enjoy guaranteed sun and sand on this eight-night Caribbean cruise. Sailing with Royal Caribbean its newest ship Legend of the Seas.
This voyage includes a stop on the brand’s private Caribbean island, full of private beaches and large pool areas, for a ‘PerfectDay CocoCay’ experience.
Read more: The best Royal Caribbean ships and cruises
Other destinations include Willemstad in Curaçao, where you can discover the colonial-era fortresses and try the island’s signature spirit Blue Curaçao.
On the ship, Legend of the Seas offers giant waterparks and slides, as well as 28 restaurants, more than 20 bars, and a more relaxed Central Park deck with its own greenery and shaded areas to have a break from the sun.
Departs 14 November 2026. From £1,286pp.
VIVA Cruises: Christmas Markets Spree
Düsseldorf – Bonn – Mainz – Coblenz – Düsseldorf
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A river cruise is an ideal way to explore a variety of Christmas markets across the European continent.
You can visit a different city each day, often stepping right off the ship and into the centre of the action.
Some of the best Christmas markets can be found along the Rhine in Germany, with rows of lights and festive stalls and cabins offering hot chocolate, mulled wine, candied almonds and bratwurst.
You can spend a few days sampling Germany’s most sparkling markets on VIVA One. Sailing across the Rhine from Dusseldorf, the ship stops each day in Bonn, Main and Coblenz.
Back on board, you can enjoy the Christmas lights from the indoor observation and lounge area, or escape the cold in the heated whirlpool on the sundeck.
Departs 18 December 2026. From £675pp.
Celestyal: Mediterranean Splendour
Lisbon– Tangier – Valencia – Palma – Sete – Barcelona
Celestyal, known for Greece-focused cruises, is debuting around the western Med this winter.
Sailing aboard mid-sized ship Celestyal Discovery, which caters for around 1,300 guests, you can start this seven-night winter sun cruise by sampling pastéis de natas in Lisbon before heading towards the exotic markets of Tangier in Morocco, ahead of sunny stops in the lively squares of Valencia and Palma. There is also a stop in the small French harbour town of Sète, known as the Venice of Languedoc,
Departs 12 December 2026. From £469pp.
Read more: The best cruise lines for solo travellers
Disney Destiny: Very Merrytime Cruise
Fort Lauderdale - Lookout Cay - Castaway Cay - Fort Lauderdale
Spend the festive season aboard Disney’s newest cruise ship, Disney Destiny.
You won’t have to worry about Christmas dinner or the cold as you sail around the Bahamas and visit Disney’s private island.
There will be chances to meet Mickey and the gang in their Christmas outfits, as well as to try web shooting sessions with SpiderMan. You can also see the Hercules stage show and enjoy an immersive Lion King-themed dinner.
The ship is heroes and villain themed, and is perfect for Marvel fans with a Doctor Strange bar called The Sanctum, and large Black Panther statue in the Grand Hall.
Departs 23 December 2026. From £1,970pp.
