Where can you cruise in the winter? Lots of places! Many of which offer perfect weather and wildlife opportunities during the North American winter. To help your 2024 and 2025 winter vacation planning, here are the best winter cruise destinations and our top picks for the ultimate winter cruise vacation.
IN THIS POST – Best Winter Cruises:
Holiday Cruises
Winter Cruises 2024 & 2025
– Galapagos
– Baja
– Caribbean
– Hawaii
– South Pacific
– Indonesia
– Antarctica
Holiday Cruises 2024
2024 Christmas Cruises
Rockin’ around the palm trees this Christmas? Why not! Forget the frosty weather and head to sunnier shores for a holiday season full of adventure. Swap your snow boots for flip-flops and go searching for turtles, whales, dolphins, sealions and other marine life in Baja, Hawaii or Galapagos. The following itineraries make the perfect last minute holiday cruise.
- Baja: In Steinbeck’s Wake – Dec 18-28, 2024
- Hawaii: Hawaiian Seascapes – Dec 21- Dec 28, 2024 & Dec 28-Jan 4, 2025
- Galapagos: Darwin’s Galapagos Discoveries – Dec 19-26, 2024
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Winter Cruises 2024 – 2025
Just like some whales and other wildlife, many small cruise ships also migrate south for the winter. Find a tropical paradise, a remote archipelago, or your very own version of a winter snow globe. Winter cruises can be the perfect remedy to any seasonal blues.
Galapagos Winter Cruises
Located along the equator, the Galapagos Islands’ subtropical climate means the best warm weather cruises all year round. But travel during December–May is especially popular because it coincides with holiday breaks and the Galapagos warm season. The overcast garua fog has disappeared so you can enjoy blue skies and sunshine, the highest air and water temperatures, and calm ocean conditions with excellent underwater visibility for incredible snorkeling.
HOLIDAY & CHRISTMAS
VACATION IN GALAPAGOS
See what’s available
This winter’s standout Galapagos cruises:
- Endemic or Elite Galapagos cruise: Both offer rare and unique 6-day itineraries aboard fresh and newly appointed 16-guest catamarans featuring all suites with private balconies. Read firsthand insights in our Expert Aboard.
- Origin, Theory & Evolve: These prestigious sister ships are like floating five-star boutique hotels and the only Relais & Chateaux-affiliated yachts sailing the Galapagos.
- Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruises: This 90-guest ship was given a beautiful renovation in 2021, and with ample space on five decks, glass-bottom boats, and uniquely low guest-to-guide ratio – it’s a great option for families.
Baja Winter Cruises
The North American winter is the best time to visit Baja. Pleasant weather for all sorts of activities, thousands of migratory whales, and a third of the planet’s marine mammals all wait to be discovered. Safe to say that all you have to do is get to Baja, then the wildlife will come to you.
- Active & All-Inclusive: Put away your wallet till it’s time to disembark. Baja California’s Whales & Sealife cruise includes all food and snacks; unlimited beer, wine, spirits and mocktails; every excursion; all adventure equipment and expert guides. Plus, it’s the most active cruise you will find in the region.
- Smallest: For the most intimate Baja cruise, get aboard the historic 8-guest Westward (who just celebrated her 100 year birthday) on her Voyages in the Sea of Cortez. Her cruises walk the perfect line of relaxation and adventure, and are known for the gourmet food cooked fresh from locally sourced ingredients and onboard rooftop garden.
- Engaging & Academic: National Geographic’s comprehensive Among the Great Whales cruise explores both Baja coastlines, offers 40+ years of expertise and up-close encounters with migrating gray whales in Magdalena Bay.
Caribbean Winter Cruises
An always appealing winter cruise destination—the Caribbean is known for its crystal blue waters, gorgeous beaches, tropical climate, and easy-going island cultures. But this winter, we invite you to go beyond the mainstream resorts and megaships that are restricted to busy, overdeveloped port towns. A winter cruise in the Caribbean Sea will visit the region’s most remote islands, hidden bays and coastline that big ships can’t reach; revealing a tropical adventure with unique history and a variety of cultures.
- National Geographic: For an educational expedition that focuses on a deeper connection with the region’s wildlife and culture, choose a Nat Geo route that travels solely in Costa Rica, Wild Costa Rica Escape, or the brand-new Panama only itinerary Panama Canal, Pearl Islands & Darién Jungle.
- Smallest:
- Grab 2-10 friends or family members and book an exclusive Belize catamaran charter cruise. You can read firsthand insights on the experience in this expert review.
- Check out the newest (and smallest) addition to our lineup exploring Costa Rica’s less visited coastline: the 18-guest Kontiki Wayra catamaran cruise. It’s family-friendly, available for charter, and we’ve been aboard.
- Luxury: Enjoy white-glove service among enchanting Caribbean islands or Panama and Costa Rica aboard aboard two 184-guest sister ships. Both the Pearls of the Caribbean Cruise and Secrets of Central America also offer a departure with onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts who host talks on topics in their field.
Indonesia Winter Cruises
October through February is the sailing season for Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Spice Islands. And you might not need any more reasons to visit Raja Ampat after looking at pictures of the dramatic limestone formations that shoot up from crystal blue waters. Made up of over 1,500 islands, the archipelago is known to harbor one of the richest coral reef ecosystems, a wide array of marine life, and the best dive and snorkel sites on Earth.
Go further off-the-beaten-path to the Spice Islands, a remote and unspoiled hidden gem with friendly villagers, rich culture, and a long, fascinating and turbulent history. Check out our top picks:
- Sailing Indonesia: Jewels of Raja Ampat & Sailing Indonesia: The Spice Islands:
Passage is aboard the 24-guest sailing vessel Ombak Putih or 12-passenger ketch Katharina; traditional pinisi-style ships that offer romance, Indonesian culture, rustic charm and superior service. Our experts have been aboard- read their firsthand insights. - Aqua Blu Ambon & Spice Islands & Aqua Blu Raja Ampat Cruise:
Sail aboard the 30-guest, all-suite, luxury yacht Aqua Blu that offers 5-star Indonesian cuisine with menus developed by a world-renowned chef.
Hawaii Winter Cruises
When searching for warm winter getaways in the U.S., Hawaii no doubt comes to mind. And you’ve likely seen Hawaii before, but we doubt you’ve seen Hawaii this way. Diverge from the traditional tourist options for an off-the-beaten-path island experience this winter. The unique 4-island Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary explores Hawaii’s untouched, remote lands and rich traditions via small ship. This intimate, authentic and active small ship cruise offers a new spin on Aloha you’ve been searching for.
South Pacific Winter Cruises
Baby, it’s cold outside. But not in the South Pacific. In this tropical region the water is always warm, the sun is shining, and average temperatures sit between 72˚F and 82˚F.
From the balmy deck of National Geographic Orion, cocktail in hand, take in the stunning tropical scenery of Fiji, Tahiti, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and more. Alongside a veteran expedition team, snorkel coral gardens teeming with turtles and tropical fish, hike through rainforests in search of rare wildlife, and share enriching moments with the people who live in these remote places.
Don’t miss the last chance to visit this untouched paradises and diverse cultures with Nat Geo. The sun is setting on these South Pacific itineraries and will not be offered after winter 2024-2025.
Antarctica Winter Cruises
Ok, hear us out – Why not embrace the cold? Besides, travel to Antarctica is only possible during North America’s winter, Antarctica’s austral summer. From November-March the days in Antarctica are longer, warmer (by Antarctic standards) and the wildlife is the most active.
Standout ships for the 2024 – 2025 Antarctic cruise season:
- Ultramarine: Sleek and modern with a fun atmosphere plus two onboard helicopters make this ship’s itineraries stand out. Each Ultramarine departure offers an included 10- to 15-minute flightseeing adventure (weather permitting), and a brand-new itinerary now adds additional and included helicopter-assisted activities. Read our firsthand ship review.
- Sister ships Greg Mortimer & Sylvia Earle: Ambassadors for conservation and the first ships with the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW®. These sister ships offer Antarctic voyages for adventure lovers with a range of active excursion options from easy to extreme. Read firsthand insights in our Greg Mortimer Expert Aboard, written by our founder and president who sailed aboard the ship in Antarctica.
- Ocean Explorer: Built in 2021 this modern ship with cutting-edge technology has an impressive expedition team-to-guest ratio of 1:6. Its remarkable two-story front windows flood the lounge with natural light and stunning views, and nearly every cabin offers a walkout balcony.
The best way to get the lowest price on this season is to speak with one of our Antarctica experts who can keep tabs on any deals that may pop up in the next few months.
WINTER IS AROUND THE CORNER
Contact us today for winter cruise advice, inspiration & expertise
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