What’s it like to spend Christmas on a cruise ship?

6,000 crackers, 5,280 mince pies and gallons of sparkling wine – what’s the big day on board really like? We spoke to customers who’ve tried it – and crunched the numbers.

Christmas Day on a beautifully decorated ocean cruise ship is like no other festive celebration. Think wonderful dining, good company – and none of the chores!

On cruises that incorporate the big day, Saga’s Spirit ships are decked out with Christmas trees, glistening garlands and baubles, and festivities start the moment guests step onboard.

Maureen Jasper, from Surrey, a member of our Britannia Club says: "Even walking up the gangway I feel the excitement and anticipation of boarding a tastefully decorated ship".

Maureen adds: "What I really I like is that it’s not all Hi-de-hi! Everyone can get into the spirit of Christmas in exactly the way they like. There’s an activities programme but, equally, if they want to relax and read in a quiet nook they can. At dinner we are asked if we want to be on a large table, a table for two or perhaps with all solos."

"There’s a lot of attention paid to this by the crew so I always feel at home. I also like the fact that for Christmas dinner everyone gets dressed up, lots of the men in dinner jackets and ladies in lovely dresses, and the captain and crew join guests for the cocktail evening before the dinner. It feels very special."

Fellow Britannia Club member Alex Williams, from Hertfordshire, agrees: "As soon as you walk on the ship there’s a lovely atmosphere and you immediately see the big Christmas tree in the atrium. The crew greet you and it’s so nice to hear them say ‘It’s lovely to have you back on board again’. The guests are excited and the crew are excited! There are often a lot of people on their own, like me, but nobody feels lost. I have got to know more and more people over the years so I get to meet friends and make new friends."

Sailing during the festive season is particularly special for Britannia Club guests Lynne and Roger Heathcote, from Hampshire, who married after meeting on a Saga Christmas cruise in 2010. Since then they have sailed on several festive sailings, including Scandinavia, where Lynne says the snow made the cruise feel "even more magical".

"Saga has Christmas down to a fine art," Lynne continues. "It’s exciting to see the decorations and over the following days we love the little extras from decorating the tree and cabin doors to the bowls of chocolates dotted around the ship. There’s stollen and mince pies with tea and extra festive surprises and gifts that appear in the cabin!"

Roger adds: "This year we will be on Spirit of Adventure’s Caribbean cruise and on our return we will share the countdown to 2026 with Spirit of Discovery in Funchal, Madeira, to watch a wonderful firework display."

Hotel Operations Director Horst Pint says that every Christmas the aim is to create the most special atmosphere they possibly can.

"Our guests absolutely love a traditional Christmas with turkey and all the trimmings, crackers, hats and very good wines," Pint says. "This year we will be serving some new premium wines as well as Hush Heath English sparkling rose. We also hope that Santa will make an appearance this year and a new pantomime, Cinderella, will add to the fun."

He adds: "An interdenominational Christmas service is held in the morning on Christmas Day and there is always the opportunity to watch the King’s Speech at 3pm."

An ocean cruise Christmas by numbers

Across both Spirit ocean ships the food and beverage team serve:

• 1,680 Christmas puddings (including vegan and gluten free)
• 5,280 mince pies
• 800kg turkey
• 120kg Brussels sprouts
• 400-plus bottles of English sparkling wine

The team also put up:

• 6 real trees – 2 x 12ft, 2 x 10ft and 2 x 6ft on each ship.
• And the guests pull: 6,000 crackers for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve (plus 1,000 crackers for the crew).

The Christmas experience on a river cruise

Saga’s three Spirit river cruise ships are based in the heart of Europe and Horst says, "We will create some exceptional dining experiences during these festive sailings."

A full programme of celebrations and festivities begin on Christmas Eve, the highlight being European menu including duck or goose. "On Christmas Day a traditional Christmas lunch is served," Horst explains.

Each ship is adorned with elegant decorations and guests can enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and join in the carol singing and games. Everyone spends Christmas Day on the ship while on other days they can join tours, choose to walk along the river paths or relax on board to soak up views of the river.

Horst said: "Being in European cities such as Vienna, Cologne and Nuremberg means guests can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Christmas markets and continue the festivities in the warmth of their ship."

How to start planning for Christmas 2026

Christmas 2026 on the ocean

Next year Saga’s ocean cruise guests can choose from a winter sun Christmas sailing or cruise into the crisp air of Scandinavia.

Christmas in the Canaries

17-night cruise on Spirit of Discovery, departs Portsmouth on 20 December 2026

The ship will moor in Lisbon on 23 December so guests can wander along the waterside to the grand square, Praca do Comercio, where a huge tree is decorated with thousands of lights. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spent at sea.

Festive Traditions of Scandinavia

16-night cruise on Spirit of Adventure, departs Portsmouth on December 22, 2026

After a call at the Bruges Christmas market, the ship will be at sea on Christmas Day. An overnight mooring in Oslo, Norway, on Boxing Day is perfect for a stroll around Vigeland Sculpture Park as well as seeing the Opera House, Nobel Peace Centre and City Hall near the waterfront.

Christmas 2026 on European rivers

In December 2026, Saga Cruises’ three boutique river ships will sail into the heart of Europe and each one will offer a 14-night itinerary, starting on 21December, to include Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Guests will spend a leisurely Christmas Day soaking up the festive atmosphere on board their ship while on other days there will be a choice of tours into villages, towns and cities along the river.

Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Rhine

14-night cruise on Spirit of Rhine, departs Mainz on December 21, 2026

This sailing on Spirit of the Rhine departs Mainz, Germany on 21 December 2026 and visits three more countries: France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Danube

14-night cruise on Spirit of Danube, on December 21, 2026

Spirit of the Danube’s sailing starts with an overnight stay in Vienna where guests can head to the Krippenmarkt, the December market, to browse stalls selling arts and crafts, jewellery, enamel and ceramics. Fly from Heathrow and Manchester on 21 December 2026.

Christmas and New Year on Spirit of the Moselle

14-night cruise on Spirit of Danube, on December 21, 2026

This cruise on Spirit of the Moselle starts in Nuremberg on 21 December 2026 with a visit to the city’s Christmas market, the Hauptmarkt.

All Saga cruises are inclusive and include all meals, drinks, tips, wifi and a shared chauffeur service to and from the port or airport.

Find out more about Christmas ocean and river cruises with Saga.