Take a small cruise for holidays in 2025

Ah, holidays. The best time of the year…try something new!

Have you considered skipping holiday stress and doing something different this year? Maybe enjoy the break and welcome the end of the year and spend time with the people you are closest to – without all the noise and pressure. If you're ready for a different holiday, a small cruise may be just a ticket.

Rather than busy planning and kitchen time, imagine yourself on the water, which allows you to relax easily, festive meals and celebrations without putting in some effort.

Small cruises offer a special holiday experience. There are a handful of passengers on board, which are more like a floating boutique hotel than a city at sea. You will visit famous destinations, where they are adorned with them in all their costumes – the twinkling holiday lights at night and the joyful revelry of local traditions singing in the air. You will get to know the crew and your travelers very quickly, so this will be a journey between friends.

Are you ready to find the holiday cruise you dream of? Here are the best small holiday tours of 2025.

Best Holiday Cruise in 2025

Holiday cruise magic in Swiss Alps and Rhine Castle

This magical Rhine cruise from Basel to Amsterdam is a journey, like stepping into a snowball. You will wander the Story Book Streets of Strasbourg in the Alsace region of France and then comfortably enjoy the charm of the German holiday traditions – Sip hangs out on the medieval market square in Rüdesheim, admires the twinkling lights of Cologne, and explores Heidelberg cobbled Lanes of Heidelberg of Heidelberg in Winter.

You will pass through the legendary Rhine Canyon where more than 40 castles rise up to the river like sentinels this season. As you arrive in Amsterdam, wander along the festival canals, past gable buildings are wrapped in their own winter glow. With four countries, the perfect landscape of postcards and many old world holiday magic, this festive joy cruise is everything you love about the holidays – wrapped in an unforgettable voyage.

Navigate the sunny ocean of Florida on a Gulf Coast cruise

If you are looking for a holiday warm weather, a small boat festival cruise along the Florida Gulf Coast and around the keys may be what you need. Starting from Tampa Bay, this itinerary offers a relaxing and scenic way to celebrate the season. The ship will be decorated in holiday decor, with seasonal cuisine scattered on the tables, the nights are filled with festive music and days of special programs that bring the holiday spirit to life without the pressure of planning for themselves.

As you sail from one sunny destination to another, you will explore the mangroves of Marco Island, the vibrant Key West, the charming streets of Punta Gorda and the artistic atmosphere of St. Petersburg. You will stroll through historic coastal communities and encounter dolphins and sea turtles. The Florida parade is both low-key and memorable, and it’s the ideal way to trade snow for sunshine without missing out on holiday cheer.

The Edge of the World: Antarctic Tour on Holiday

If you are ready to shake your holiday routine, consider driving south. Small boat expeditions, different from others, offer a holiday. You will find yourself surrounded by towering icebergs, playful penguins, and the vast, untouched beauty of the White Continent, rather than crowded shops and busy streets.

Take a sleek luxury yacht with less than 200 guests and enjoy a comfortable mix of adventure and relaxation. Festive meals like the festival’s traditions and warm decor are meticulously woven and memorable in expert-led negotiations and wildlife tours. The daily twelve zodiac landing points bring you closer to the magnificent landscape, and if you feel brave, there will be a polar plunge.

For many, this is the ultimate holiday gift: the opportunity to explore one of the most remote places on the planet with stories that will never be forgotten.

Holiday cruise in Lower Mississippi: Orleans and the Charm of the South

The South is known for its warm hospitality and long history, which is perfect for a relaxing holiday resort. You will explore the grand old estates, visit important Civil War landmarks, and then walk along the streets of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where French influence remains deep. On board and on the shore, you will enjoy local live music including jazz, blues and gospels, and enjoy regional cuisine favorites such as Gumbo, Jambalaya and Fresh Beignets. The holidays here are all about delicious food, good music and good company. As the local Cajuns said, Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler – Let the good times roll.

Basel Christmas Market

Visit the European Christmas Market on a Rhine Parade

The Rhine Parade during the holidays is like entering the pages of a classic Christmas story. You will experience centuries-old traditions on the festival town square and on paved streets with cobbled market stalls. In Basel, you can browse handmade ornaments and desserts. In Strasbourg, follow the scent of the spiced Vin Chaud to the tree in Kléber Place. In Koblenz, watching the Baroque Town Hall light up in the identity of a huge advent calendar, in Cologne, the holiday treasures are found in the shadow of its world-famous cathedral.

On board, the festive cheer continues – after every day adventure, fences, seasonal snacks and cozy comfort await you. You will wander among medieval towns, illuminated by flashing lights, unable to hear brass bands playing yells in candlelight squares, and like a whole year of delicacies like fresh gingerbread and dishes. This is a happy combination of history, culture and holiday celebrations that you will not forget.

Photos of Efrain Alfonso, Mexico

Participate in Baja California Holiday Tour

Bring your holiday traditions to Baja, California and celebrate in the real wilderness. Thanks to Jacques Cousteau, the Bay of California is known as the “World Aquarium” and is a UNESCO marine heritage site filled with incredible wildlife. From large amounts of dolphin pods to blue and humpback whales, this is one of the best places to close marine mammals during the holidays.

On this adventure cruise you will explore kayaking, hiking quiet beaches and snorkeling desert coastlines and snorkeling beside playful sea lions. You will enjoy the amazing Baja sunsets during the festival celebrations and visit San Pedro Mártir Island to watch sea lions hang out and dolphins gather in the sea. There is even a chance to visit Santa Rosalía, a historic mining town with wooden houses and a steel church designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Families will particularly enjoy the National Geographic Explorer Training Program, where children and teenagers learn about the unique wildlife and plant life in the region. With flexible routes designed to maximize wildlife sightings, your vacation cruise along this extraordinary part of the world is sure to be memorable.

Explore Montevide Cloud Forest and Arenal Volcano on a cruise to Costa Rica and Panama

This trip from Puerto Rico Crater in Costa Rica to Cologne in Panama is certainly an unparalleled vacation experience. You will traverse the lush cloud forest, stare over the inhabited volcanoes, and explore unspoiled beauty by hiking, snorkeling or kayaking. You will hike inland to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve in Costa Rica and experience the magic of nocturnal animals and night walks in the private Curi-Cancha reserve. Whether you’re an exciting thrill seeker with a heartbreaking zipline or a leisure-seeking seeker who wants to enjoy the breathtaking views at a slower pace.

For this holiday voyage, the boat is beautifully decorated and the menu features all your holiday favorites like Christmas pudding egg soufflé or putherted meals for lobster tails. There is also a lot of fun from holiday trivia and movies to New Year’s Eve deck parties and Christmas afternoon tea. A relaxing atmosphere ensures you enjoy the season without having to cook, clean or fuss. When others are tied to the snow, you will soak up the sun on tropical beaches, hiking cloud forests or exploring beautiful destinations. It's a holiday adventure to remember – even an annual repetition.

Virgin Islands Cruise: Enjoy the Left Islands Celebration

Sailing between San Thomas and San Juan through the Lectuary Islands. You will start in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a fascinating history, beautiful beaches, fantastic golf courses, and incredible shopping options.

From there, you will explore the US Virgin Islands and the French West Indies and visit St. John's Cruz Bay for snorkeling and diving to dive on the calm sandy beaches. You will explore the lush island of Nevis and its charming capital, Charlestown, before spending the night in the upscale Caribbean Hotpot in St. Barths. You will also enjoy time on the Pear, a tranquil national park island surrounded by coral reefs and explore the Spanish town of Virgin Golda, as well as the hidden bays and caves of Norman. The tour ends in the historic San Juan, giving you the opportunity to absorb local culture or expand your holiday adventure – how do you resist?

Why celebrate the holidays on a small boat?

The biggest reason? Less pressure. You can travel, celebrate and relax in one go. The crew handles meals and plans. You have a new horizon every day to slow down and enjoy the season. And because the boats are smaller, everything will be more personal – no grazing, no waiting, no large crowds.

You can also get holiday traditional front seats in other parts of the world. Whether it’s Christmas markets in Germany, New Year’s beach celebrations in Baja, or the quiet sunset in the Florida keys, you’ll experience what you’re with long since the decorations come down.

Tips for booking a 2025 holiday cruise

• Book early – Holiday cruises are fast, especially smaller boats.
• Know what is included – Some lines are all inclusive, and some lines are used separately for drinks, tours or rewards.
• Choose your style – adventure, river, coastal or yacht? Warm weather or winter scene? Choose the feel that suits your holiday atmosphere.
• Ask for extras on the festival – some tours include tree lighting rituals, special menus, local events, and even odes from the boat.

This year's holiday, embarked on a small boat cruise

If you are ready to make your holiday feel new again, this may be the best time to try a small cruise. Whether you are traveling with your family, partner, or traveling alone, there is a festive voyage waiting for you in 2025. Leave the pressure and busy this year and drive away…you will be glad you did.

Let us help you find the right boat and destination. You can start planning your vacation escape now. Please call 800-578-1479.