Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Northern Europe cruises in December
Short Christmas market cruises link ports such as Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bruges, where mulled wine and lights warm the early dusk. Norway’s coast sails on through the polar night for aurora hunters. It’s cold everywhere and daylight is brief, but the festive mood is a genuine draw.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 39°F
- 6 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Europe in December: Shoulder season
Short Christmas market cruises link ports such as Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bruges, where mulled wine and lights warm the early dusk. Norway’s coast sails on through the polar night for aurora hunters. It’s cold everywhere and daylight is brief, but the festive mood is a genuine draw.
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, December brings average highs around 39°F (4°C) and lows near 33°F, with about 5.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 6 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- May to September for most lines; Norway’s coast year-round, with northern lights voyages in winter
- Average high / low
- 39°F / 33°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 5.3 in
- Daylight
- About 6 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights for Norway; 9–14 for the Baltic and British Isles; 12–16 with Iceland
What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Northern Europe weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 362 | 383 | 415 | 468 | 5513 | 6217 | 6619 | 6619 | 6016 | 5111 | 436 | 394 |
| Low °F (°C) | 29-1 | 30-1 | 320 | 362 | 446 | 5111 | 5513 | 5513 | 5110 | 436 | 373 | 330 |
| Rain in (mm) | 5.0126 | 4.3108 | 3.9100 | 2.973 | 2.975 | 3.383 | 3.998 | 4.5113 | 4.4112 | 5.0127 | 4.5114 | 5.3134 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geiranger | 36°F | 27°F | 11.2 in | 5 h |
| Flåm | 36°F | 28°F | 8.2 in | 6 h |
| Bergen | 38°F | 33°F | 13.7 in | 6 h |
| Stockholm | 34°F | 28°F | 2.1 in | 6 h |
| Copenhagen | 41°F | 36°F | 2.5 in | 7 h |
| Tallinn | 34°F | 29°F | 2.3 in | 6 h |
| Helsinki | 35°F | 31°F | 2.6 in | 6 h |
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 45°F | 39°F | 3.6 in | 7 h |
| Dublin | 49°F | 43°F | 4.9 in | 8 h |
| Reykjavík | 35°F | 29°F | 5.6 in | 4 h |
| Honningsvåg (for the North Cape) | 33°F | 28°F | 2.9 in | 0 h |
| Southampton (London) | 49°F | 41°F | 3.7 in | 8 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Northern Europe in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Northern Europe?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. Short Christmas market cruises link ports such as Hamburg, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bruges, where mulled wine and lights warm the early dusk. Norway’s coast sails on through the polar night for aurora hunters. It’s cold everywhere and daylight is brief, but the festive mood is a genuine draw.
What is the weather like on a Northern Europe cruise in December?
Across Northern Europe cruise ports, December brings average highs around 39°F (4°C) and lows near 33°F, with about 5.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 6 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Northern Europe cruise in December?
Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Northern Europe?
May to September for most lines; Norway’s coast year-round, with northern lights voyages in winter. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.