Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Transatlantic cruises in December
A few late repositioning voyages finish in early December, and Cunard schedules holiday crossings in some years, with Christmas trees and festive entertainment on board. The North Atlantic is cold and stormy, so expect a lively ride on northern tracks. Holiday crossings are scarce and book up early.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 61°F
- 9 hrs daylight
Photo: Oceanhistory46, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic in December: Shoulder season
A few late repositioning voyages finish in early December, and Cunard schedules holiday crossings in some years, with Christmas trees and festive entertainment on board. The North Atlantic is cold and stormy, so expect a lively ride on northern tracks. Holiday crossings are scarce and book up early.
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, December brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 55°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 9 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.
- Average high / low
- 61°F / 55°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.1 in
- Daylight
- About 9 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights on Queen Mary 2; 12 to 16 nights for repositioning voyages
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: Good time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Transatlantic weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5915 | 6015 | 6217 | 6519 | 7021 | 7524 | 7926 | 7926 | 7625 | 7122 | 6519 | 6116 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5211 | 5211 | 5412 | 5714 | 6116 | 6619 | 7021 | 7122 | 6820 | 6418 | 5815 | 5513 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.872 | 2.462 | 2.564 | 2.563 | 2.769 | 2.974 | 2.358 | 2.770 | 3.487 | 3.793 | 3.282 | 3.179 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton (London) | 49°F | 41°F | 3.7 in | 8 h |
| New York City | 43°F | 30°F | 5.0 in | 9 h |
| Fort Lauderdale | 76°F | 72°F | 2.5 in | 11 h |
| Barcelona | 62°F | 46°F | 1.3 in | 9 h |
| Ponta Delgada, Azores | 64°F | 62°F | 3.1 in | 10 h |
| Funchal, Madeira | 68°F | 65°F | 2.0 in | 10 h |
| Tenerife | 71°F | 67°F | 1.2 in | 10 h |
| Lisbon | 62°F | 55°F | 2.6 in | 10 h |
| Reykjavík | 35°F | 29°F | 5.6 in | 4 h |
| Miami | 76°F | 72°F | 2.5 in | 11 h |
| Rome | 58°F | 51°F | 3.3 in | 9 h |
| King's Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) | 71°F | 67°F | 4.7 in | 10 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 →
Transatlantic in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Transatlantic?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. A few late repositioning voyages finish in early December, and Cunard schedules holiday crossings in some years, with Christmas trees and festive entertainment on board. The North Atlantic is cold and stormy, so expect a lively ride on northern tracks. Holiday crossings are scarce and book up early.
What is the weather like on a Transatlantic cruise in December?
Across Transatlantic cruise ports, December brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 55°F, with about 3.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 9 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Transatlantic cruise in December?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Transatlantic?
Repositioning March to May and October to December; Queen Mary 2 crossings for much of the year.. The best months are usually April, May, October, November.
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.