CHRISTMAS IN THE USA

The 15 Best Christmas Cruises in the USA

24 tours  ·  from $78 a head

The shortlist you would send a friend planning December: 15 christmas cruises in the USA worth the money, each with its price and the one thing to know before you commit.

New York City Christmas Holiday Statue and Skyline Cocoa Cruise - The grand salon, decorations, and onboard drinks
Christmas Cruises, Christmas Cruises in New York City, Christmas Cruises in the USA, Christmas Tours, New York City Christmas Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Christmas Tours

New York City Christmas Holiday Statue and Skyline Cocoa Cruise

1.New York City Christmas Holiday Statue and Skyline Cocoa Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Settle into a decorated classic yacht for a 90-minute Christmas cruise from Chelsea Piers. You get one complimentary drink, indoor seating, narration, and views of Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the waterfront. Hot cocoa, wine, beer, champagne, soda, cookies, and light snacks are available for purchase.

“Enjoyed the atmosphere and the holiday vibes and feeling. Recommend the trip to families especially. Informative and have wonderful pictures to keep as a memory”

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NYC: New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Fireworks Harbor Cruise - What the three-hour schedule feels like
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NYC: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Fireworks Harbor Cruise

2.NYC: New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Fireworks Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 37 reviews · from $552

Spend New Year’s Eve on a climate-controlled City Cruises boat with a reserved table, chef-prepared buffet, open bar, live DJ, and sparkling wine toast for adults 21 and older. You’ll view the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and other landmarks from the Hudson and East Rivers, with fireworks weather permitting.

“The decoration and the atmosphere were amazing. Everyone was super friendly, the food was good. The music could have included more new songs, unfortunately only oldies were played, which meant that the dance floor was getting a little emptier. But overall it was a great experience, although it could have gone on a little longer, 3 hours went by way too quickly.”

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NYC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise - The three-course meal, served at your table
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NYC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

3.NYC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 31 reviews · from $158

Spend Christmas Eve on the Bateaux New York yacht, leaving from Chelsea Piers for a 2-hour brunch or 3-hour dinner. Enjoy a plated three-course meal at your private table, live music, and views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and more.

“Exceeded our expectations! Mel was super engaged and our waiter was, too! Grateful to have had the holiday experience - food delicious and playlist was well curated as well! Timed to the tee. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”

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NYC: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise - Choosing between the two-hour brunch and two-and-a-half-hour dinner
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NYC: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

4.NYC: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 29 reviews · from $146

Spend Christmas Day aboard City Cruises’ Spirit of New York, leaving from Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers. Choose a two-hour brunch with unlimited mimosas or a two-and-a-half-hour dinner, both with a seasonal buffet, reserved table, DJ, games, and views of the Statue of Liberty, bridges, and Manhattan skyline.

“Very pleasant atmosphere, excellent food, very good briefing, and friendly service. The music could have been more appropriate (only music from the 90s was played, while Christmas music would have been more fitting on December 25). There was ample space for taking photos, and the ship's crew was very friendly and attentive.”

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NYC: Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise - Boarding at Chelsea Piers on West 23rd Street
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NYC: Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

5.NYC: Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 26 reviews · from $199

Board Spirit of New York at Pier 61 for a Christmas Eve lunch or dinner cruise along the Hudson and East Rivers. You get a reserved table, seasonal buffet, unlimited coffee, tea, and iced tea, live DJ music, and views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Manhattan skyline. Alcohol costs extra.

“El servio de la tripulación, la comida y las vistas, un paseo espectacular!!! mi agradecimiento por la experiencia y lo recomiendo ampliamente.”

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NYC: Cornucopia Majesty New Year's Eve Party Cruise - Boarding at Pier 81
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NYC: Cornucopia Majesty New Year’s Eve Party Cruise

6.NYC: Cornucopia Majesty New Year’s Eve Party Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 14 reviews · from $369

Spend five hours aboard the Cornucopia Majesty, leaving from Pier 81 in Manhattan. You get reserved seating, a two-hour dinner buffet, a four-hour open bar, live DJ music, party favors, and a midnight toast. The yacht has four decks, but this ticket does not include a live view of Times Square’s ball drop.

“Excellent organization, magnificent setting. Fantastic DJ. Efficient staff. Dinner with limited choice but good, there was also something for vegetarians. The only downside was that the women's bathroom was completely flooded and very slippery, and apart from a sign, nothing was done about it. A girl fell and hurt her wrist, and a waitress who was there didn't even offer to bring her some ice. Apart from that, everything was truly magnificent, with a wonderful New Year's Eve fireworks display.”

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New York Pier 15 New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise - Brooklyn Bridge from the water
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New York Pier 15 New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise

7.New York Pier 15 New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $496

Board at Pier 15 at 10:00 pm for a four-hour New Year’s Eve cruise with a buffet dinner, top-shelf bar for ages 21 and over, DJ, dancing, skyline views, and a sparkling wine toast at midnight. You’ll have views of the Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center, with fireworks when weather permits.

“Essen gut, Getränke gut Super Service DJ ok Pünktlich Leider war das Wetter sehr schlecht Kann ich weiter empfehlen”

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Chicago: Christmas Eve Lake Michigan Gourmet Dinner Cruise - A plated holiday meal at your own table
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Chicago: Christmas Eve Lake Michigan Gourmet Dinner Cruise

8.Chicago: Christmas Eve Lake Michigan Gourmet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · from $193

Spend 2.5 hours aboard Odyssey Lake Michigan on Christmas Eve, with a private table, three-course plated dinner, DJ music, and views of Navy Pier, Willis Tower, and Chicago’s skyline. You can sit indoors, step onto the open-air decks, and order cocktails while coffee, hot tea, and iced tea remain included.

“Muy divertido! La cena muy rica y el DJ genial. las vistas a la ciudad desde el lago fueron increíbles! Muy recomendable. El staff muy amable.”

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Chicago New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan - From buffet tables to the DJ floor
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Chicago New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

9.Chicago New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · from $273

You’ll board a City Cruises vessel at Navy Pier at 9:30 pm for about three hours of buffet dining, DJ music, dancing, and Lake Michigan fireworks. Indoor heated areas and outdoor decks give you viewing choices. Plan for smart-casual dress, a busy check-in, and possible delays if the vessel is not clearly marked.

“Tudo incrível Só não sabíamos que barco ia .não tinha Internet e o aplicativo não abria e ninguém sabia qual ir Sufoco Mas no barco foi incrível tudo maravilhoso”

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San Diego: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise - Brunch brings breakfast classics and bay views
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San Diego: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

10.San Diego: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $95

You’ll board at Pier 1 for a 2 to 3 hour Christmas Day cruise with a festive buffet, holiday decor, music, and table service. Choose brunch with unlimited mimosas or dinner with turkey, tri tip, salmon, and seasonal desserts. Open-air decks show off the USS Midway and Coronado Bridge.

“Loved it all! But more entertainment could be added!”

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San Francisco: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise - What happens during the two-hour sailing
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San Francisco: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

11.San Francisco: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $184

Spend Christmas Day aboard a premium San Francisco yacht with a chef-prepared holiday meal, festive décor, live entertainment, and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Brunch includes champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider. Coffee, tea, water, and iced tea are included, while wine, beer, and cocktails cost extra.

“Awesome 😎 Great food, buffet, mimosas, staff available took pictures, lots of sight seeing above decks. Would definitely recommend 👍”

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Key West Christmas Cruise with Live Band and Drinks - Schooner America 2.0 and the Onboard Mood
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Key West Christmas Cruise with Live Band and Drinks

12.Key West Christmas Cruise with Live Band and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97

Join Classic Harbor Line for a 1.5-hour Christmas sail around Key West aboard Schooner America 2.0. Enjoy holiday music, festive treats, and two included drinks, with beer, wine, champagne, and non-alcoholic choices available. Check in 30 to 45 minutes early at 202 William St for your boarding pass.

“Spending Christmas Eve on a schooner ship singing carols was AWESOME! I highly recommend this tour next Christmas.”

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Cornucopia Princess NYC New Years Eve Cruise - Reserved seating, with an important catch
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Cornucopia Princess NYC New Years Eve Cruise

13.Cornucopia Princess NYC New Years Eve Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4 reviews · from $399

Spend New Year’s Eve aboard the Cornucopia Princess at Pier 81 in Manhattan. You’ll have reserved banquet-style seating, a two-hour dinner buffet, a four-hour standard open bar, a live DJ, dancing, party favors, and a chance to see midnight fireworks beside views of the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

“The boat took a long time to start. The staff was super friendly. We had a great evening.”

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Marina Del Rey: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise - Choosing brunch or dinner
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Marina Del Rey: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

14.Marina Del Rey: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $143

Spend 2 to 2.5 hours aboard City Cruises California for a Christmas Eve buffet cruise from Marina del Rey. Choose brunch with free-flowing champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider, or an evening dinner with turkey, salmon, tri-tip, seasonal sides, and desserts. Enjoy music, holiday décor, indoor seating, and open-air rooftop decks.

“Le buffet était plutôt bon La coupe de champagne d'accueil La vue sur les lumières du port L'ambiance plutôt conviviale”

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Sacramento: New Year's Eve River Cruise - Meeting the boat at Front Street
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Sacramento: New Year’s Eve River Cruise

15.Sacramento: New Year’s Eve River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $78Best value

Meet at Sacramento’s L Street dock for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve cruise with a live DJ, cocktail seating, city views, and a complimentary champagne toast. Small bites, cocktails, wine, and beer cost extra. Seating is first come, first served, and fireworks viewing is not guaranteed.

“It was OK, good music and drinks available. but 1) it was way TOO cold 2) they promoted the fireworks to watch from the cruise and the Fireworks were not visible at all. Not coming back”

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Just added: Christmas Cruises in the USA

★ 4.5Santa and The Rougarou’s Creepy Christmas CruiseFrom $793 reviews
★ 5.0New Year’s Eve Plated Dinner Cruise on Lake MichiganFrom $3412 reviews
★ 5.0Baltimore: Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $782 reviews

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