Britons are opting for festive city breaks over traditional winter sun holidays, with Northern Europe emerging as the top winter cruise destination for 2026/27, according to new data from Southampton Cruise Centre. The UK-based travel agency found that Northern Europe accounted for 30% of winter cruise interest, up from 22% last year, overtaking the Caribbean, which now holds 20%.
Southampton Cruise Centre, part of the Travel Village Group, analysed enquiries for winter 2026/27 cruises, revealing a shift in preferences. The Canary/Atlantic Islands ranked second with 21% of enquiries, whilst the Mediterranean and Western Europe followed with 17% and 4%, respectively. Lewis Johnston, Head of eCommerce at Southampton Cruise Centre, noted, “This change suggests fewer people are looking for sunny getaways following the intense run of heatwaves this summer.”
Johnston highlighted the appeal of Northern Europe cruises for those wishing to experience multiple European Christmas markets. “Your accommodation and meals are included, you're transported between destinations whilst you're onboard, and you only have to unpack once,” he said. Google Trends data from October 2026 supports this trend, showing a 40% increase in searches for ‘Europe Christmas market’ and a 187% rise in ‘winter city break’ queries compared to the previous year.
A seven-night cruise from Southampton visiting Hamburg, Normandy, Paris, and Rotterdam is expected to be particularly popular, with prices starting at £460 per person. As Christmas market offers begin to emerge, Johnston added, “Customers can find some really attractive options for their festive break if they haven’t already booked.”
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