Which cruise ships will make your new year sparkle? Find out here

End-of-year festivities hit new highs on the right ships.

Fireworks aboard a Disney cruise ship.

By Louise Goldsbury

Updated April 1, 2025, first published December 19, 2024

I have celebrated three New Year's Eves on cruise ships: once in Antarctica and twice along the coast of Australia. I love that the Christmas decorations are still up, sparkling festively all week, and everyone is in the mood to party in the middle of the ocean.

The open sea is the perfect setting to look forward to new horizons, as you sail away from the old and head towards your next adventures. If you can't remember what you did to welcome 2024, at least a cruise would be a memorable event.

This year, Azamara Pursuit is the lucky ship in Sydney on December 31. From White Bay Cruise Terminal, passengers will have a distant yet dazzling view of the famous fireworks while enjoying a White Party on the pool deck.

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In Brisbane and Melbourne, the Germans are taking over, aboard Hapag-Lloyd's Europa and AIDAsol docked in these two cities.

Disney Magic will be sailing away from Hobart, with entertainment by Disney characters dressed in seasonal costumes. The cruise line does its own fireworks displays, launched off the side of its ships. Princess Cruises has gala dinners followed by a midnight countdown in the Piazza; Royal Princess and Diamond Princess will be somewhere between New Zealand and Australia.

Azamara Pursuit.

Renowned for its grand ballrooms and dancing, Cunard hosts a New Year's Eve ball on each of its ships. Queen Elizabeth will be sailing in Fiji on a South Pacific itinerary, while Queen Anne is staying overnight in Portugal's Madeira on its Canary Islands Celebration.

A tradition onboard Windstar yachts, the most senior crew member rings out the old year and the youngest rings in the new, with a countdown by the captain and a Champagne toast.

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MSC Cruises takes it up a notch with the countdown displayed on giant screens and explosions of confetti shot from a cannon. Among the 23 ships in its fleet, I think the biggest party will be in Buenos Aires on MSC Armonia, which is cruising from Brazil to Argentina.

For a luxurious start to 2025, spend it in the Caribbean. Guests on Explora Journeys' two ships will see fireworks lighting up the sky in San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St George's, Grenada. SeaDream's twin yachts are set to shine in the glittering harbour of St Bart's.

Wherever you are, have a cruisy new year!

SHIP OF THE WEEK: Azamara Pursuit

How big: 335 staterooms, 702 guests, 408 crew

Who would love it: Explorers who value immersive cultural experiences and boutique luxury.

Who would not: Families with young children or those seeking a flashy mega-ship experience.

Point of difference: With its small size, the ship visits less crowded ports and offers late-night or overnight stays to maximise passengers' time ashore.

Don't miss: AzAmazing Evenings are exclusive complimentary events, held once per cruise at a spectacular landmark with dinner and entertainment.

Price point: From $US2179 ($3440) per person twin-share for a 12-night cruise from Japan to Alaska, departing May 2026.

Explore more: azamara.com