The Hallmark Christmas Cruise 2025 departed from Miami today aboard Norwegian Joy, kicking off a four-night holiday-themed voyage to Cozumel, Mexico. The sailing brings together Hallmark Channel stars, exclusive movie premieres, and nonstop Christmas programming inspired by the network’s Countdown to Christmas lineup.
Now in its second year, the Hallmark Christmas Cruise has become one of the most sought-after themed sailings at sea. The event is organized by Sixthman and Hallmark Media, with cabins selling out months in advance.
The sky-high demand comes from eager Hallmark fans looking to celebrate the festive season alongside their favorite actors.
During the sailing, Hallmark has transformed Norwegian Joy into a floating “Winter Wonderland,” complete with twinkling trees, festive cocktails, and an activity schedule filled with holiday cheer.
The voyage aboard Norwegian Joy includes a single port of call in Cozumel, Mexico, and two days at sea. Hallmark cruise guests can explore Mayan ruins, snorkel in turquoise waters, or relax on the beach under the Caribbean sun before returning to the holiday festivities onboard.
The themed sailing includes non-stop Christmas activities
Hallmark fans can enjoy festive daily programs, activities, and events while onboard. Scheduled Christmas events for this year include Christmas Carol-oke, Fireside Chats with Hallmark talent, and Festive Feud presented by HomeGoods, a lively game-show-style event in the ship’s Joy Theater.
Guests can also join “A Merry Conversation with the Stars” presented by Balsam Hill, where Hallmark favorites discuss their films. Other activities include Create & Learn workshops such as Christmas Cookie Decorating, Letter Writing, and Canvas & Clinks painting sessions.
Fan favorites return to the lineup during the Hallmark Christmas Cruise 2025, such as Christmas Trivia, Cocktail Tastings in the Observation Lounge, Movie Under the Stars: The Santa Class, and the late-night Silent Night Disco.
Of course, there will be no shortage of Christmas movies during the sailing. Onboard screenings include Hallmark originals like Finding Mr. Christmas: Reindeer Games, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, and Miracle in Bethlehem, PA.
Finally, one of the highlights of the cruise is the exclusive world premiere of a brand-new Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, shown for guests before its television debut.
Stars headline the Hallmark Christmas Cruise 2025
This year’s roster features Hallmark regulars Jonathan Bennett and Nikki DeLoach, who return as co-hosts. The entire line-up includes 17 Hallmark Channel stars, making it the largest celebrity roster yet for the themed sailing.
Among those on board are:
- Jonathan Bennett – Host of the cruise; starred in The Christmas House and The Holiday Sitter.
- Nikki DeLoach – Known for several Hallmark originals including The Gift of Peace.
- Tyler Hynes – Leading role in Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022) which became the most-watched original cable Hallmark movie of that year. He also stars in Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story (2024).
- Andrew Walker – Co-star of Three Wise Men and a Baby.
- Kimberley Sustad – Star of The Nine Lives of Christmas (2014) and Christmas by Starlight (2020).
- Paul Campbell – Co-star/co-writer of Three Wise Men and a Baby.
- B.J. Britt – Cast member in the upcoming The Groomsmen: First Look trilogy for Hallmark+, alongside Bennett and Hynes.
- Rachel Boston – Star of A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe.
- Erin Cahill – Star of A Timeless Christmas.
- Sarah Drew – Appears in Hallmark’s holiday word of mouth.
- Heather Hemmens – Star of The Santa Class with Sustad.
- Kristoffer Polaha – Star of We Wish You a Married Christmas.
- Kim Matula – Appears in Checkin’ it Twice
- Victor Webster – Star of A Christmas Cookie Catastrophe.
- Wes Brown – Appears in Haul out the Holly
Each actor is participating in panels, autograph sessions, and photo opportunities throughout the voyage. Fans can also attend storytelling sessions and Q&As where the stars discuss bringing the magic of Christmas to life on screen
A docuseries chronicled the 2024 Hallmark Christmas Cruise
Hallmark’s growing holiday-at-sea franchise even made its way to television over the summer. The network’s unscripted docuseries, “Christmas at Sea,” aired earlier this year on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+, giving viewers an inside look at the first-ever Hallmark Christmas Cruise.
The four-part series followed passengers and Hallmark stars during the 2024 inaugural sailing from Miami to Nassau, capturing real moments of joy, connection, and nostalgia. Fans were shown decorating cookies, attending tree lightings, singing carols, and sharing personal stories with their favorite actors.
Among the stars featured were Jonathan Bennett, Tyler Hynes, Nikki DeLoach, Erin Cahill, and Wes Brown, along with other familiar Hallmark faces. The series blended reality-style storytelling with the same warmth and sentiment that define Hallmark’s holiday movies, offering viewers what one critic described as “a real-life Hallmark movie come true.”
At this time, it’s unclear if Hallmark is planning to film aboard the 2025 Christmas cruise.
About Norwegian Joy
The 2025 Hallmark Christmas Cruise is hosted aboard Norwegian Joy, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships. The 3,800-passenger vessel offers multiple performance venues, outdoor lounges, and expansive open-deck spaces—ideal for large-scale themed events.
Venues such as the Joy Theater, Cavern Club, and The Social host the cruise’s rotating lineup of activities, from morning yoga and bingo to evening variety shows. Norwegian Joy’s Observation Lounge and waterfront promenade serve as scenic gathering spots for fans between events.
Looking ahead to Hallmark’s 2026 Christmas Cruise
While the current sailing launched today, fans are already eyeing the 2026 edition of the Hallmark Christmas Cruise. The official event calendar lists a tentative voyage for October 23-27, 2026, departing from Miami and calling at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
The Hallmark Christmas Cruise in 2026 will also sail aboard Norwegian Joy. Prices start at $1,635 per person for an interior cabin and $2,145 for a balcony stateroom. Currently, there are no suites available, as the website shows The Haven is sold-out.
This early listing suggests that organizers are planning even earlier in the season for the 2026 cruise, potentially giving enthusiasts more opportunities to reserve. At this time, full details about the sailing’s line-up have not been publicly announced.
With sold-out sailings and growing demand from loyal fans, the annual Hallmark Christmas Cruise is quickly becoming a favorite seasonal event. For devoted fans of the channel’s cozy brand of romance and holiday spirit, the Christmas-themed cruise feels like stepping inside one of their favorite movies.
