The Hallmark Christmas Cruise Just Switched Cruise Lines After 3 Years with NCL

The Hallmark Christmas Cruise sells out every year, or at least it has in the three years it’s been running. But for 2027, there are about 1,000 fewer spots available since the cruise will be on a different ship and on an entirely different cruise line.

Instead of marking the occasion on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, the next Hallmark Christmas Cruise will be with Celebrity Cruises.

If you’re a fan of cozy Christmas flicks, festive decor, and cruising, this might be just the kind of vacation you already have on your radar.

For the past three years, “Hallmarkies” and Christmas lovers have enjoyed a sailing onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. In 2024 it was Norwegian Gem, in 2025 it was Norwegian Joy, and the 2026 Hallmark cruise just sailed last month on Norwegian Joy once again.

But Hallmark has officially decided to switch cruise lines. After three memorable years with Norwegian Cruise Line, the festive Hallmark cruise has a brand-new home.

Three Years with Norwegian

When Hallmark first announced its inaugural Christmas Cruise back in 2024, they partnered with Norwegian Cruise Line and event producer Sixthman to make the concept a reality.

The inaugural sailings took place aboard Norwegian Gem, sailing out of Miami with two back-to-back charter cruises that sold out almost instantly. Demand was so strong that Hallmark upgraded to a larger vessel, Norwegian Joy, for both the 2025 and 2026 sailings. Joy has a double capacity of about 3,800 guests.

But as the event grew, so did the need for a venue layout better suited for large-scale production events and unpredictable weather at sea.

Say Hello to Celebrity Cruises

Starting with the upcoming November 2027 voyage, the Hallmark Christmas Cruise is officially moving to Celebrity Cruises, sailing aboard Celebrity Reflection, the last Solstice-class ship with the cruise line.

So, why the change?

Hallmark and event organizers highlighted a few major reasons for making the jump:

• Weather-Proof Venues: One of the biggest issues on past NCL sailings was outdoor event disruptions caused by high winds or rain. Celebrity Reflection has a large, state-of-the-art indoor theater that guarantees live shows, star Q&As, and movie premieres will go on rain or shine.
• An Elevated Atmosphere: Celebrity Cruises is known for its upscale, premium vibe, modern design, and stellar dining. Hallmark framed the move as an effort to offer an “elevated and merrier than ever” experience for fans looking for a slightly more luxurious getaway.
• Better Layout & Crowd Flow: Solstice-class ships like Celebrity Reflection offer wide-open public spaces and well-designed lounges, which should help cut down on the long line bottlenecks fans experienced on mega-ships in previous years.

What You Need to Know for 2027

If you want to join the next festive voyage, you will also need to adjust your travel plans for a new homeport and itinerary.

Here are the quick details for the 2027 sailing:

• The Ship: Celebrity Reflection
• Sailing Dates: November 8–12, 2027
• Departure Port: PortEverglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (moving away from PortMiami)
• Destinations: Grand Bahama Island

Booking for the 2027 Hallmark Christmas Cruise opens to the general public on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET at HallmarkChristmasCruise.com, with presales for Hallmark+ and Crown Rewards members kicking off on November 10.

If past years are any indication, staterooms on this upgraded ship are bound to fill up fast, so set a reminder on your phone for tomorrow if you’re interested in checking out this unique sailing.