7-Night Cruise on Celebrity XcelSt. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday - Weather

The Celebrity Xcel sails a 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday itinerary with Celebrity Cruises, departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 26, 2027. It's a classic Caribbean cruise. Travelers sailing in December can generally expect warm, sunny weather with gentle trade winds. Ports of call include Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico, with 2 more along the way. Use the day-by-day forecast below to plan what to pack for each stop.

1. Day 1 — Sunday, Dec 26, 2027 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida

   Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a scheduled port of call on day 1 of the 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday cruise on Celebrity Xcel. Expected weather: partially cloudy with highs near 75°F.

2. Day 2 — Monday, Dec 27, 2027 — At Sea

   Day 2 of 8 is a day at sea aboard Celebrity Xcel, cruising between ports on the St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday itinerary.

3. Day 3 — Tuesday, Dec 28, 2027 — At Sea

   Day 3 of 8 is a day at sea aboard Celebrity Xcel, cruising between ports on the St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday itinerary.

4. Day 4 — Wednesday, Dec 29, 2027 — Philipsburg, St. Maarten

   Philipsburg, St. Maarten is a scheduled port of call on day 4 of the 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday cruise on Celebrity Xcel. Expected weather: partially cloudy with highs near 79°F.

5. Day 5 — Thursday, Dec 30, 2027 — San Juan, Puerto Rico

   San Juan, Puerto Rico is a scheduled port of call on day 5 of the 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday cruise on Celebrity Xcel. Expected weather: partially cloudy with highs near 79°F.

6. Day 6 — Friday, Dec 31, 2027 — Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

   Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic is a scheduled port of call on day 6 of the 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday cruise on Celebrity Xcel. Expected weather: partially cloudy with highs near 81°F.

7. Day 7 — Saturday, Jan 1, 2028 — At Sea

   Day 7 of 8 is a day at sea aboard Celebrity Xcel, cruising between ports on the St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday itinerary.

8. Day 8 — Sunday, Jan 2, 2028 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida

   Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a scheduled port of call on day 8 of the 7-night St. Maarten & Puerto Plata Holiday cruise on Celebrity Xcel. Expected weather: partially cloudy with highs near 75°F.