Christmas - Malta or a mini cruise?

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My budget is beans at best but I'd like to take my two (21 & 18) away over Christmas (itself if possible). We've had a heck of a 2 years & would like to celebrate surving them frankly.
Does anyone have experience of Malta at Christmas? I'd prefer to stay in / near Valetta or Sliema (distant rellies there) I think? Is much open apart from Churches? We'd like to go to some museums, WWII history, maybe a boat trip if still running in winter (can't go in summer, too hot, possibly Easter I guess?)

Open to other ideas. Ds has POTS so no steep hills, partying / shopping etc just a quiet time / musems / history. Perhaps a mini cruise might be interesting?

Had a look on Travelzoo?

My memory of Valetta was that it was very hilly.

How about somewhere like Malaga?

• Cheap to fly and out of season for accommodation
• Proper sized town (city?) so lots going on
• They do Christmas lights there etc
• Harbour etc has lots of restaurants
• Various museums and galleries, churches
• Will feel quite warm compared to the UK.

I’d second Malaga. More likely to have pleasant weather and there is so much to do there and in the local area. There is a brilliant train service too so you can travel around very easily.

Have you been on a cruse before? They are basically a series of day trips. You can dress up for dinner if that's your bag. It has an all inclusive vibe.
Never been to Malta but people love it. Its historic.
How hot is Malta at Christmas? Is that important to you.
I went to gran caneria over Christmas loved it. Stayed at the south of the island as it was the hottest part and i could swim in the sea.The capital is very historic but you could do it in 1 or 2 days Great transport links by bus or you could rent a car.
The resorts vary.

I went to Malta for Christmas once. Lots of things were open but weather only got up to about 15°C

Malta is because we have relatives there so it would be our only choice re a foreign land based holiday atm. 15 degrees would be fine, don't want heat.
Hilly not good however.But I know there are good buses (I don't drive). It was more I wondered what was open / to do over Christmas time. Obvs I should ask rellies but then they might get excited we were coming etc & my two have ASD so I would only want to see them part of the trip iyswim & they might be offended so I was trying to research first.

No never been on a cruise. Not the 'dressing up' type at all. An 'easy day trip' experience then a quiet rest day at sea might work quite well for our needs atm.

I’ve spent the past three Christmases in Malta and loved it. Sliema and Valletta are lively and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants open. They also have fabulous decorations, a big wheel and a Christmas market.

I did a cruse with a disabled relative. It was good because everything was done, it was a contained environment so you can't get lost. People do dress up in the evening, not everyone.

I’d definitely go with the mini cruise

MSC have got some really good deals on for the European Christmas Cruise, it’s a chilled cruise liner so no need to dress up if you don’t want to. It’s also one of the smaller ships.
We book via Need that Cruise usually to get some great deals.
I almost booked it last week until I realised that adult son can’t get time off and can’t leave him alone for Christmas.

What Almost2026 said. I went on an MSC cruise at Easter, and you don't have to dress up for dinner. Some people do on the gala evening, otherwise something that you would go out in normally was fine. (ie no swimwear etc). A cruise is like a tour, but you take your hotel room with you, and everything Christmassy would be organised for you.

been on a good few cruises you do not need to dress up. so many options to eat on board and everything included in the price. last one had a champagne bar and evey evening I had a bolini. shows every night unreal. loved it and woke up evey morning in a new destination