Even for the winter-lovers among us – those happy to carry a brolly permanently, who yearn for the nights closing in and relish a chunky knit – there’s no denying that, by bleak midwinter, we’re all in need of the instant lift that only a splash of sunshine can provide. We may have been treated to a late burst of autumn sunshine in Britain, but once advent calendars and innovative sprout recipes come into play, it can suddenly feel like a very long, very cold, uphill slog until winter is truly over – and if 2024 is anything to go by, that may be around the middle of next May. Even life’s optimists need their glasses topping up now and then.
Of course, now that it’s frequently too hot to venture to the continent in summer (and now that the British weather so often delivers a decent sunny spell itself), many of us are shifting our big annual overseas break out of the traditional July-to-September window, and into shoulder season – or better yet, into the depths of the UK winter, when it’s most needed. And with fantastic bargains to be had, plus new and interesting places constantly popping up on itineraries, it’s the humble winter sun cruise that is often by far the best option.
During the coldest, darkest months of the year, a sun-filled cruise can seem irresistible – getty
And the benefits of a cruise over a standard fly-and-flop don’t end there. Disappointing weather in one place? No problem – in a day or two, you’ll be somewhere new. Combine this with the endless variety offered by multi-destination sailings, and there can be few better ways to make the most of your winter escape.
So, where to go. Portugal, Cape Verde and Spanish cities such as Seville and Marbella will deliver a welcome boost of vitamin D, as will the ever-popular Canary Islands. If you don’t mind a long-haul flight to reach your departure port, Australia and Asia also guarantee sunshine, as do the islands of the Caribbean (with the added bonus of a slightly shorter flight). Even if you’re a devout winter-sun cruiser who’s ticked off many of the classics, cruise lines are constantly striving to offer something new, so you’re always likely to find an unexplored spot to tempt you.
We have selected 20 great winter-sun cruises, sailing between now and the end of February 2025. You will find all the winter sun favourites, plus great itineraries for cruises to the Galapagos Islands, the Mekong region, India’s Brahmaputra, Vanuatu, Qatar and more. All you have to do is make your choice, and all of a sudden, summer seems an awful lot closer.
Arabian delights
Dubai is a favourite choice for winter sun, but why not explore its environs in more detail by cruise? Celestyal Cruises’ great value Arabian holiday takes in the fascinating cities of Doha and Bahrain; explores the forts and fjords of Khasab; and offers a wildlife safari on Sir Bani island.
Book it: Celestyal Cruises (0808 280 3553; celestyal.com) has the seven-night Desert Days cruise return trip from Doha (Qatar) from £499pp (previously £990pp), which includes all meals, select drinks with meals, £65pp discount for a pre-booked excursion, onboard entertainment and gratuities. Departs December 14 2024.
This great value holiday takes in the futuristic Qatari-capital city of Doha
Mexican mix
Soak up the Californian sunshine as you kick off a cruise along the Mexican Riviera and the Sea of Cortez. The relaxing round trip begins and ends in the surfer’s paradise of San Diego, which enjoys more than 300 days of sun each year, and takes in Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Loreto, Pichilingue (La Paz) and Cabo San Lucas.
Book it: Holland America (0344 338 8607; hollandamerica.com) has the 11-day Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez cruise round trip from San Diego, from £1,354pp. This includes all meals (excluding speciality dining), afternoon tea, theatre shows, onboard gym and children’s clubs. Departs December 10 2024.
Terrific Pacific
Stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise seas are the backdrop for Carnival Cruise Line’s voyage to the South Pacific’s Vanuatu and New Caledonia. You’ll need to factor in long-haul return flights to Brisbane, where this cruise starts and ends, but this tropical treat is well worth the air miles.
Book it: Carnival Cruise Line (0808 234 0680; carnival.com) has the seven-day Vanuatu and New Caledonia return trip from Brisbane, calling at Lifou, Mystery Island and Noumea, from £440pp, which includes all meals onboard (excluding speciality dining), onboard activities, theatre shows, gym and children’s clubs. Departs February 9 2025.
Carnival’s cruise starts and ends in Brisbane, but the tropical vistas are worth it
Canary Island choice
The subtropical climate of the Canary Islands offers a swift route to winter sun from the UK. The seven main islands are home to tropical valleys and desert dunes, pretty fishing villages and awe-inspiring beaches. Rather than spending your whole holiday in one place, visiting several of the Canary Islands is a great way to maximise the region.
Book it: CroisiEurope (01756 691269; croisieurope.co.uk) has the seven-night cruise to six islands in the archipelago, starting with an overnight onboard in Tenerife before moving on to El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. From £1,999pp for a fly/cruise package from London Gatwick, including overseas transfers, all meals and drinks, port fees and repatriation insurance. Departs February 1 2025.
Caribbean value
Guaranteed sunshine, white sandy beaches, palm trees and colour dialled up to the max – the Caribbean remains the number one choice for winter sun. With Marella Cruises (part of Tui), you can discover Barbados, Tobago and Guadeloupe for less than £1,550 per person – including your flight.
Book it: Marella Cruises (020 3451 2688; tui.co.uk) offers a seven-night Taste of the Tropics round trip from Bridgetown, Barbados, from £1,527pp, which includes all-inclusive food and drinks, flights from London Heathrow and transfers, tips, and service charges. Calling at Tobago, Grenada, St Vincent, St Lucia and Guadeloupe. Departs January 2 2025.
Saint Lucia’s Marigot Bay is a staple for many cruise ships in the region – David C Tomlinson
Wellness at sea
Head for some sun and give your health a makeover at the same time with a wellness cruise. Search online and you will find any number of cruises offering yoga retreats, active pursuits, nourishing breaks and rejuvenating spa treatments. The Crystal cruise below promises guests a journey of rejuvenation and self-discovery focusing on healthy ageing, functional nutrition, fitness, mental wellbeing and detoxing body and mind.
Book it: Crystal Cruises (0808 175 0340; crystalcruises.com) has a 14-night sailing from Barcelona to Tema (Ghana), calling at Gibraltar, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. Prices start at £4,100pp, including all meals and drinks, gratuities and port fees. Departs December 1 2024.
Tahitian treats
With crystal-clear lagoons for the ultimate snorkelling experience, lush rainforests and traditional Polynesian culture, Tahiti epitomises the ultimate escape to the sunshine. French Polynesia is made up of more than 100 islands and atolls, and cruises sail from the capital, Papeete.
Book it: Windstar (0808 258 7943; windstarcruises.com) has the seven-night Dreams of Tahiti cruise round trip from Papeete, calling at Mo’orea, Raiatea, Motu Mahaea, Bora Bora and Huahine, and includes a feast on the beach and fire dancing on Bora Bora reef. From £4,399pp, including return flights, overseas transfers, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay and all meals and soft drinks. Departs December 5 2024.
French Polynesia is made up of more than 100 islands and atolls
Coral reefs and paradise islands
Visiting the British Virgin Islands and St Barth’s takes the Caribbean experience to the next level. With spectacular coral reefs, uninhabited national park islands and unique flora and fauna, no wonder the area is known as the jetsetter’s Caribbean playground.
Book it: Seadream Yacht Club (020 7399 7670; mundycruising.co.uk) has the seven-night Virgin Islands Explorer round trip from Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, and includes visits to Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Anguilla, St Barth’s and Saba. From £4,745pp for return flights from London Heathrow, overseas transfers, an overnight airport hotel stay in Miami, all cruise meals and drinks, port fees and gratuities. Departs December 14 2024.
Indian summer
The untouched upper reaches of Assam can be explored with an unforgettable voyage along Brahmaputra, one of Asia’s major rivers. It’s the perfect winter sun escape for intrepid travellers looking for a new adventure and offers the opportunity to see wonderful wildlife, including elephants, rhino, tigers and wild horses, and to visit an Assam tea plantation.
Book it: Pandaw (0800 988 3369; www.fredholidays.co.uk) has the 10-night Full Brahmaputra cruise between Guwahati and Dibrugarh on the 36-guest RV Kalaw Pandaw from £5,599pp, including flights, all meals, excursions, transfers and gratuities, and includes a a one-night pre-cruise stay in Delhi and a one-night pre-cruise stay in Guwahati (both at five-star hotels). Departs December 8 2024.
The Indian state of Assam remains largely unexplored by tourists – Alamy
Caribbean tasting notes
For a real flavour of Caribbean cuisine, choose a cruise packed with foodie-based excursions and cookery classes, such as Oceania’s Tropical Connoisseur, which explores the best of the western Caribbean and includes visits to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
Book it: Oceania’s (0345 505 1920; oceaniacruises.com) 12-day Tropical Connoisseur round trip from Miami costs from £3,149 for a Veranda Stateroom, including $600 shore excursion credit, unlimited Wi-Fi and speciality dining (offer ends September 30, so time is of the essence). Departs December 5 2024.
New discoveries Down Under
The Indonesian archipelago and some of Australia’s most stunning beaches are brought together in Viking’s unforgettable Komodo and the Australian Coast cruise. Taking in beautiful Bali, Lombok and Komodo National Park, where you will encounter Komodo dragons, before heading on to Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane and some of Australia’s most breathtaking islands.
Book it: Viking’s (0800 319 6660; viking.com) 17-day Komodo and the Australian Coast from Benoa (Bali) to Sydney costs from £4,290pp, including return flights from selected UK airports, all onboard meals (including wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), included excursions in each port of call, Wi-Fi gratuities, spa access and entertainment. Departs December 7 2024.
Mekong Marvels
With average December, January and February temperatures hovering between 21C and 30C, south-east Asia is the perfect destination to escape the British winter. Scenic’s five-star river cruise follows the Mekong river, which cuts through six of the region’s nations, and focuses on the enchanting waterways of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Book it: Scenic (0161 516 0016; scenic.co.uk) has the 13-day Treasures of the Mekong itinerary, which includes a three-night hotel stay in Siem Reap (Cambodia). From £6,156pp, including flights, transfers, Wi-Fi, three exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences and all-day beverages and meals. Departs December 17 2024.
Scenic’s cruise traverses the mighty Mekong river – Frederik Wissink
Easy does it
With a chauffeur-driven car taking you from your doorstep to the ship’s gangway (at Portsmouth), cruises don’t get much more hassle-free than Saga’s Canary Island Hopping cruise. The itinerary includes four panoramic excursions as well as a visit to La Gomera, where Christopher Columbus readied his ships for his New World quest.
Book it: Saga Cruises (0808 273 6463; travel.saga.co.uk) has the 15-night Canary Island Hopping no-fly cruise from £3,570pp, including all meals and drinks, tips, and unlimited luggage allowance. Calling at Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Cadiz. Departs January 5 2025.
Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, is packed with history – getty
Caribbean ABC
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, part of the south-western chain of the Leeward Antilles, make for three colourful stops on Explora Journeys’ Leeward Antilles cruise, which also visits Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. Setting sail from Puerto Rico, this slice of the southern Caribbean has echoes of Spanish, Dutch colonial and distinctly British influences.
Book it: Explora Journeys (0800 031 8935; explorajourneys.com) has the seven-night Puerto Rico to Barbados cruise. Costing from £2,850pp, excluding flights, it includes all meals and drinks, spa access and wellness programmes, gratuities, Wi-Fi and more. Departs February 21 2025.
Culinary Australia
Bringing together some of Australia’s best chefs, producers and wine critics, Cunard’s third annual Great Australian Culinary Voyage heads from Sydney to Hobart (in Tasmania) for a mouthwatering and immersive foodie cruise.
Book it: Cunard’s (0344 338 8641; cunard.com) five-night Great Australian Culinary Voyage round trip from Sydney costs from £999pp, which includes spacious accommodation, all meals, plus tea, coffee, water and fruit juices, daily afternoon tea, onboard activities and entertainment. Departs February 6 2025.
Miami, Mexico and more
The Caribbean’s many nations offer no end of fabulous cruising options – but for something even more unusual, opt for a sailing with one of the various lines that own private islands in the region. Regent Seven Seas, for example, owns Harvest Caye, off the shores of Belize, and offers a shore excursion there as part of its cruise along Central America’s eastern coast.
Book it: Regent Seven Seas (023 8082 1390; rssc.com) has the seven-night Maya Magic round trip from Miami, calling at Mexico, Belize and Honduras, from £3,339pp for an all-inclusive package of full board (including all speciality restaurants), unlimited drinks and shore excursions, valet laundry and pre-paid gratuities. Departs December 6 2024.
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Publish date : 2024-09-29 23:29:00
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