Fancy swapping a scarf for sun cream? Winter is a popular time of year to crave a break from everyday life. Whether you want to explore the souks of the Middle East or marvel at the architectural ingenuity of the Mediterranean’s impressive buildings, you are sure to find a cruise deal to suit. Here, we chat with several bloggers who have enjoyed a winter cruise over the years:
Reasons to book a winter cruise
You can enjoy the best festive markets
The merry atmosphere, locally made items and scrumptious street food make Christmas markets truly magical. Richard and Helen from Visit With Us embarked on their first winter cruise a few years ago, “Our first ever winter cruise was on the beautiful Queen Victoria sailing to the Canary Islands over Christmas and New Year with our three children.
“We had never been away for Christmas before and we were slightly trepidatious about it but we needn’t have worried. Not only was it great to be looked after over what is usually a really busy time of year, but the whole family also enjoyed the activities and entertainment on board as well as getting some much-needed sun and warmth at quite a gloomy time of year in the UK.”
The family developed a taste for winter cruising as a result of their inaugural Christmas trip and now they love to spend time soaking up the culture at the many festive markets available during their port days, “We then managed to join two three-night Cunard cruises from Southampton to visit some Christmas markets in Bruges and Amsterdam. They offered an opportunity to ramp up the excitement for Christmas, with lots of mulled wine, hot waffles, gingerbread and Christmas markets, which Northern European cities are famous for. The seasonal excitement was further enhanced by the ships being adorned with their Christmas decorations.”
Some hotter climates cool down
Setting sail on a winter cruise means you can enjoy balmy, rather than scorching temperatures. “With more than 700 islands spread across hundreds of miles, Caribbean weather is generally divided into southern and northern regions, with islands in the south a little warmer than those in the north,” explains the team at 101 Holidays. “The southern islands also have the advantage of being generally considered outside the hurricane zone.
“The humidity is less in the northern Caribbean islands which include the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos and Cuba. As a result, rainfall is also lower and temperatures are near identical to the islands of the south, with peaks of 30°C, nighttime lows of 23°C and eight hours of sunshine per day.” Tenerife also boats long sunshine-filled days and average highs of 25°C in November with a low chance of rain.
In contrast, countries in North Western Europe, such as Norway, will see temperatures plummet to lows of -1°C on average in November as snow beings to accumulate. Despite the nip in the air, the scenery is breathtaking and, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
There are great deals to be had
Embarking on a winter cruise means there are big savings to be had as Cruise Critic explains on its website, “Winter cruises can offer a great deal, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is a slow travel period.”
It is best to carry out research before booking your winter cruise in order to find the best deal. You can bag yourself a bargain by looking into cheap cruises from Southampton - by choosing a no-fly cruise, you can totally relax before you set sail. “One big reason we love winter cruises is that prices are cheaper during this time of year,” Tanner from Cruzely told us. “If you have the flexibility to sail during the winter, then you can find deals that cost less than during the busy summer season.”
Winter travel gives you a different perspective
As seasons change destinations transform. “I sailed with Hurtigruten around Norway and it was a great experience seeing the natural beauty of the Norwegian fjords,” explained Ryazan from Everything Zany. “Travelling on a winter cruise is something that every cruise enthusiast should do. It offers a different perspective.”
Opting to travel to colder locations means you can appreciate a country in a different light. Snow has a unique way of transforming places into a winter wonderland. Many cities prepare for the Christmas festivities by illuminating shops and restaurants with an array of lights to dazzle and amaze visitors and locals alike.
Alyson from My Virtual Vacations told us that a winter cruise gives her family the perfect chance to relax and unwind as the year draws to a close, “When considering a vacation in the winter, a cruise tops my list. It’s the ideal vacation to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, stress of work or busy days at school. We can rejuvenate and be pampered by everything a cruise has to offer during this time of year.”
