Who said summer cruises had to include high temperatures? Whether they’re heading to the Arctic Circle or the Galapagos Islands, these voyages offer a variety of environments and landmarks to enjoy.
From sun and sand to adventures and Arctic temperatures, here are five cruise ideas that will suit those planning a summertime voyage – whether that’s this year, or in years to come.
The Galapagos: for the modern explorer
The Galapagos Islands (pictured above) teem with diverse wildlife (that Charles Darwin famously studied) and scenic stretches of greenery.
Groups taking a cruise that visits these famous islands will get to experience nature on a wide scale, with chances to photograph unique species that inhabit the archipelago both on land and sea.
There are plenty of excursions to explore the natural beauty of the islands, too, including catamaran tours, snorkelling and hiking.
Cuba: for the eager historian
Pictured: Vintage cars in Cuba.
A recently attainable destination, Cuba offers history, culture, and music – great for those after a shot of Latin American-style culture. Cuba offers a hot summer, and as the Caribbean’s largest island, boasts lots of activities for cruise passengers stopping there. These range from dancing to live salsa at the famous Cabaret Tropicana Night Club, viewing Spanish-inspired architecture, and visiting museums and art galleries.
Many cruise lines offer shore excursions that include UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Cienfuegos or Trinidad, and touring the Malecón – also known as the place untouched by time – in a vintage car.
The Northwest Passage: for the polar enthusiast
Pictured: A polar bear in the Arctic.
Looking for a wintery destination in the heart of summer? The Northwest Passage – a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean – offers a polar adventure in the warm summer months.
Passage cruises lend themselves to bird watching, kayaking, and polar bear sightings. Cruisers on many Northwest Passage-bound ships can follow in the footsteps of explorers and visit rarely-visited spots like Pond Inlet above the Arctic Circle in Nunavut, Canada where you might be lucky enough to spot a narwhal.
Africa: for the safari fanatic
Pictured: Table Mountain, Cape Town.
Passengers cruising to Africa can bask in the urban beauty and shopping that Cape Town has to offer, take part in safaris in the savannah, check out the famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and learn of the county’s culture.
Excursions on Africa-bound cruise ships may include game drives that seek sights of leopards and elephants, trips to Manibia’s famous dunes, and tastings of Africa’s famously varied cuisine.
Belize: for the seeker of paradise
Pictured: A caye in Belize.
Those on cruises with the tropical environment of Belize on the itinerary will get to experience beach panoramas and ancient culture as well as many famed diving spots.
Belize is on the eastern coast of central America, and its location offers nearly unbroken lines of reefs and cayes (low-lying islands) that make for reputable diving views, as well as a high concentration of ancient Mayan ruins to explore.
Cruisers can take part in excursions both onshore and off with hikes through lowland jungles full of wildlife and rivers, snorkelling off of silk-sand beaches, and mountain biking through vast rainforests.
These ideas are from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA); find out more by visiting www.cruising.org.
