Warm-weather cruising is terrific, especially in the depths
of winter, when a cruise to the sunny Mediterranean, Caribbean or South Pacific
brings welcome warmth. But, during a hot summer, it’s also nice to cruise to a
destination where the days are long and pleasantly cool.
Alaska’s summer high temperatures are in the 60s and 70s, great
for outdoor activities and sightseeing. After a day of salmon fishing, panning
for gold, kayaking or zip-lining, snuggle up in a deck chair to watch the
scenery of forests, mountain peaks and glaciers. The Alaska cruise season runs
from mid-May to mid-September, which is also when the northern sky stays light
well past 10 p.m.
Cruise ships call on Reykjavik, Iceland, from late spring
through September, taking advantage of the long daylight hours and pleasant
temperatures in the 50s. Cruise ship visitors love to tour the city’s quirky
and often colorful architecture; take boat tours to islands inhabited by cute
Puffin birds; and shop for the hand-knitted Icelandic wool sweaters that keep
the locals warm. For a therapeutic experience, visit the Blue Lagoon, a pool of
mineral-rich, geothermally heated water set in a rugged landscape of lava rock.
Tromso, Norway, is north of the Arctic Circle, but summer
brings temperatures in the 50s. For much of July, there’s daylight nearly 24
hours a day. Tromso is home to the world’s northernmost university, which contributes
to its lively character. The city center has a notable collection of historic
wooden homes and a Gothic Revival-style cathedral. A more modern church, the
Arctic Cathedral, has a sleek design of concrete, steel and glass. Take the
cable car up Mt. Storsteinen for a panoramic view of mountains, water and
islands.
If you don’t want to wait until next summer to take a
refreshingly cool cruise, consider sailing the Chilean Fjords this winter. From
October through March – the South American summer – daytime temperatures
average in the 60s. Cruise ships sail along Chile’s southern coast for views of
stunning fjords, ice fields and glaciers. Puerto Montt, gateway to the Lakes District,
was settled by German immigrants and is like a piece of Bavaria in southern
Chile. If you can tear yourself away from the pretty waterfront, enjoy the
beautiful scenery while hiking, rafting, fishing or horseback riding.
To discover more destinations for cool-weather cruising,
talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.
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