WE’RE enjoying record-breaking temperatures right here in the UK, with the Met Office declaring an official heatwave.
The joy of a cruise is you can choose to sail into warm OR cold waters, depending on whether you are an ardent sun-worshipper or prefer staying cool as a cucumber.
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From the majesty of the Norwegian Fjords to the stunning glacier landscapes of Alaska, those who get hot under the collar will love the chance to explore these cooler trips.
Meanwhile, travellers who can’t get enough of the heat will adore the sunshine and warm waters of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Here, Lisa Minot, picks the best hot and cold cruises you can set sail on this summer.
MEDITERRANEAN
MARELLA Cruises’ all-inclusive Mediterranean voyages mean you won’t have to worry about ordering that second cocktail on deck as you sail through the warm waters of the Med.
Their seven-night Cosmopolitan Classics round trip from Palma, Majorca, is from just £1,057pp and includes all food and drink, flights from Bournemouth on July 1, 20kg luggage, transfers and tips.
Sailing on the Marella Discovery, the ship calls at Italy’s Cagliari, in Sardinia, Naples for Pompeii and Capri, Piombino for Siena and Pisa, France’s Villefranche for Monaco and Nice, and Palamos, in Spain. To book, go to tui.co.uk/cruise.
CARIBBEAN
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COMBINE a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s latest and greatest ship, Star Of The Seas, with a chance to relax on the golden shores of its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. Star Of The Seas sets sail this August, the latest in the Icon class of mega ships.
A seven-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise leaves Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 31 and calls at Perfect Day, Mexico’s Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan in Honduras, and Cozumel in Mexico.
Prices are from £1,328pp, including full board and entertainment.
See royalcaribbean.com.
ADRIATIC
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IT doesn’t get more idyllic than travelling the sparkling Adriatic Sea on a seven-night round-trip cruise from Dubrovnik in Croatia.
Sailing on CroisiEurope’s 197-guest ship La Belle de l’Adriatique, you will enjoy the best of the Croatian mainland ports and islands, including Losinj, Krk, Rovinj, Pula, Zadar and Kotor.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive, with all meals and drinks, is from £1,512pp, departing Dubrovnik on August 21.
To book, see croisieurope.co.uk or call 01756 691269.
GREEK ISLES
FAMILIES with pre-school kids can take advantage of early July to head away for less before the classrooms empty for summer.
And P&O Cruises’ Azura has a great itinerary discovering the very best of the Greek islands.
Departing London on July 3, this seven-night fly cruise leaves Malta and calls at Piraeus for Athens, Mykonos, Souda Bay for Chania in Crete and Katakolon for Olympia.
Seven nights’ full-board is from £699pp, including flights and transfers. To book, go to pocruises.com.
ARCTIC CIRCLE
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HAVILA Voyages’ hybrid working/cruise ships offer an immersive way to explore the land of the midnight sun, travelling high up into the Arctic Circle.
There may be endless sunny days, but with temperatures averaging just 14 degrees in August in Kirkenes, northeastern Norway, you will also keep your cool.
Optional excursions include king crab fishing, hiking with huskies and even a trip to the Snowhotel Kirkenes.
There are currently 40 per cent savings for solo travellers. An 11-night round trip voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes is from £1,952pp full-board for a single traveller, departing August 10 on Havila Castor.
Snowhotel excursions from £91pp. Flights to Bergen extra. See havilavoyages.com.
ZEEBRUGGE
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JOIN Mickey Mouse on exclusive sailings aboard the Disney Fantasy from Southampton this summer.
Heading into cooler waters, a three-night full-board cruise to Belgium’s Zeebrugge brings the chance to enjoy a magical trip to the medieval city of Bruges, with its Disney-like architecture.
With time onboard the liner to enjoy the fantastic kids’ clubs and shows, the cruise is from £879pp, based on four sharing an inside cabin, departing Southampton on August 29.
See iglucruise.com/disney-fantasy.
ICELAND
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THE land of ice and fire is the ideal destination for cool cruise lovers. And Fred Olsen’s Exploring Iceland cruise is a nine-night adventure to discover everything from glaciers and waterfalls to geysers and lava tunnels.
The return trip on Fred Olsen’s Bolette departs Liverpool on September 5 and will include calls at Reykjavik and Akureyri. Fares are from £1,599pp, including all meals, tea and coffee and entertainment.
To book, see fredolsencruises.com or call 0800 0355 144.
BALTICS & NORWAY
EXPLORE Baltic Jewels and Nordic Dreams onboard Ambassador Cruises’ Ambience.
Sailing directly from Tilbury, London, on August 25, this 14-night break ticks off a host of northern European highlights, including Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Berlin from Warnemunde and Aarhus.
Prices are from £1,006pp, including full board and entertainment.
To book, go to iglucruise.com or call 02037 335 557.
