Brrr, it's cold enough to sail! Why not give these cold-weather cruises a try?
A few weeks before Christmas, Philip Keener and his wife took an immersive approach to get into the holiday spirit.
The Annapolis, Maryland, couple embarked on a Christmas market cruise along Europe’s Rhine River with Viking, visiting six or seven festive markets in about a week.
“(There were) a couple of towns, in Strasbourg and a couple of other places, where the buildings were just all decorated just so beautifully,” Keener, 73, told USA TODAY. “It was just amazing. There was one building that was covered in huge teddy bears.” In Gengenbach, Germany, the town hall was transformed into a giant Advent calendar.
They sipped glühwein – or mulled wine – and snacked on bratwurst and potato pancakes. "So, it was kind of the food (that was most enjoyable) for us – at least for me,” he said.
Cruises often bring to mind sunny ports of call, beachy cocktails and days spent poolside. But there are plenty of cold-weather – or at least cooler – sailings worth layering up for. Here are some others to consider.
Northern Europe and Greenland
Iceland, Norway and Greenland are all popular cold-weather destinations, according to Claire Maguire, a travel agent and franchise owner at Cruise Planners. “Typically (peak season is) in the summer months – our summer – mainly because of the ice up in Greenland, and the weather is pretty rough up there,” she said. Visitors will also experience extended daylight hours at that time.
Mainstream cruise lines with large ships visit, but smaller expedition operators like Aurora Expeditions and National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions also offer more adventure-focused Arctic itineraries. Guests can explore via Zodiac boat, and common activities include hiking, kayaking and polar plunges (for those who dare).
Expedition operators also generally provide some gear for passengers, such as jackets, given the intense conditions at many destinations (though guests can also find packing lists on cruise companies’ websites).
Scotland, too, can stay relatively cool during the summer. “It's not snow in the summer, but it's definitely chilly, especially some of the outer islands, like the Orkneys and the Hebrides and the islands that are further north off the mainland,” Maguire added.
Antarctica
Travelers could also consider the opposite end of the earth.
Antarctica is an increasingly popular cruise destination, and both traditional and expedition ships visit. However, prospective guests should note that ships carrying more than 500 passengers cannot take guests on land, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, and will only offer scenic cruising.
Antarctica cruises typically operate between late October and March during its summer, Maguire said.
New England and Canada
New England and Canada cruises – which can include stops like Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Quebec City and Montreal – can take place as early as spring. But they are particularly sought-after in the fall, Maguire said, which offers crisp temperatures and leaf-peeping opportunities.
Cruise ships have historically avoided the St. Lawrence River once winter rolls around, but Ponant previously announced its Le Commandant Charcot icebreaker would start sailings there this season.
Alaska cruises: Why the journey is the destination in the Last Frontier
Alaska
Alaska is another seasonal destination. Cruise ships traditionally operated from May through September, but that period can now extend into April and October, according to Cruise Lines International Association Alaska.
Alaska is known for its glaciers and snow-capped mountains, the summer is largely temperate before cooling over the course of the season.
“By July, daytime temperatures in the Interior can average in the 70° F range – although it has been known to reach well into the 90s – while temperatures in the coastal areas and higher elevations rarely get above 65° F,” the Travel Alaska website reads. “Temperatures across the state start cooling in August and September, triggering a riotous display of fall colors across Alaska’s tundra and forest landscapes.”
Spring and fall temperatures vary and may be warm during the day but cold at night.
Still, the climate can be unpredictable, according to Maguire. She said she has experienced days in the 30s during the cruise season. “You can get snow in June up there.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Forget the beach and flip flops: Try these cold-weather cruises
