Best Cruises in Winter

People who live in the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of the U.S., tend to forget that there are lots of spots around the globe that are warm from October to May... and some all year round. That means there's always a cruise sailing somewhere around the globe.  So, what are some of the best cruises in winter?

Nile Cruises

Cruises on the Nile have to be some of the best winter cruising you'll find. There you have your option of 3 to 7-night cruises from the Aswan Dam to the Temple of Luxor (or Luxor to Aswan), with shore excursions visiting such fascinating attractions as:

• Temple of Dendera
• Valley of the Kings and Queens
• Colossi of Memnon
• Karnak & Luxor Temples
• Temple of Horus
• Granite Quarries

Most of the ships cruising the Nile are much smaller than the usual mega-ship and have their own special charm.  Try the Oberoi Shehrazad, which sleeps 80 in twin-bed cabins. Despite the small size, there's a library on board and a sun deck and pool. Or, check out the Sonesta Moon Goddess, considered one of the best Nile cruise ships. The Sonesta Moon Goddess has 49 luxurious cabins, all with their won private balcony.

Virgin Island Cruises

The Virgin Islands is also another popular winter cruise destination.  There are a dozen islands to explore from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke.  There are voyages on the mega-ships, but the smaller SeaDream Yacht, with a guest capacity of 115, is a superior adventure. SeaDream has won numerous accolades, including being named the “World’s Best” in the Small Passenger Shipping Line category by a recent Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Poll.

Thailand and Malaysia Cruises

Thailand and Malaysia are also two destinations to be included in the "Best Cruises in Winter" list. Ports of call on a Thailand and Malaysia cruise might include:

• Penang, Malaysia - Home to the Kek Lok Si Temple, considered one of the finest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia
• Phuket, Thailand - Thailand's largest island, known for its spectacular beaches
• Langkawi, Malaysia - An island with some of the best swimming and diving in the world

If you enjoy a small ship with superior service, you may want to sail on the Star Clipper, a tall ship which carries 170 guests. With a crew of over 70 you know you'll be well cared for. With large teak decks, two swimming pools, and an Edwardian-style library with fireplace, you can explore Thailand and Malaysia in style. 

Galapagos Islands Cruises

If you're interested in where Charles Darwin got some of his data for the theory of evolution, or just want to take in the beauty of the Galapagos Islands, there's a winter cruise just for you. The Galapagos archipelago is a cluster of 13 volcanic islands, islets and rocks approximately 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America. Considered one of the most active volcanic areas in the world, the Galapagos make a perfect winter getaway. 

If you have the money and want the ultimate in small-ship privacy, go for the Alta sailing ship operated by Quasar Expeditions. The Alta takes only 16 passengers plus a crew of eight and 1 naturalist, so the atmosphere is intimate, but each cabin has a private shower. Their 7-night cruise visits Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands. The Alta has been named Yacht of the Month in the past by Yachting Magazine.

For more info on the different yacht choices for the Galapagos, see our page on Galapagos Island Tours

Synonyms:  Cruses, cruies, crusises, crusies, curises, cuise, crusis, cruces, crise, cruis, cruse, and cruize are typos for "cruise" or "cruises."