Save £30 when you spend £1,600+ with code SAVE30, or £60 when you spend £3,000+ with code SAVE60. Available on selected leading cruise lines and sailings departing from 15 Jan 2027.
Tired of cold, wet weather? Sometimes, a winter sun cruise is the perfect solution to your winter blues, but deciding where to go for sun in winter can be tricky. If you’ve never cruised before, what’s the right choice? If you’re craving a warm holiday that departs from the UK…
Read MoreTired of cold, wet weather? Sometimes, a winter sun cruise is the perfect solution to your winter blues, but deciding where to go for sun in winter can be tricky. If you’ve never cruised before, what’s the right choice?
If you’re craving a warm holiday that departs from the UK and lets you see several destinations without repacking your luggage, here are some of the best winter sun destinations, as chosen by our Cruise Experts.
Sun-worshippers return to Tenerife year after year, tempted by temperatures that hover in the mid-twenties throughout November and December. Just a few hours from the UK, the Canary Islands offer a different weather and terrain experience, and Tenerife comes out on top for guaranteed sun and varied shore excursions.
Golfers will find world-class courses, while Mount Teide suits those seeking active afternoons and fantastic views across the coast. Those who shudder at the thought of such exertion can head out onto the water for catamaran cruises and whale watching, or choose from Tenerife’s many immaculate beaches. Despite the island’s volcanic origins, it has its fair share of golden sands to enjoy all winter long
Cruise Expert Tip: Tenerife can get a little bit chilly in January, with cooler breezes sweeping the island. For guaranteed winter sun, November and February are perfect.
Chase the sun to the Arabian Gulf, where Dubai’s futuristic cityscapes meet beach fun. Pure, unadulterated luxury is the order of the day in this destination, and miles upon miles of glorious golden sands are sure to push thoughts of dreary winter weekdays to the back of your mind.
Temperatures here top 30 degrees in November, and this city of excess offers plenty of ways to get out and about in the sun. Extravagant al fresco brunches on the beach are par for the course in this man-made metropolis, along with desert safaris, world-beating waterparks and cocktails sipped in style atop the Burj Khalifa.
Cruise Expert Tip: Temperatures are noticeably hotter in February and March, so if you prefer more comfortable heat, be sure to set sail earlier in winter.
Madeira is so much more than a stepping stone across the Atlantic. The Portuguese archipelago sits just over 300 miles from the coast of Africa and enjoys year-round warmth that’s great for the soul and crucial to its beautiful plant life. The ‘Isle of Flowers’ is a garden paradise, blanketed in botanical gardens that bloom in abundance when the trees at home are down to bare branches.
Visit Quinta do Bom Sucesso, one of the island’s most beautiful parks, and take the Botanical Gardens Cable Car back down to the coast, soaking up views across sun-streaked Funchal Bay and the Valley of Ribeira de João Gomes along the way. Later, leisurely afternoon strolls in Funchal’s handsome Old Town should be punctuated with pauses for morning-fresh seafood and a dessert of Madeira’s sweet wine.
Cruise Expert Tip: Located in the Atlantic, Madeira evenings can be a touch cooler than those in the Caribbean or the Middle East, so pack a cardigan or jacket.
The satisfaction of reclining on white Caribbean sands while knowing you’re escaping the ice-cold morning commute can’t be beaten. You can be on a beach within 10 minutes of arriving in Aruba, the Caribbean’s happy island, and Aruba’s golden shores have appeared on nearly every ‘World’s Best Beaches’ list.
If you like your winter sun served with a slice of paradise, this is your place. Grab a snorkel and head to Malmok Beach, or join the locals at Arashi Beach, tucking into a rum punch and roti at lunch. The island’s Dutch origins are clear for all to see in Aruba’s lively waterfront capital, Oranjestad, where the diamonds are discounted and the cocktails are cold.
Cruise Expert Tip: Winter Caribbean voyages fall outside the region’s main hurricane season, so you don’t need to worry about weather interrupting your itinerary.
If you’re a first-time cruiser, finding a convenient itinerary that sails directly from the UK might be just as important as choosing the best destination. It can be daunting if you’ve never sailed before, so here are our Cruise Experts’ essential tips for getting your winter voyage right:
We recommend both the Caribbean and the Canary Islands as destinations that offer reliable weather and plenty of activities in December. If you want more December destination options, our Cruise Experts will be happy to help.
During the winter, you need to sail south at least 1,500 miles (approx.) to get away from the cooler winter weather of the Northern Hemisphere. Destinations in this area with warmer, more comfortable temperatures include Morocco, the Canary Islands, Spain and Portugal.
Book your next cruise getaway with all the major cruise lines available at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.
