The Best Summer Trips to Escape the Heat
Every time summer approaches, I brace myself for hot days when I sweat just walking to my car and humid nights when mosquitoes attack. So when I plan my trip next summer (since Options for this year are scarce.), the last place I thought of was somewhere even warmer and more humid.
If you’re in the same boat—well, cruise ship—I’ll share the destinations I’m considering. Some are known for year-round cold-weather cruises; others are in the winter when we in the United States are dealing with sweltering heat.
Here are five ideal summer cruise destinations to escape to cooler climes.
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Alaska
Although the weather is Alaska Temperatures can vary day to day and reach as high as 90 degrees F in the summer, but generally you’ll find temperatures in the high 60s F to low 70s F, even in the hottest months.
Alaska can be a difficult place to get to if you’re planning on visiting a lot of places, but a cruise is a great way to explore the 49th state. Depending on the itinerary, you can enjoy hiking in the peaceful Tongass National Forest, surrounded by conifers that keep the area cool; book a salmon fishing trip to take advantage of the cool mornings on the water; or put on a sweatshirt and head out on the deck to enjoy the cool breezes as you sail through sea ice these days.
If you still need convincing, some lines offer pre- and post-trip land tours that you can add on. one way trip to alaska. Extend your trip and stay at properties with views of snow-capped Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, or the charming town of Dawson City in Canada’s Yukon Territory, where the Klondike and Yukon rivers meet. Plus, starting in mid-August, you can try to catch a glimpse of the mysterious, dazzling northern lights.
Related: The Best Alaska Cruises for Every Type of Traveler
North Pole
Imagine glaciers so compact they appear bright blue; when they break apart, the ice is pure enough to bring aboard your ship for use in cocktails. As you pull your hat down over your ears, you look to your right and spot seals lounging on a nearby iceberg, hoping to catch some lunch.
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The Arctic Cruise The season runs from May to November, making summer a great time to venture north — so far north, in fact, that you’ll enter the Arctic Circle. Whether you want to soak in an outdoor hot tub when your ship is just a few hundred miles from the top of the world or wake up to find yourself in the middle of an ice field, take your breath away?
Arctic cruises range from a week to two weeks in length and often include ports in Norway’s Svalbard, as well as Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. These trips are ideal for bucket list activities like polar bear watching and, of course, polar diving, where passengers jump off the side of the ship into waters that are around 80 or 85 degrees. Instead of lazing on a Caribbean beach, you’ll be diving into your own private, near-freezing sea.
Related: The Best Arctic Cruises, From One Who’s Tried Them All
Australia and New Zealand
If you miss winter so much, why not come back? The seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are opposite; if you visit Australia and New Zealand in June, July, and August, you’ll be experiencing winter. Temperatures in Australia during those months range from the 40s to the 60s. You won’t have to pack for blizzard conditions, but you won’t have to worry about blistering heat, either.
Cruises Australia and New Zealand from one-week cruises that just go around Australia to two-week cruises that depart from Australia and go to New Zealand and back. Some cruises even include islands in the South Pacific. Ultra-long cruises, such as around Asia and world cruisecan also call at ports in Australia.
In Australia, check out Melbourne’s winter night markets. Water-loving kids have plenty to enjoy, too; divers won’t want to miss the Great Barrier Reef cruises this time of year. If New Zealand is a big part of your itinerary, you might want to sample wine at one of Picton’s perfectly chilled cellars. Or, if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, visit the Hobbit Caves in Tauranga.
Northern Europe
The air in Scandinavia is truly different. It’s clean, crisp, and fresh in a way you can’t experience anywhere else, and it stays cool all year round (mid-60s to mid-70s F), even in the summer.
Take advantage of the weather by visiting Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens (one of the world’s oldest amusement parks) or learn about Danish history at Den Gamle By, an open-air museum in Aarhus. Pull up a chair at a cafe in Sweden’s Gothenburg to try one of its famous waffles or visit Stockholm’s Vasa Museum to see a nearly intact Viking ship.
And don’t forget Iceland, which has seen a surge in popularity among travelers in recent years. The starting point for these trips is often Reykjavik, where temperatures hover in the mid-50s in the summer. For a fun way to spend the day, head to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak in the warm waters. Head to the botanical gardens or whale watch if your ship stops at Akureyri.
Related: Best European Cruises: Standout Ships Across the Pond
Norwegian Fjords
For one of the most scenic itineraries ever, book a Norwegian fjord cruise. Visit Norway’s bustling Oslo, wander through the iconic Bryggen shops of Bergen and choose from great fish restaurants in Tromso.
You’ll want to hold your breath, though, for Geirangerfjord, where massive mountains with waterfalls cascade down either side of your ship as it docks at the fishing village of the same name. Make sure you make it to the top for some stunning photos — and enjoy average summer high temperatures in the mid-60s.
Last line
If you are someone who hates the heat, a boat trip to a cool weather location might be for you when the temperatures start to rise.
Whether you’re just cruising domestically to Alaska or heading further afield to Australia where the weather varies with the seasons, you’ll find plenty of summer cruise options to keep you cool.
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