At a glance
- January is peak winter sun season, with warm-weather escapes in the Caribbean, Canary Islands and Southeast Asia
- Expect everything from no-fly Canaries sailings to far-flung adventures across South America and Asia
- It’s prime time for Antarctic expeditions, with lengthy daylight hours and jaw-dropping wildlife spotting opportunities
- Post-Christmas deals and quieter ships make it a great month for savvy cruisers to snag some great value fares
Why trust us?
World of Cruising, along with our sister publication, Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK’s most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea and sailed with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. Here, that expertise informs our list of the five best cruise destinations to start your year right.
Is January a good time for a cruise?
Yes, believe it or not, January is one of the best months to cruise, especially if you’re craving a long-overdue dose of winter sun. While the UK shivers, you’ll experience blissfully warm destinations across the Caribbean, Canary Islands or Southeast Asia, plus a choice of no-fly options for those who prefer to sail from home.
Another big advantage? January often means lower fares and quieter ships, making it an ideal time to travel. Post-festive lulls frequently bring price drops, while peak-season sunshine in far-flung regions guarantees great weather without summer crowds.
Best of all, January has its own standout highlights and unique charms. Antarctica is at its most accessible, with long daylight hours and extraordinary wildlife sightings, while tropical hotspots are basking in perfect beach conditions. For many cruisers, it’s the ultimate time to swap grey skies for blue horizons.
Best for winter sun: Canary Islands & Morocco
Why here, why now: January in the Canary Islands is all about springlike conditions and bright, dry days – ideal for hiking volcanic trails, exploring lunar-like landscapes or strolling the palm-lined promenades. Adding Morocco brings a splash of spice markets, Moorish architecture and North African culture.
For those craving winter sun without a long flight, this region delivers. You’ll enjoy compact itineraries with plenty of time ashore, to truly enjoy your ports of call.
Weather: Expect daytime highs of 19-22°C in the Canaries, and similar in Morocco, with low rainfall and gentle breezes.
Top ports: Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma feature heavily on classic itineraries, often paired with Casablanca or Agadir in Morocco.
Who to sail with: Azamara excels, with immersive itineraries and late-night port calls. P&O Cruises offers no-fly sailings from Southampton, making it easy to skip airports altogether.
Price: P&O’s no-fly cruises from Southampton begin at roughly £900. A seven-night Azamara voyage typically starts around £1,200 per person, excluding flights.
Best for beaches: The Caribbean
Why here, why now: January is prime time for Caribbean cruising, with hot, dry weather across islands like Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua. After the festive rush, ships are quieter and deals are much easier to find, making it a sweet spot for winter sun without Christmas prices.
By January, the hurricane season is a fading memory, and skies are reliably clear. Warm seas mean lazy beach days, snorkelling over coral reefs and swimming with stingrays are all on the agenda – ideal if you’re craving a welcome dose of winter warmth after months and months of dreary British weather.
Weather: Expect daily highs of around 28-30 °C and sea temperatures hovering at a balmy 26 °C.
Top ports: Highlights include Bridgetown (Barbados), St John’s (Antigua), Philipsburg (St Maarten), Castries (St Lucia) and Basseterre (St Kitts).
Who to sail with:Royal Caribbean International offers Caribbean itineraries packed with resort-style fun – think water parks, Broadway-style shows and island-hopping adventures – just the thing for families and couples alike. Alternatively, Celebrity Cruises brings a more refined take on the tropics, with sleek ships, upscale dining and intelligently curated shore excursions.
Price: At the time of writing, a seven-night Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean starts from around £950 per person, excluding flights. Celebrity Cruises’ more upscale itineraries typically begin around £1,500, while ultra-luxury or extended sailings can climb beyond £2,000.
Best for wildlife: An Antarctica expedition
Why here, why now: January is the best month to cruise Antarctica. Why? Long daylight hours, relatively mild conditions and incredible wildlife encounters. Expect to see bustling penguin colonies with newly hatched chicks, plus seals basking on ice floes and whales breaching in icy waters.
This is expedition cruising at its finest, with expert-led landings, kayaking trips and zodiac rides that bring you up close to towering glaciers and sculpted icebergs. Combine this with the luxury of a small, all-inclusive ship, and it’s a dream voyage for adventurous travellers.
Weather: Average temperatures hover around 0 °C, with extended daylight of up to 20 hours for optimal wildlife viewing and photography.
Top ports: Most itineraries depart from Ushuaia, Argentina, sailing across the Drake Passage to reach the Antarctic Peninsula, with some voyages adding South Georgia and the Falklands.
Who to sail with: Silversea Expeditions blends luxury with adventure, featuring butler service, fine dining and seasoned expedition teams. Alternatively, HX offers eco-conscious sailings on hybrid-powered ships, combining comfort with cutting-edge sustainability.
Price: At the time of writing, Silversea’s 10-night expeditions start from around £11,000 per person, while HX's voyages are priced from approximately £7,500, both excluding flights. Longer itineraries, including South Georgia or the Falklands, cost more.
Best for a cultural adventure: South America
Why here, why now: January is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, bringing long, hot days to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. From samba-filled Rio de Janeiro to the café culture of Buenos Aires, this region fuses vibrant cities with sweeping coastal scenery.
Cruising offers an effortless way to sample its contrasts: think beach time in Búzios, wine tasting near Montevideo, and tango shows in Buenos Aires – all without unpacking more than once.
Weather: Anticipate balmy highs of 28-32 °C with plenty of sunshine, particularly along Brazil’s coast.
Top ports: Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Búzios are standout stops, with some itineraries venturing further south to Puerto Madryn or Punta del Este.
Who to sail with:MSC Cruises brings stylish, great-value sailings packed with energy, perfect for families and groups. For a more upscale take, Regent Seven Seas offers fine dining and immersive excursions.
Price: MSC’s seven-night South American cruises start from around £850 per person, while Regent’s luxury options begin at around £4,500, reflecting their all-inclusive extras.
Best for bucket-list voyages: Southeast Asia
Why here, why now: January is one of the best months to explore Southeast Asia, with warm, dry weather across Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. From Halong Bay’s limestone karsts to the white-sand beaches of Phuket, this region blends sun-soaked relaxation with rich cultural immersion.
This is also festival season: think thrilling Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam (Tết often falls in January) or bustling night bazaars in Bangkok. Cruising offers a seamless way to sample multiple countries in one trip, without the hassle of multiple flights or visas.
Weather: Expect daytime highs of 28-32° and calm seas, perfect for both sightseeing and beach days.
Top ports: Popular stops include Singapore, Bangkok (via Laem Chabang), Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Penang and Langkawi.
Who to sail with: Princess Cruises pairs classic comfort with engaging shore excursions, from floating markets to UNESCO-listed temples. For a more boutique feel, Seabourn offers intimate ships with five-star service and in-depth cultural tours.
Price: At the time of writing, a 10-night Princess itinerary starts from around £1,200 per person, excluding flights. Seabourn’s ultra-luxury voyages typically begin around £3,000, with longer, more immersive sailings priced higher.
Looking for some more inspo for your January cruise?
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