At a glance
- The Dalmatian Coast and Provence offer idyllic Mediterranean escapes
- ‘Coolcation’ destinations like Iceland are great for travellers looking to escape the heat
- Bermuda is a good alternative to the Caribbean, without the threat of torrential rain
- Expedition cruisers looking for a bucket-list experience might opt for Greenland
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 help you make the most of July.
Is July a good time for a cruise?
Yes, July is one of the best months to cruise. It’s the height of summer across much of the Northern Hemisphere, meaning a huge range of destinations are at their most appealing. Europe, in particular, comes into its own, from the sun-dappled shores of the Mediterranean to the cooler climes of Scandinavia.
That said, July is also a month where you need to choose carefully. It’s monsoon season in parts of the Indian Ocean and hurricane season in the Caribbean, and both are becoming increasingly unpredictable with climate change.
That’s why we’ve picked five destinations you can count on for excellent cruising in July, plus provided top tips to help you make the most of them.
Best July cruise for summer heat: Croatia and Montenegro
Why here, why now: If you’re looking for sun, sea and endless sky, you’ll find it along this beguiling stretch of Adriatic coast.
The water glitters in shades of sapphire and turquoise, against a backdrop of medieval towns and rugged limestone cliffs. Scattered offshore, thousands of jewel-like islets await. Hvar, for example, has long been a bolthole for the rich and famous, while Mljet offers pine-shaded paths and salt lakes ideal for swimming.
When you’re not island-hopping, snorkelling or simply lazing in the sun, you might spend your time sipping vintages at boutique wineries or exploring local café culture. Both give you a taste of polako – the South Slavic art of taking things slow.
There’s just one caveat before you book. While Croatia and Montenegro are incredible in July, the key to experiencing them at their best is choosing an itinerary that mixes marquee ports and boutique ones. The big-ticket stops are worth seeing, but they can be heavily touristed; it helps to balance that bustling energy with quieter sanctuaries.
Weather: Expect long, sun-soaked days with average temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.
Top stops: Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar, Mljet, Vis and Zadar in Croatia; Kotor and Bar in Montenegro.
Who to sail with: Savvy cruisers will recommend small ships that can access smaller, less crowded ports that big ships can’t reach. Sail Croatia offers boutique vessels and carefully curated itineraries, each suited to different age groups and travel styles. Alternatively, for an ultra-luxury option, look to Seabourn. One of its many advantages is world-class dining onboard, including exquisite Mediterranean fare.
Price: Sail Croatia fares vary based on the style of sailing you select, but good-quality cruises likely to suit guests of a wide range of ages start at around £1,500. Seabourn’s seven-day sailings start at around £3,700. Both exclude flights.
Best for a July river cruise: The Rhône
Why here, why now: Admittedly, July is a busier month along the Rhône, but the crowds come for good reason. This is when you can experience a postcard-perfect version of Provence, with fields full of lavender and sunflowers turning their faces to the light.
Plus, there’s plenty more to appeal beyond the flowers. Gourmets can linger over Michelin-starred dining in Lyon, or lose themselves in the bustle of Provençal markets and sunlit vineyards. History buffs might spend their days tracing the fates of gladiators in Roman amphitheatres, while art lovers follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles.
Depending on when you sail, you may also be able to enjoy some of the region’s festivities. Rencontres d’Arles is a world-renowned photography festival that’s been running since 1970, while Festival d’Avignon transforms a historic papal palace into a venue for the arts. Of course, Bastille Day is the real highlight, celebrated with picnics, pétanque and fireworks.
Weather: Expect long, bright days with little chance of rain. July temperatures typically sit in the high 20s or low 30s, though heatwaves can send the mercury soaring.
Top stops: Lyon (often where Rhône cruises begin or end), Viviers, Vienne, Tournon-sur-Rhône, Tain l’Hermitage, Arles, Avignon and Port-Saint-Louis.
Who to sail with:Riviera Travel offers plenty of choice, with departures across UK airports and options ranging from art-themed itineraries to sailings reserved entirely for solo travellers. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, meanwhile, is a top-of-the-market option, with ships known for their lavish interiors (think bespoke chandeliers and original artwork). Both lines also feature pools on board, ideal for cooling off in the Mediterranean heat.
Price: At the time of writing, Riviera Travel fares start at around £2,200 for a July sailing, with return air or train fare included. Uniworld fares begin at about £4,130, including flights.
Best July cruise to escape the heat: Iceland
Why here, why now: Iceland is an excellent destination for a ‘coolcation’ – a voyage where you escape the heat instead of sailing towards it. But beyond mild temperatures, there’s so much more that makes it worth visiting in July.
With nearly 24 hours of daylight, you have ample time to explore its unique terrain, much of which is at its most attractive. Fields come alive with green moss and purple lupine, forming idyllic backdrops for hikes and horse-riding.
Waterfalls thunder with meltwater from ice and snow, some casting their own rainbows in the midnight sun. It’s also possible to explore lava caves that are unsafe to visit in winter, glimpsing their eerie subterranean worlds.
Wildlife lovers also have good reason to visit. Millions of puffins gather in colonies across remote islets, while seals bask in the sun. Various species of whales, such as humpbacks, glide through the surrounding waters.
Weather: In July, average temperatures hover in the low to mid-teens, though they sometimes climb to 20C. That said, the climate has an unpredictable streak, so be prepared for the occasional curveball. One thing you can generally count on, however, is the wind. There’s a reason Icelandic has more than a hundred words for it, from gola (a gentle breeze) to allhvass (a moderate gale).
Top stops: Reykjavík, Seyðisfjörður, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Heimaey, Grundarfjörður and Djúpivogur.
Who to sail with:Regent Seven Seas is one of the most luxurious ways to explore Iceland, with perks like unlimited included shore excursions. Celebrity Cruises, meanwhile, offers a premium experience at a fraction of the price of ultra-luxury lines. It’s a particularly strong option for families looking for a memorable holiday.
Price: At the time of writing, you can find week-long Celebrity sailings to Iceland for under £700 per person. Regent Seven Seas, meanwhile, costs from around £5,000 for a week, excluding flights.
Best July cruise for a far-flung escape: Bermuda
Why here, why now: This British Overseas Territory is often grouped in with the Caribbean, but you’ll actually find it in the middle of the Atlantic, over 950 miles away.
That means it has completely different weather patterns than destinations like Antigua or Belize. While they see heavy downpours in July, this island paradise is in the middle of high season, with hot, sunny days and much less rainfall.
Cruise-goers can expect abundant sunshine and pink sand beaches sloping into bath-warm seas. It’s a good place for water sports, from kayaking and surfing to paddleboarding and parasailing. Snorkelling and diving are particularly popular thanks to reefs and shipwrecks waiting to be explored.
Back on land, visitors can enjoy world-class golf courses and famous crystal caves. If you’re looking for complete relaxation, there’s plenty to be had, too, preferably with a rum cocktail in hand. After all, both the Dark ‘n’ Stormy and Rum Swizzle were invented here.
Your sailing might also coincide with significant dates in the Bermudian calendar. Emancipation Day, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people, is usually marked at the end of July, directly followed by Mary Prince Day, honouring the author and abolitionist. The two public holidays are marked with Cup Match, a cricket celebration that brings the island together.
Weather: Expect hot, sunny days in the high 20s to low 30s. Humidity can be high, though usually less oppressive than in the Caribbean. July does fall within Atlantic hurricane season, but Bermuda is rarely hit directly, and the strongest storms tend to arrive later in the summer or in autumn.
Top stops: Royal Naval Dockyard, Hamilton and St George’s in Bermuda.
Who to sail with:Norwegian Cruise Line has a good selection of Bermuda sailings in July. Royal Caribbean International offers shorter itineraries with plenty of family-friendly amenities. Both cruise lines combine Bermuda with US ports such as New York, Boston or Baltimore.
Price: NCL’s seven-day sailings start from under £800. Royal Caribbean International has five-night sailings from under £700. Both of these exclude airfare.
Best July cruise for wildlife: Greenland
Why here, why now: This is the world’s largest island, with a vast and varied landscape featuring scores of fjords and an ice sheet spanning hundreds of thousands of square miles. Owing to its unique geography and size, roads between its scattered settlements are few and far between, making a voyage by ship the most rewarding way to explore.
That’s particularly true in July, when ice melts and fjords and bays that are inaccessible in colder months become navigable.
Better yet, it’s peak wildlife watching season. Whales are the highlight for many travellers, with up to 15 different species moving through Greenlandic waters. Humpbacks, minkes and fins are regular summer visitors, while orcas, narwhals, belugas and even the elusive blue may appear if luck is on your side.
On land, the tundra comes to life as Arctic fox pups tumble from their dens, while reindeer, muskox and Arctic hares graze on fresh shoots and wildflowers.
All of this unfolds under the midnight sun, which bathes swathes of Greenland in light for months on end, turning every encounter into something otherworldly.
Weather: Given that it’s the largest island in the world, Greenland’s climate varies dramatically. What we can say is, if you’re dreaming of sizzling heat, this is not the destination for you. July is the warmest month of the year and in some spots can hit the dizzying heights of 20C, but in others it still dips below freezing.
Top stops:Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq, Maniitsoq, Disko Island, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq and Sisimiut.
Who to sail with: HX is an industry leader, with plenty to recommend it. Its all-inclusive approach includes daily excursions, hands-on activities in the onboard Science Centre and a complimentary expedition jacket. Silversea, meanwhile, offers an extravagant, ultra-personalised experience. Think butler service in every suite as well as adventurous Zodiac excursions.
Price: A 17-day July sailing with HX costs from about £9,100, at the time of writing. A seven-day Silversea sailing of Greenland starts at £7,470. Both exclude international flights.
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