Escape the heat: cooler places to cruise this summer

At a glance

• A ‘coolcation’ is a summer holiday taken in a cooler climate instead of a traditional hot weather destination, such as the Mediterranean
• Popular ‘coolcation’ cruise destinations span Northern Europe and North America, with highlights like the Nordics and Alaska
• In this guide, we'll cover our top 'coolcation' destination picks, why they’re worth sailing in summer and which cruise line to consider going with

What is a ‘coolcation’?

The hottest trend in summer travel right now? Swapping sizzling sunshine for cool, crowd-free escapes. More and more travellers are skipping destinations known for their blistering heat in favour of milder climes.

And it’s not hard to see why. Record-breaking heatwaves are becoming increasingly common, with classic cruise spots across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe – think Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Spain – hitting highs above 45 °C. One spot in Italy even recorded a sweltering 48.8 °C in 2021.

At those kinds of temperatures, doing anything outside of air conditioning is practically impossible – not exactly what you want from a summer sailing. That’s why 'coolcations', as industry insiders have dubbed them, are getting their time in the sun. Here are a few standout destinations that have made our summer wish lists.

Iceland

What’s the weather like in summer?

Iceland’s weather is at its mildest and most pleasant in the summer, with up to 23 hours of daylight. Depending on where you sail, temperatures tend to hover around 13 °C. The west coast is often the warmest, thanks to the Gulf Stream bringing currents from the south. On particularly balmy days, it can even climb to up to 20 °C.

However, it’s worth noting the wind – Iceland gets plenty. So much so that the Icelandic language has well over a hundred different words for it, from gola (a gentle breeze) to allhvass (a moderate gale). It’s part of what makes it such a refreshing place to visit, a far cry from the stifling, still heat of a destination like Dubai.

Why is summer a good time to sail?

Many cruisers opt to sail the Land of Fire and Ice in summer. The midnight sun illuminates everything from thundering waterfalls that cast their own rainbows to Diamond Beach, where shards of glacial ice sparkle against black sand. You’ll also find subterranean lava caves and geothermal lagoons – all more accessible at this time of year.

It's also peak season for wildlife. Millions of puffins gather in colonies across remote islets, while seal pups bask beside their mothers on rocky shores. You can even enjoy shore excursions riding native Icelandic horses through the dramatic landscapes.

For many cruisers, however, the highlight is whale watching. Look out for fin, sperm and humpback whales – with a stroke of luck, you might even glimpse an elusive blue.

Which cruise line should I sail with?

You can find quality summer itineraries from Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruise Line starting at under £1,000 per person, excluding flights, as well as excellent luxury options from Oceania Cruises, Ponant and Seabourn at a higher price point.

The Baltic Sea 

What’s the weather like?

Summer around the Baltic is comfortably warm, while rarely reaching the sizzling heights of the Med. Cruises often stop in capitals like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Riga, where average summer temperatures sit in the high teens to low 20s °C – ideal for sightseeing without breaking a sweat.

Why is summer a good time to sail?

The cities strung along the Baltic each bring something special to summer. Take Copenhagen, which is now firmly one of Europe’s ‘it’ destinations. It puts the cool in coolcation with its trend-forward food scene (as seen in The Bear), not to mention an art scene that runs from indie galleries to the world-class Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

It’s also steeped in history, from the old-world magic of Tivoli Gardens amusement park, open since 1843, to the Little Mermaid statue and other odes to Hans Christian Andersen.

Meanwhile, Tallinn’s cobbled old town feels lifted straight from a medieval fairytale, and Stockholm’s beloved coffee culture is all its own, defined by the hard-to-translate concept of fika.

Across the region, islet hopping, wild swimming and muscle-melting sauna sessions are practically a summer ritual. And if you time your cruise just right, you can witness actual rituals, too, as cities are illuminated by midsummer celebrations – picture bonfires, maypoles and locals toasting long into the twilight.

Who should I sail with?

Princess has a wide range of itineraries, including both fly-cruises and ones sailing from the UK, as well as ones that combine the Baltic with the Norwegian fjords. Alternatively, Regent Seven Seas provides an impressive ultra-luxury option. See our full guide to the best Baltic Sea cruises for more options.

Alaska

What’s the weather like?

Alaska is over seven times the size of Britain, so needless to say, the weather isn’t precisely the same everywhere. However, what’s guaranteed wherever you go is long, cold winters and short, intense summers.

You can roughly expect the following:

• Inside Passage, south and interior: daytime highs in the early 20s °C
• Far north or Arctic: daytime highs of 5 °C

While the weather can be unpredictable – with misty mornings often giving way to clear skies – summer remains the best season to visit. If it’s cool you’re after, few places deliver it – in every sense – quite like Alaska.

Why is summer a good time to sail?

In a word: wildlife. Summer is peak time for whale watching, with humpbacks and minkes regularly spotted along the coast. It’s also when you’re most likely to see bald eagle fledglings and young moose, born in late spring, exploring the wilderness.

One of the most fascinating seasonal spectacles is the salmon run. As millions of fish surge upstream to spawn, bears gather at rivers to feast.

Cruisers also have a chance to witness glacier calving: when active glaciers shed huge chunks of ice into the sea. It’s a thunderous display best watched from the water.

And then there’s the light. In parts of the state, the sun barely sets, giving you time to make the most of it all, from kayaking quiet inlets and hiking remote trails to learning about Alaska’s indigenous cultures and traditions.

Which cruise line should I sail with?

Holland America Line is a classic option – it’s been sailing the state for almost 80 years and has a longstanding connection to Alaskan communities and the know-how to seek out natural phenomena at their most dazzling. There are plenty of other options to choose from as well, depending on what you have in mind – here’s our complete guide to the best cruises to visit Alaska.

Norwegian fjords 

What’s the weather like?

Summer is considered the best time to sail the Norwegian fjords, with the weather at its gentlest, typically ranging between the mid-teens and low 20s °C. That said, conditions can be mercurial, as is often the case along the North Sea. What you can count on is long days – this is the land of the midnight sun.

Why is summer a good time to sail?

It’s peak season for this bucket-list destination, and it’s easy to see why – quite literally. While you won’t witness the Northern Lights, the landscapes offer up plenty of visually arresting sights. Sheer rock faces give way to cascading waterfalls, glacial waters gleam beneath pale blue skies and forests and wildflower-strewn meadows are at their lushest.

It's a fantastic time for active pursuits in the great outdoors, from wild swimming and kayaking on mirror-calm waters to cycling, hiking and birdwatching on shore. If you’re very lucky, you might even spot reindeer grazing in the Norwegian wilderness.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s excellent seasonal cuisine to enjoy. On local menus, you’ll find fjord-to-fork eating at its finest – think just-caught seafood and traditional desserts made with cloudberries and currants freshly ripened. Alfresco drinks are very much on the cards too. Norwegians even have a word for having a beer outside: utepils.

Who should I sail with?

Heritage Norwegian lines like Hurtigruten and Havila are excellent for authenticity and sustainability, but there are plenty more options to choose from. See our full guide for all our top picks.

NEXT: Looking for cruise recommendations for a partner?

• The Best Cruises for Couples

Scotland

What’s the weather like?

Scottish summers are mild, with average highs usually sitting in the high teens or low 20s °C. But as locals will tell you, it’s entirely possible to experience all four seasons on a single summer day. Changeable skies are part of the adventure.

One of the biggest perks of a summer visit? The long, light-filled days. Shetland gets around three hours more daylight than London around the solstice.

Why is summer a good time to sail?

From the Highlands to islands, Scotland offers a remarkable range of landscapes to explore by ship. Whether you’re sailing the open water or gliding through sea lochs, there’s plenty to discover from coast to croft. Think age-old ruins and piquant seafood, best washed down with peaty malt whisky. The diversity of natural wonders, from beaches with waters so turquoise they rival the Caribbean to Skye's mysterious rock formations and shimmering Fairy Pools, makes it an undenaibly intriguing place to sail.

Shetland is particularly enticing in late June, when you can experience the simmer dim: a local word for when the sun barely dips below the horizon, casting an otherworldly twilight that lingers through the night.

Which cruise line should I sail with?

There are great no-fly options from a wide variety of cruise lines, with P&O Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines leading the pack. Meanwhile, Hebridean Island Cruises includes the ship that Queen Elizabeth II once chartered. You can also sail aboard a traditional ketch. Read our full guide to the best cruises to the Scottish islands to weigh up your options.