Travel insights from Jenna Buege, associate editor of The Compass
While the temperatures might have some feeling like they’re vacationing in the frozen tundra (and in some cases, they very well may be …), there’s no reason for a chilly climate to keep travelers from venturing to these red-hot destinations. That’s right, Alaska, Norway, Iceland … these traditionally chilly spots have all earned a place atop many peoples’ bucket lists, and for good reason, they’re incredible.
Add a cruise ship into the mix and a cold-weather vacation can go from good to epic thanks to up-close-and-personal views of landscapes and wildlife and exclusive access to regions not always accessible by car. Want to learn more? Check out these seven cold weather cruising destinations that are hot, hot, hot.
Alaska
One of the top cruise destinations for U.S. travelers, Alaska attracts adventurers of all ages thanks to its unique landscape and wildlife. Not only can cruisers visit a variety of national parks — Glacier Bay, Denali, Gates of the Artic, Kenai Fjords … — but they’ll also have the opportunity to observe animals native to the state such as grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, moose and wolves on land and an array of whales, otters and seals by sea.
While national parks are a big draw for many, they are by no means the only thing to see while sailing The Last Frontier. In Juneau, travelers can partake in a wild adventure when they book a guided dog-sledding tour. In charming Ketchikan, guests can hop from one boat to another when they spend the day jigging at sea onboard the Aleutian Ballard crab boat. Or, for even more scenic views, travelers can ride the rails when they visit Skagway’s White Pass Railroad Ride, a historic route that passes mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, tunnels and more.
Ships That Sail There
While many popular cruise lines offer itineraries to The Great Land, U.S. News ranked the Seven Seas Explorer (Regent Seven Seas Cruises), the Silver Muse (Silversea Cruises) and the Seabourn Odyssey (Seabourn Cruise Line) as three of the top ships for an Alaskan expedition.
Antarctica
One of the most remote places on the planet, chilly Antarctica has a certain appeal to adventurous travelers. And luckily for cruise lovers, cruising is the most common way to access The 7th Continent. During their Antarctic journey, travelers will experience the beauty of this breathtaking bucket list destination as they sail amongst thriving penguin colonies, fur and elephant seals and pods of humpback whales. As for the scenery, glaciers and massive ice shelves stretch the length of the Antarctic Ocean for as far as the eye can see.
Upon docking, there’s an activity for every type of traveler to enjoy. Photography for the avid animal lover as they watch penguins scurry across the ice. A hike at Deception Island, home to an active volcano and the remains of ancient whale bones, for the budding Volcanist. Or an adventure at sea from the comfort of their very own ocean kayak for the active traveler.
Ships That Sail There
Whether they’re looking for a luxurious vessel or an economical choice, there’s plenty of variety to go around. According to Cruise Critic, Abercrombie & Kent, Hurtigruten Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic are among some of the best.
Arctic Circle
An otherworldly display of neon green, purple and blue sprawled across the night sky, “see the Northern Lights” is #travelgoals for many wanderlust-stricken folks. And interestingly enough, several of the countries that are best-know for this fantastic play of color — Iceland, Canada, Norway, Finland and Sweden — are members of the Arctic Circle which is easily accessible by cruise ship. 
But the Aurora Borealis isn’t the only natural phenomenon that sailors can observe near the North Pole, they’re also likely to encounter some majestic creatures such as whales, polar bears and narwhals (aka the unicorns of the sea). Top this off with the opportunity to trek across ancient glaciers and to explore massive fjords & inlets via kayak and travelers have themselves a rather unforgettable adventure.
Ships That Sail There
Travelers looking to explore this red-hot cold destination will find a handful of cruise lines eager to make the journey alongside them. However, as Elite Traveler notes, the Arctic is a precious and fragile ecosystem that deserves to be treated with the utmost care by travelers and the suppliers who get them there. That being said, EYOS Expeditions, Seabourn Arctic Cruises and Scenic Cruises are three of their top picks for the most environmentally friendly options.
Greenland
Measuring 836,000 square miles, Greenland is the largest island in the world. Pair the landmass’ sheer size with its sprawling landscapes and rugged terrain and any traveler is sure to feel small surrounded by the absolute beauty of Mother Nature. In addition to its icy, mountainous terrain, Greenland is inhabited by an impressive collection of magnificent beasts both by land and by sea such as polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, musk ox and a variety of whales, seals and more. 
Travelers embarking on an expedition to Greenland are in for a treat with itineraries jam-packed with once-in-a-lifetime activities like cruising the Greenland coast, observing animals in their natural habitat, photography, kayaking, helicopter tours, camping, fishing and more. Among the many interesting pitstops a cruise to Greenland might include, travelers will love seeing Nuuk — the island’s capital city where they can tour the town —, visiting museums and admiring local artwork. To further experience Greenlandic culture, travelers might consider stops in South Greenland, Sermermiut, Qasigiannguit and Aasiaat to experience a taste of Norse, Eskimo, Danish and Colonial history.
Ships That Sail There
Travelers who are ready to traverse Kalaallit Nunaat will find suitable itineraries when they sail with popular cruise lines like Hurtigruten and Explora Journeys.
Iceland
A place ripe with ancient volcanoes, spouting geysers, picturesque fjords and rushing waterfalls, Iceland, aka the Land of Fire and Ice, is truly unlike any other destination in the world. And travelers hoping to revel in the beauty of this unique land will find that a cruise is the perfect way to discover all that this majestic country has to offer.
Cruise-goers will find a roundtrip around this Nordic Island is filled with plenty of incredible pitstops. While every itinerary is unique, travelers can expect to spend their days exploring popular spots like Reykjavik — Iceland’s capital city —, the Westfjords — an area that’s home to large colonies of Arctic puffins —, ‘The Far North’ — a region where travelers can visit the Waterfall of the Gods, observe geothermal features at Lake Mývatn and munch on some herring in Siglufjordur —, the Eastfjords — a place with picturesque villages, rugged snowcapped landscape, waterfalls and moss-covered hills — and finally, the Westman Islands — a small fishing town where travelers will see Helgafell, a 5,000-year-old volcano.
Ships That Sail There
While there was a time when Iceland flew under the radar as far as popular travel destinations go, it seems that those days are over as millions of travelers flock to the Nordic country each year by air and by sea. Those of the seafaring variety name popular cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Windstar and Seabourn as some of the best for experiencing all that this chilly wonderland has to offer.
Norway
Beloved for its breathtaking fjords, rare arctic creatures and Nordic heritage and traditions, a visit to the Land of the Midnight Sun is like something from the pages of a fantasy novel. Rolling hills and jagged mountaintops coexist with coastal cities and quaint fishing villages, beckoning travelers to get lost in the charm and adventure of it all. Speaking of travelers, Norway has a little something for everyone. Active vacationers will love the region’s abundance of outdoor pursuits like hiking and skiing, history-buffs will geek out for opportunities to see how the Vikings lived many years ago, and foodies won’t be able to get enough of the country’s fresh salmon and seafood.
Those hoping to experience The Realm of The Polar Bears (yes, there really are more bears than humans in these parts) by ship will find a variety of ways to do so with coastal, river, fjord, Northern Lights and arctic itineraries.
Ships That Sail There
A cruise to Norway is a truly unforgettable experience. Wondering which ships are the best fit for the job? Cruise Critic recommends Hurtigruten, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises and P & O Cruises.
Patagonia
Did you know that Chile has nearly 5,000 islands? A cruise to the remote Chilean Fjords is an incredible way for travelers to experience the less-traveled regions of world-famous Patagonia. Isolated and inaccessible to even most locals, these hard-to-reach-inlets are typically accessed by small, custom-built ships specifically designed for this regional adventure. It’s not uncommon to see no other boats or people while cruising the Chilean Fjords, a sharp contrast to the jam-packed Torres del Paine National Park.
Inside the fjords, travelers will discover a world filled with ancient glaciers, bountiful wildlife, impressive waterfalls, dense forest and more. The contrasting landscape of snowy mountaintops, lush greenery and massive granite walls captivates and impresses as travelers drift past it all with ease.
Ships That Sail There
Whether they’re looking to experience the fjords onboard an intimate small ship or are looking for a larger vessel to set sail in, travelers might consider booking their Patagonian cruise with cruise liners such as Ponant, National Geographic, Hurtigruten and Azamara.
About the Author
Senior Editor for VAX VacationAccess and world explorer, Jenna loves writing about all things travel. When she’s not busy creating content, she spends her time exploring the great outdoors, cuddling with her two black cats and researching her next big (sometimes strange) adventure.
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