The best cool cruises to escape heatwave from Disney voyages to Scandi getaways

WELCOME to our Tuesday travel special, where each week we bring you inspiration for your holidays at home and abroad.

With the heatwave still affecting much of southern Europe, we’ve set our sights further north this week and have gathered up five cool cruises for summer.

4

BRITISH ISLES

HOW much of Britain have you actually seen?

If the answer is ‘not a lot’, then this 12-night voyage around the Netherlands and UK is certainly one for the bucket list.

Departing from Amsterdam, you’ll sail on board Royal Caribbean’s Jewel Of The Seas all the way to Scotland’s picturesque Inverness, from where it’s a short trip to Loch Ness, where the monster supposedly lurks.

The ship then heads for Greenock in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland, Liverpool, Holyhead in Wales, Waterford and Cork in Ireland and Dover, before returning to Amsterdam.

With so much to do on board, you may struggle to fit it all in with only two sea days– there’s a rock-climbing wall, a night club, video arcade and restaurant choices galore.

The 12-night cruise costs from £1,576pp, departing on August 16 and based on two people sharing an interior room.

See royalcaribbean.com.

ICELAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

4

WHEN it comes to cool destinations, Iceland certainly fits the bill and the best thing about this 11-night cruise on board Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Silhouette is that you won’t need to catch a flight.

Departing from Southampton, you’ll spend two days at sea before reaching Iceland’s Seydisfjordur.

From there, you’ll then move swiftly on to the country’s second largest city, Akureyri, which is also a great base for exploring Iceland’s longest fjord.

You’ll tick off two days in the capital Reykjavik, home to hot springs, before moving on to Belfast in Northern Ireland and St Peter Port in Guernsey.

When you’re not off exploring, you’ll have access to an excellent spa on the ship as well as top notch entertainment including a casino and theatre shows.

The 11-night cruise costs from £859pp, and this price is based on two people sharing an interior cabin or from £1,049pp for a balcony cabin, departing on August 29.

See cruisekings.co.uk.

FANTASTIC FJORDLAND

4

NORWAY is famous for its magnificent and vast fjords with 1,190 of them spread across the Scandinavian country, and you’ll get to tour the best of the bunch on this Majestic Fjordlands cruise.

The cruise will pass through Hardangerfjord, the world’s fifth-longest fjord, which stretches for 111 miles from the Atlantic into the mountains of Norway, as well as Sognefjord and Aurlandsfjord and the quiet village of Flam, home to a Viking village.

Sailing on Ambassador’s Ambience from London Tilbury, guests will have a wealth of entertainment at their fingertips from a multi-tiered theatre to a huge wellness spa with a gym and thermal suites.

The seven-night cruise is from £589pp, based on two sharing an inside twin cabin and departing on August 26.

See ambassadorcruiseline.com.

DISCOVER BALTIC COAST

4

THE coastal towns and cities of northern Germany are a mild 20C now and you’ll get to explore the best of the bunch on this seven-night river voyage with Viva Cruises.

Departing the traditional town of Stralsund, with its Gothic landmarks, you’ll sail the Baltic Sea to Greifswald, Lauterbach, Peenemünde and Wolgast, before venturing to Szczecin in Poland which has a marvellous cathedral.

You’ll barely be on the ship, but the MS Swiss Diamond features a wellness area with a sauna, a restaurant and a whirlpool.

The seven-night Baltic Coast Discovery cruise costs from £1,495pp, departing on either September 10, 24 or October 1 2023.

Book before August 14. See viva-cruises.com.

NORTHERN EUROPE

IF you’re holidaying with kids, then few cruises will keep them more entertained than a Disney Cruise.

Sailing on the magnificent Disney Dream, you’ll depart from Southampton and call at Brussels in Belgium, Copenhagen in Denmark and Oslo and Stavanger in Norway before returning to the UK.

The fun on board doesn’t stop, with 3D movies – Disney, of course – deck parties for all ages, an AquaDuck water coaster, live shows and kids’ clubs.

Adults don’t miss out either, with top notch restaurants, a nightclub and a spa.

The seven-night Northern Europe cruise costs from £1,262pp, based on two adults and two children sharing an inside cabin, departing Southampton on September 3.

See disneycruise.com or call 0800 169 0742.