Cruises Winter Cruise Options - article by High Quality Articles

Cruises - Winter Cruise Options

People who live in the Northern Hemisphere, especially parts of the U.S., tend to forget that there are lots of spots around the globe that are warm from October to May... and some all year round. That's good news for those eager for a cruise. You have lots of options.

There's a truly interesting cruise down the Nile, near Luxor, Egypt. Six nights to visit everything from the Aswan Dam to the Temple of Luxor and everything in between. Some of the ships used are much smaller than the usual mega-ship and have their own special charm.

Try the Oberoi Shehrazad, which sleeps 80 in twin-bed cabins. Despite the small size, there's a library on board and a sun deck and pool.

The Virgin Islands continue to be a popular destination. There are a dozen islands to explore from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke. On the pricey side, but the package often includes scuba diving and snorkeling around the reefs as part of the deal.

There are voyages on the mega-ships, but the SV Flying Cloud is a superior adventure. It sleeps 66, with a crew of only 28, and was built as a spy ship in the 1930s. That makes for a truly fascinating voyage you can write home about while sipping a Bloody Mary.

Maybe you're interested in a little taste of the Orient? There's a winter cruise to Thailand and Malaysia with 7-night voyages from Phuket. You'll see many of the exotic islands of the area such as Phi Phi and Ko Khai Nok. You'll also find a lot to do while you're there. Phi Phi has great diving, and just to walk around it is thrilling.

The Star Flyer carries 170 passengers and has a crew of 70. That's a ratio you don't see on the mega-ships. With large teak decks and two swimming pools, it's a delightful environment. There's even an Edwardian-style library so you can sit back and imagine you are a king or queen.

If you're interested in where Charles Darwin got some of his data for the theory of evolution, or just want to visit Ecuador, there's a cruise just for you. On this three-week voyage you can canoe up the Amazon and see some of the islands, including Santa Cruz and Genovesa. The Alta takes only 16 passengers plus a crew of eight, so the atmosphere is intimate, but each cabin has a private shower.

Finally, if you just can't get enough of snow and cold, there are even voyages to and around Scandinavia in the winter. Though some areas are blocked by ice, you will still find plenty of beautiful scenery, if snow covered land is what you like.

On the way, you may well see some killer whales near the Lofoten Islands. Or, you can go where you're only a few hundred miles from the North Pole. To each his own!

Check out a winter cruise and you'll discover that prices are often much better and the ships much less crowded than other voyages.