Winter Sun Cruises
When the days grow short and grey at home, a winter sun cruise points you towards warmer shores. Sail from the UK with no airport queues and no early flights, or join a fly-cruise closer to the sunshine, and the journey begins the moment you step on board. From the year-round warmth of the Canary Islands to the colourful coastlines of the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, our hand-crafted itineraries are shaped around the places our guests most want to explore and the time they want to spend there.
Why sail on a winter sun cruise with Fred. Olsen
Our ships are smaller, which changes everything about the experience. They reach harbours the larger ships sail past, tie up closer to the heart of a town, and keep plenty of outside deck space for the simple pleasure of watching the coast slip by in the sunshine. On board, the welcome is warm, friendly and sincere, with service from people who remember your name rather than a script. Add talks and workshops that bring each destination to life before you arrive, and the days at sea become as rewarding as the days ashore.
Where to find your winter sun
The Canary Islands and Cape Verde offer dependable warmth right through the winter months, with volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches and unhurried island towns. Portugal and the islands of Madeira and the Azores reward the journey with gardens, harbour walks and Atlantic light. Further afield, a Caribbean crossing trades the chill for turquoise water and easy, sun-filled days on deck, while the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands keep their charm long after the summer crowds have gone. Each region carries its own character, and our itineraries are built to let you settle into it rather than tick it off.
Sailing from the UK, or flying to the sun
If you would rather not fly, many of our winter sun cruises depart directly from UK ports, so your holiday starts as soon as you board. Prefer to reach the warmth sooner? A fly-cruise shortens the sailing distance and gives you more time in the sunshine, with the same smaller-ship welcome waiting when you arrive.
More ways to cruise this winter
A winter sun cruise is one of several ways to spend the colder months at sea. For sailings of every kind between November and February, explore our winter cruises. To mark the season itself, our Christmas and New Year cruises bring festive traditions on board, while our Christmas market cruises sail to the twinkling stalls and squares of Europe's loveliest festive cities.
Winter sun cruise FAQs
Where can I go for winter sun on a cruise?
Our warm-weather sailings take in the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean and Greek Islands. Each offers a different pace and landscape, so you can choose the one that suits the holiday you have in mind.
When is the best time for a winter sun cruise?
The Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Madeira hold their warmth across the winter, making them a reliable choice from November through to early spring. The Caribbean is at its most settled during these months too.
Do I have to fly to reach the sunshine?
Not at all. Many of our winter sun cruises sail from UK ports, so there is no need to fly. If you would like to reach warmer waters more quickly, a fly-cruise is also available.
Are your ships suited to a winter sun holiday?
Yes. Our smaller ships carry generous outside deck space for sunny days at sea, reach harbours larger ships cannot, and offer the warm, personal service our guests return for.