Where to go on holiday in November? 5 top cruise destinations

November holidays are the perfect excuse to escape the grey skies of the UK. With the golden hues of autumn fading and Christmas still weeks away, a cruise break offers the ideal seasonal pick-me-up.

Whether you’re after European culture, Caribbean sunshine or polar adventure, these are some of the best cruise destinations for November holidays. You’re welcome.

A winter wonderland cannot be guaranteed in the UK come winter, but it sure as hell can in Antarctica – perfect for getting you in the festive spirit ahead of Christmas.

Technically spring in the southern hemisphere, November is when the Antarctica cruise season begins as pack ice clears and expedition cruises sail the icy continent. Go at the start of the season and you’ll benefit from the freshest powder and the biggest icebergs.

This month is also when the local fauna starts getting frisky (wahey) as spring mating is in full, ahem, thrust. Hopefully, you’ll see penguins building nests, Weddell and fur seals feeling the love and breeding elephant seals battling it out. Look out for albatross, marine fulmars and petrels flying the Drake Passage and Blue-eyed shags returning to the continent, too.

If you’re after action yourself (no, not like that) the Antarctic spring is also ideal for skiing, snowboarding and snow-shoeing, with average temperatures of -2°C.

Cruise lines sailing to Antarctica include Silversea, Aurora Expeditions, Celebrity Cruises, National Geographic, Quark Expeditions and Poseidon Expeditions.

– READ MORE: What polar activities can you do in Antarctica? –

For some serious winter sun, Antigua is one of the top Caribbean cruise destinations in November. Time your trip to this Caribbean island for the beginning of the month, and you can join in Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Day celebrations on November 1. There are also good hotel deals to be snapped up if you fancy a cruise and stay holiday as the country revs up for peak tourism season in December.

Sip on rum punch, tuck into the freshest seafood and laze on one of Antigua’s 365 beaches during November holidays here – we forgive you for feeling very smug when everyone is shivering in two jumpers back in the UK.

There are Georgian buildings along Nelson’s Dockyard (a centuries-old British naval base) to admire and fancy yachts floating in the English Harbour. Head to Shirley Heights for the best views and be sure to try snorkelling and diving in the sunken coral reefs, too. If you have time, take a boat trip over to quaint and tiny Barbuda with the most marvellous pink sands.

A plus point of Antigua over others in the Caribbean? It’s the sunniest of the Eastern Caribbean islands, and in November the average temperature is 28°C. Best pack that sunscreen, and a hat, and the best beach reads and…you know what, just pass us a piña colada.

Cruise lines calling at St. John’s, Antigua’s capital, include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Carnival. Expect a stunning baroque cathedral, vibrantly coloured architecture and buzzy markets.

– READ MORE: 8 weird & wonderful things to do on a Caribbean cruise –

Looking for less crowded cruise destinations in November? Cape Verde ticks the box with volcanic landscapes, endless beaches and a rich mix of African, Portuguese and Brazilian culture.

Cape Verde consists of nine inhabited volcanic islands (and one uninhabited) off the western tip of Africa and guarantees winter sun minus the crowds. For November holidays, the archipelago is emerging from its rainy season and bathes in almost endless sunshine with average temperatures of 27°C (now that’s smug).

Sal is the most favoured island, boasting a moon-like landscape and colourful, cobbled towns. The beach stretches along the coast for 8km, with watersports and sunbathing popular. Head to the busiest town Santa Maria for tasty local specialities – there’s a mixture of African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences in Cape Verde. Yummy!

More dazzling beaches can be found on Boa Vista which has a wilder feel and makes for one of the best November holiday destinations in Cape Verde. In fact, there are 55km of white sand along the coastline! Praia de Atalanta is home to an old Spanish cargo ship deserted in the water, making it one of Cape Verde’s most photographed spots.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are fab in Cape Verde – you can swim alongside turtles and mantas while natural cave Buracona (or Blue Eye) boasts gorgeous turquoise colours in the sunlight. Quad biking and horse riding on the beach are also popular.

The island of Santiago is where cruise port, Praia, can be found. Try to visit Cidade Velha if you can – it was the first city to be built by Europeans in West Africa and features remnants from the Age of Discovery.

Mindelo, Cape Verde’s second biggest city, on the island of São Vicente is another cruise port – it’s known for its nightlife and Brazilian-influenced Carnaval celebrations and has beaches and brightly coloured colonial buildings.

Saga, Cunard, P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line, Marella Cruises, Azamara, and Variety Cruises are among the lines offering cruises to Cape Verde.

– READ MORE: 7 unique experiences to try in Cape Verde –

November is one of the best times to take a cruise to Egypt – cooler weather (around 25°C in Cairo) means more comfortable sightseeing.

It’s therefore the ideal time to explore the Pyramids without sweating bucketloads – did you know, the Giza Pyramid Complex is the only one of the Ancient Wonders of the World that still exists? It’s more than 4,500 years old.

Of course, there’s plenty of other ancient history to immerse yourself in on your November holidays – Egypt is one of the oldest civilisations in the world.

From the sprawling temples of Luxor and Karnak and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings to Esna’s towering Temple of Khnum and treasures in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, you’re spoiled for choice with things to see and experience. Be sure to try sailing down the Nile on a traditional felucca boat, too.

Inland Egypt cruises sail down the Nile, with Viking River Cruises, Riviera Travel, Marella Cruises and Noble Caledonia all offering Egyptian river cruises.

Alternatively, take an ocean cruise on the Red Sea. Cruises call at Port Safaga (Bur Safaga in Arabic), a village on the Red Sea coast, and you can take day trips to Luxor from here. There are also lively beach resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, where you should be sure to try your hand at diving – it’s excellent in the Red Sea thanks to the extensive coral reef in Egypt’s coastal waters.

MSC Cruises, Emerald Cruises and Seabourn are among the lines providing Red Sea cruises.

 – READ MORE: Complete guide to Nile River cruises in Egypt – 

With its dark nights and crisp conditions, Iceland is one of the top Northern Lights cruise destinations in November. Glacier cave tours reopen, geysers steam, and hot springs beckon.

With dark winter nights drawing near comes the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights – remember, the more remote your location, the better the chance you have of seeing the phenomenal light display dance in all its colourful splendour across the sky.

Tours into Iceland’s glacier caves open in full come November, with the most accessible caves in the south of Iceland. The Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon can be found at the edge of the vast Vatnajokull ice cap and is a perennial natural wonder.

It’s not all nippy in Iceland, though. The country is famous for its hot springs: the largest and most well-known natural spring is the Blue Lagoon, and it will leave you feeling well and truly restored.

There are also breathtaking fjords to admire, fascinating Viking history to discover (the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik provides the perfect introduction) and incredible geysers and waterfalls.

Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, is where the nation’s main cruise port is situated – don’t miss Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland, delicious fish dishes (will you be brave enough to try local delicacy, rotten shark?) and, ahem, the world’s only phallological museum. What more could you want for a November holiday destination?

Akureyri is another Icelandic cruise port – nearby is the famous waterfall Godafoss (at nearly 40ft tall it’s known as the “waterfall of the Gods”) and the lava fields of Dimmuborgir, plus opportunities for whale watching.

Ambassador Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Princess Cruises and Hurtigruten all offer cruises to Iceland.

– READ MORE: What we discovered on our luxury cruise to Iceland –