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Upscale and luxury lines also offer longer itineraries of up to 30 nights (often bookable as a leg on longer world cruises). The most widely available length is 7 nights; however, 10- to 12-night cruises are also extremely popular (especially considering the lengthy flight times to embarkation ports for U.S. travelers). Mediterranean cruises in Fall Fall is a considered the best time to cruise the Mediterranean for cultural excursions without the crowds. September and October are part of the shoulder season, when kids go back to school and vacation prices dip. The sun won’t be quite as fierce, which makes walking the hills of Santorini or the winding streets of Rome a much more enjoyable experience. The crowds will have thinned out and you’ll have more space to enjoy popular attractions such as Las Ramblas in Barcelona.
Best Time for Mediterranean Cruises
While it will still be dry in the Mexican Riviera, weather in Cabo and other Pacific Coast destinations will be incredibly hot. The cheapest time for Caribbean cruises runs from late summer into fall, when hurricane season is at its peak. If this is the only chance you have to cruise, keep in mind that itineraries can change or be canceled depending on the weather. Booking your dream vacation has never been easier, with numerous cruise companies offering unique Mediterranean voyages. Cruise Critic provides comprehensive price and itinerary comparisons, ensuring a seamless planning experience. Take in the rich culture, history, and breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean on board state-of-the-art ships equipped with world-class amenities.
11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds - The Times
11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds.
Posted: Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Understanding Mediterranean Seasons
Take into account your personal preferences for temperature and weather conditions. If you enjoy warmer climates and don’t mind crowds, summer might be your ideal choice. Additionally, the holiday season brings a festive spirit to the Mediterranean cities, with charming Christmas markets and captivating decorations. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and a more relaxed ambiance to the Mediterranean. The summer crowds have dissipated, allowing for a more intimate and immersive experience. However, if you enjoy a lively atmosphere, bustling markets, warmer water temperature, and vibrant nightlife, a summer Mediterranean cruise may be the perfect fit for you.
When’s the best time to visit Mediterranean beaches?
In the end, the best time to cruise may come down to where you can go for the right price when your schedule allows a vacation. We've compiled the best times to cruise to the most popular cruise destinations based on the weather, lowest prices and fewer crowds. The Mediterranean’s one of the most popular regions of the world for travel and the big news in cruise is that the season, already a long one from spring to fall, has extended to winter. October and November are at the very end of the Mediterranean cruise season. Don’t expect hot, sunny beach weather but cooler temps in the 40s to low 70s Fahrenheit.
The summer months of December through February offer some of the best weather for cruising in Australia and New Zealand. Major cities will have high temperatures in the 70s and 80s during that time. Summertime is busy in Canada and New England because of the optimal weather and family vacations.
Mediterranean Cruises: Experiences of our Visitors
If you want to avoid rain, May is typically the driest month, with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50s. It's a great month for nature lovers to cruise to Alaska because May is when you'll see much of the wildlife emerging, including migrating gray whales, Dall sheep, moose and migratory birds. • Inside These have no windows but offer the same room service and room stewards as other cabins.
Night France, Italy & Greece CruiseDetails
January is one of the busiest times here as the Canaries is the easiest way for northern Europeans to find winter sun without taking a long-haul flight. Temperatures remain moderate across most of the Mediterranean year-round, but even Istanbul can be chilly, with an average high temperature of 48 degrees in January. Athens, Rome, Barcelona and most of the Greek islands see temperatures in the mid- to upper-50s in December and January, warming slightly in February. Booking with the cruise company guarantees your return to the ship, even if your excursion runs late.
She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide. December 6 is St. Nicholas Day in Catholic countries, when children leave their shoes out at night, hoping to wake up finding them filled with chocolate. From then until Christmas, you’ll find islands and cities festooned with Christmas lights and sparkling trees. There’s no other vacation that can link, for example, Athens, Dubrovnik, Naples, Rome, Florence, and Nice, with all their cultural treasures, in one easy journey. November is low season around the Mediterranean, with some restaurant owners and shopkeepers taking a well-earned break between the summer and Christmas seasons. Enjoy a good lunch and take a siesta during the hottest part of the day.
Night Eastern MediterraneanDetails
I've been to Santorini when four mid-sized ships (approximately 5,000 passengers) were in port and found it challenging to walk through the narrow maze of shops, restaurants and hotels. It was crowded enough that I was concerned about returning to the ship on time because the lines at the cable car that takes cruise passengers down the cliffs to the tender dock were so long. With 15,000 people in port, I don't know how you'd be able to walk through town at all. Santorini is a good-sized island, but most of the things cruisers want to see are perched on the narrow rim of the cliffs. If your dream is to see Venice or Santorini, or to cruise with one of the mainstream lines, you can rule out winter but should find ample choices between March and October. By the end of November, the number of ships calling at Mediterranean ports has dropped to winter levels.
Spend a day bathing in the sun at Platis Gialos, one of Mykonos' most famous beaches. Sip on refreshing beverages and feel the warmth of the sand beneath your feet as you look out to the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. With quintessential weather and bustling communities, summer is one of the best times to cruise the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean is an amazing region to cruise, and a sailing there is a wonderful introduction to Europe for travelers who have never been.
Ports like Cannes, France can see daily highs in the upper 70s and low 80s, whereas cities like Valencia and Rome can see daily highs in the low to mid-90s. Water temperatures during this time of year will not be as warm as they will be later in the summer, though. Water temperature in Mykonos, Greece, for example, tends to average around 66°F in May versus 78°F in August. The following cruise ports are generally standouts, no matter your travel style. You might want to skip the formal tours and merely wander around the port town, browsing local shops or grabbing a coffee or snack in a local cafe.
Take a dip in azure waters, stroll through picturesque villages, admire local art galleries and craft shops, or party the night away at world-famous beach clubs. The landscapes transform into shades of red and gold as the trees change colors, creating a picturesque backdrop for your cruise. Autumn also presents a unique opportunity to witness local festivals, harvest celebrations, and wine tastings in the Mediterranean’s renowned vineyards. Plus, the vibrant flowers and blossoming landscapes in the late spring add an enchanting touch to your voyage.
Look for fall sales when the current Mediterranean season is winding down. Everyone has their favorite list of the best Mediterranean cruise ports (as evidenced by the discussion I just had with TPG's cruise team about which to include). Some travelers want to hit all the most popular cities, while others prioritize the ability to walk right off the ship into the heart of the town. Some ports are better for historical attractions, others for cafe culture or outdoor activities. Which luxury line is best for your Mediterranean cruise will come down to what you're looking for in a luxury ship and a European itinerary.
Even though January, February and March bring more rain, the winter months are also peak season for tourists … and whales. Look to the shoulder season to find the best deals on Mediterranean cruises. During April and May and September to November, the combination of cooler temperatures, a higher chance of rain and a lack of family vacations leads to more availability and lower prices for cruises. Specialty cruises like Voyages to Antiquity can also into fit this category, bundling shore excursions with onboard enrichment programs to give each voyage a sense of theme (history, culinary, etc.).
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