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Well, while the islands aren't generally hit by hurricanes, they come closest in September and weather patterns can bring hot, humid weather to the islands despite technically being dry season. They can also kick up storms that lead to rough seas and less-than-ideal excursion conditions. Disney does offer incredible itineraries, however, they are only in the Mediterranean during the peak summer season. Disney is a luxury cruise line and offers excellent amenities to complement your cruise holiday.
Our Travel Guide: The Best Time to Cruise…the Mediterranean
Most ships have alternative dining venues, and service charges can range from $10 to $20 (and counting) on most mass-market cruise lines. Leave room in your budget for shipboard expenses, because those extra costs – like paying for espresso with dinner, or a service charge for pizza delivery to your stateroom – can quickly add up. Online travel engines may be the easiest way to book most trips these days, but when it’s time to buy a cruise, make sure to also try a cruise agent. They can offer you unadvertised discounts, group rates, and personalized service in case anything should go wrong. August is the very peak of the Mediterranean season, with July’s hot weather continuing and regular daily highs of more than 86°F (30°C) throughout the region.
What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean? - Royal Caribbean Blog
What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?.
Posted: Thu, 07 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Mediterranean cruise lines
If you feel like you need sunny, warm weather to enjoy your cruise to the fullest, you may want to prioritize the weather when planning your trip. If you don’t mind rain or look forward to slipping into a cozy sweater when temperatures drop, you’ll have more options to escape the crowds. What’s new for Windstar is that the Mediterranean season is being extended for 2024 and 2025 itineraries. And of course, the most intriguing itinerary just developed for the Mediterranean is winter sailings. In the winter of 2024, Star Legend travels between Rome and Barcelona, with calls at Livorno (for Florence), Nice and Marseille.
Western Mediterranean Cruises
During these months, you can expect comfortably warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and significantly fewer crowds compared to the peak months of July and August. In spring, the landscape comes alive with blooming flowers, while autumn offers mild and clear days before the arrival of winter rains. So, if you're seeking a more tranquil and enjoyable Mediterranean experience, we recommend considering these shoulder seasons for your travel itinerary.
Best time to cruise the Mediterranean Cruise.Blog - Cruise Blog
Best time to cruise the Mediterranean Cruise.Blog.
Posted: Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Greece and Turkey
This is the beginning of the lavender season in Provence, while the vineyards are lush and green. Mediterranean islands like Mallorca and Mykonos are brilliant with mauve bougainvillea. Instead, use May as a time to take in some of the most glorious sights in Europe in the late spring sunshine. Stroll around Pompeii (which has little shade, so is much more manageable in spring).
During the peak of summer, families with children are common onboard as well, as a mid-summer cruise fits well in the school summer vacation schedule. Crowds will also increase in your ports of call, as many travelers begin summer vacations to Europe at this time. From college graduates backpacking through the Mediterranean to school travel groups, honeymoons, and family vacations, Europe’s most popular destinations will get more crowded throughout June. In the early season you can expect pleasant temperatures that are ideal for exploring the Mediterranean’s cities. In Barcelona, expect highs of around 70°F throughout most of May, with temperatures rising toward the end of the month. If you’re traveling further south to Athens, though, expect highs around 75-80°F.
Seven-night cruises are best if you're short on time or want to tack on a few days in Barcelona, Rome or Athens before or after your cruise. Longer itineraries are ideal for experiencing a greater variety of destinations and traversing more of the Med. The slightly cooler climate of the fall season doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the beaches of the Mediterranean — but it does make sightseeing more comfortable.
The Med, as it's known, is a year-round destination, with seasonal wine festivals and bustling holiday markets. What time of year you're looking to sail depends on if you want to soak up the coastal sun or save a little money and avoid the crowds in the process. Browse our Mediterranean cruise itineraries and find the perfect month for your cruise vacation. Book your stateroom and reserve shore excursions and other onboard activities all in one convenient place.
Mediterranean Cruise Ports in Italy
Going early or late in the season usually means you'll have more tolerable weather and smaller crowds in some of the big destinations like Athens. In port, guests can sign up for special chef-guided market excursions for shopping local markets in locales such as Barcelona and Malaga, Spain, and Livorno and Sorrento, Italy. Finds are later prepared and served by the chef via cooking demos back onboard. Choose from a series of 7- to 11-night Mediterranean Celebrity Edge voyages, running round-trip from Rome or between Rome and Barcelona. In port, expect family-focused excursions, such as a performance of traditional Italian puppetry in Rome or a “treasure hunt” in an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona. Windstar Cruises runs weeklong made-for-canoodling cruises through Greece, round-trip out of Athens, aboard its intimate, 148-guest, four-masted sailing yacht Wind Star.
But while you might be able to cruise the Mediterranean in winter, your choice of ports is somewhat limited. We found no sailings to the popular ports of Corfu, Dubrovnik or Koper, Slovenia in December or January. Embarking on a Mediterranean cruise is a dream come true for many travelers. By understanding the characteristics of each season and considering your personal preferences, you can make an informed decision about the best time to book your Mediterranean adventure. This charming seaside town is home to ancient ruins, white sand beaches, and beautiful bays. Adventure seekers can take a boat tour around Pigeon Island or explore some of the nearby caves.
If you're after that sweet spot of cheaper fares and perfect weather, the best time to cruise to Mexico is from November through January. Skies during this period are mostly clear, temperatures are warm and crowds are smaller (with the exception of Christmas and New Years). That's true if you're after bright and warm Riviera Maya weather or optimal conditions in the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Coast as well. While Australia's weather varies, winter temperatures between June and early September are rarely as extreme in North America. Crowds are fewer, and there are bargains to be had, especially on larger ships and Great Barrier Reef cruises that are available year-round.
The sea is blissfully warm and perfect for swimming; in fact, this is one of the best months for watersports. Tourists interested in outdoor activities – beaches, swimming and “fun in the sun” – may prefer the summer season, when the Mediterranean climate is most agreeable. Those interested in cultural sites, such as museums, may wish to look at a shoulder season or even an off-season cruise.
Full of art, culture, romance, and iconic landmarks, each season offers its unique take on the Italian and Spanish ports that make up these beautiful itineraries in Europe. If you're ready to plan your next cruise vacation, read on for our take on the best months and seasons to cruise The Mediterranean. 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.). • Mainstream The typical mainstream cruise ship carries anywhere from 2,000 to more than 6,000 passengers and features a wealth of onboard activities to keep passengers entertained at sea. Itineraries tend to be largely cookie-cutter, with ships calling on the largest and most popular ports of call.
Look for fall sales when the current Mediterranean season is winding down. From the iconic monuments of Italy to the ancient mythology of Greece, the Mediterranean is teeming with opportunities for exploration. With vibrant landscapes, world-renowned cuisine and lively cultures, it’s no wonder these beloved cities are adored by so many.
Another smart time to book a Mediterranean cruise is during January or February when cruise lines run their "wave season" sales, often with lots of extra freebies thrown into the cost of the sailing. You might find last-minute deals on spring cruises to Europe or still be considered early for fall itineraries. Bermuda cruises sail from April through mid-November, mostly during Bermuda's beach season. Most people travel during the summer months (June through August), making those voyages pricier, but you'll find deals on spring and fall departures (April through early June and September through November, respectively).
Cruises depart from Barcelona for the Canaries, visiting ports in the Mediterranean and Morocco along the way. Expect average highs of 68°F (20°C) in Tenerife, and six hours of sunshine. Expect average highs of 62.6°F (17°C) in sunny Malaga, which is a long way south, and 59°F (15°C) in Barcelona in January.
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