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The summer months offer extended daylight hours, allowing for longer exploration of the ports of call. The best time to book a cruise for perfectly warm, sunny days include the months of July and August. However, keep in mind that this is one of the more crowded times of year to visit. That being said, if you’re spending your days in port lounging on a beach chair next to gorgeous turquoise water, we’re guessing you won’t really care. The month of June can be looked at as a transition between the shoulder season of the spring and the peak months of July and August. If you're planning to travel during the earlier part of the season, consider visiting some of the southern destinations and larger Mediterranean islands.
Beach Vacation in February
After you do some soul searching and consider your traveling priorities, it’s time to consider the pros and cons. Comparing the pros and cons will help you get a complete picture of what to expect during each season, and ultimately help you choose the right time to cruise. Determining the best time for a Mediterranean cruise can significantly enhance your travel experience, ensuring pleasant weather and memorable adventures along the way. Whether you opt for the vibrant spring blooms, the sizzling summer sun, or the milder temperatures of autumn, the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and interests. With Cruisebound, you can effortlessly plan your dream Mediterranean cruise, knowing that the best options and unbeatable experiences are just a click away.
Day Greek Isles Round-trip Rome: Santorini, Athens & Florence
Length of Western Mediterranean cruisesTypically, Western Mediterranean cruises last anywhere from five to 14 nights. Upscale and luxury lines also offer longer itineraries of up to 30 nights (often as a bookable leg on a longer world cruise). The most widely available cruise length is 7 nights; however 10- to 12-night itineraries are also extremely popular. Luckily, peak summer brings the best swimming temperatures in the Mediterranean, allowing you to cool off at the beaches in port. A classic beach day on the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera will be best during these months, with water averaging around 75-80°F in places like Capri and Nice. Temperatures rise throughout the month of June in the Mediterranean, leading to daily highs in the low to mid-80s in ports like Rome and Catania, whereas ports further north, like Nice and Genoa, will see highs in the mid-70s.
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The Mediterranean is an amazing region to cruise, and a sailing there is a wonderful introduction to Europe for travelers who have never been. The varied choices of itineraries, cruise lines and ships can be intimidating, but rest assured, you can't really go wrong with any of them. Just know that once you go, you may feel a need to return — either to see a port you loved more in-depth on a land vacation or to sail to the Mediterranean countries you missed on your first go-round. The majority of ships, however, arrive in the spring and depart in the fall, choosing warmer climes like the Caribbean for holiday sailings. Most of those are European-based lines, such as Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises, but Viking also braves chilly weather for its destination-focused itineraries in Europe.
Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean - USA TODAY
Best times to go on a cruise: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
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Autumn in the Mediterranean (September to November)
But most travelers will prefer a little more warmth and a larger choice of ports while still prioritizing a good price and lighter crowds. You might think the best time to cruise the Mediterranean would be summer because that's when the most ships are cruising in Europe. Some small-ship companies − like Voyages to Antiquity and Cruise West − will sometimes reduce or waive the single-traveler supplement as part of promotional efforts, or to fill smaller cabins. • Location, Location, Location The smoothest sailing part of a cruise ship is on the lower decks, midship. What the fare covers on Mediterranean cruises• On mainstream cruise lines, the fare includes meals, room service, entertainment, and aside from a handful of special pay-for activities, the run of the ship. Not covered are tips, alcoholic beverages, soda, special dining venues, and shore excursions.
Our Travel Guide: The Best Time to Cruise…the Mediterranean
You'll find ships cruising in the Med year-round, so there's never a time when you can't cruise at all. You'll find the most ships and itinerary choices in summer during peak season and the fewest during winter's off season. Spring and fall are considered the shoulder season, when the Mediterranean cruise season is gearing up or winding down. Mediterranean cruises typically last between five and 14 nights, and with countless ports to choose from in close proximity, one can expect destination-intensive itineraries, with not too many days spent at sea. On a typical one-week sailing, cruisers can expect to effortlessly experience three or four countries in a single trip. Cruises lasting up to 12 nights are typically classified as Western or Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, with Rome, Italy, serving as the unofficial dividing line between the two.
If you're a foodie, these two lines plus Oceania Cruises are notable for their culinary tours in port, plus destination-themed cooking classes on board. You'll learn the basics of itineraries, cruise lines, destinations, when to go and when to book your European adventure at sea. See countrysides blanketed in lavender, cities sprinkled with oleander and balconies brimming with geranium. Along with the budding flowers of spring, the streets are decorated with local characters. Visit Florence and dine on seasonal produce in the home of a resident farmer.
Cruising the Mediterranean in Winter: Pros and Cons - Cruise Critic
Cruising the Mediterranean in Winter: Pros and Cons.
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Bears, whales, salmon and caribou are far more abundant June through August than at other times of year. You'll want to book well in advance for an Alaska cruise between June and August, as itineraries tend to sell out quickly. High season is when you'll find the most cruise options, highest prices, most crowded ships and best weather. The shoulder season coincides with moderate demand and relatively nice weather, and fares will be lower. Low season is the cheapest season -- and least busy -- but may mean sacrifices in what you can see and possible cancellations due to weather.
When is the best time to find special offers to the Mediterranean?
Your answers to these questions will help you determine the best time of year to visit the Mediterranean according to your unique travel preferences. Of course, North Americans taking Mediterranean cruise vacations will need a passport to fly to and from their ship's departure and arrival ports. The following cruise ports are generally standouts, no matter your travel style. A beach day is possible in the Greek Islands or along the French Riviera, and many ports will have sightseeing cruises.
Perhaps you’re eager to hop between big-city, blockbuster Mediterranean metropolises at ports like Barcelona, Athens, or Rome on a seamless cruise-based itinerary. Maybe you’re yearning for a beach escape on a storied strip along the French Riviera or a Greek island idyll. Or you might want to uncover more off-the-path coves and sleepy villages, or hit up UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites where history books come to life. Whatever your interest or travel style, there’s a Mediterranean cruise for you, with myriad at-sea adventures awaiting along the coasts of such coveted locales as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece.
Notably, Turkey serves as a prominent destination for birdwatchers, with approximately 250 bird species migrating through the country each spring and fall as they journey between Africa and Europe. At Cruisebound, we're here to help you explore the wonders of the Mediterranean, offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in its vibrant cultural tapestry and its thriving wildlife. The Mediterranean region has a temperate climate, but it still gets chilly in the spring and fall and can be brutally hot in the summer. Check the weather before your sail date and pack for the predicted temperatures — with layers, in case the forecasters are wrong and it's unseasonably hot or cold. These lines offer a variety of itinerary choices, so you can find the Mediterranean ports you most want to visit.
The northern ports in the Adriatic see a bit more rain than most of the Med. Don't forget the famed Acqua Alta, or mega-tides in Venice, which will leave you sloshing through St. Mark's Square in rubber boots. Though a genuinely rare occurrence, the high tides are most likely to happen in November and December, making them a concern when booking a cruise on one of the handful of ships with November stops in Venice. To decide what crowds would look like in various months, we looked at two popular ports where the effect of multiple ships is felt the most -- Santorini and Venice. Visit Santorini in June or July and you will find yourself fighting for breathing room among as many as 15,000 other cruise ship passengers. Cruise lines that sail the region all year include Viking, MSC Cruises, Costa, Celestyal and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Not actual snow; this is almond blossom season, the beginning of spring, and is a wonderful time to visit. The months of April and May will bring fewer crowds on a Mediterranean cruise compared to mid-summer. As the school year has not finished yet, there tend to be fewer families and children onboard as well.
Across the board, from mainstream to luxury, Mediterranean cruise fares peak in June, July and August. Prices for big-ship cruises varied by as much as $60 per person per night between spring sailings and summer. On luxury lines like Silversea, spring cruise fares were hundreds of dollars cheaper per person per night compared to summer fares. Choosing when to cruise the Mediterranean can be a difficult choice, as each season brings its own benefits and drawbacks. Shoulder seasons can offer a great price point, but can also come with colder water temperatures and occasional rain. The peak summer season offers sunny, long days, but also tends to be the most crowded time of year both onboard and in port.
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