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The nine-night trip takes guests to seven ports through Italy and Croatia, providing varied terrain and plentiful shore excursion options. Visit beautiful seaside towns like Portofino, explore the Venetian canals, and enjoy the ship's amenities during days at sea. Azamara is a luxurious option, but it’s not just about glitz and glamour on this line. The cruise line also emphasizes hyper-local experiences to allow its passengers to dive deep into the history, food, culture, and life of its ports of call, even if they’re there just for a day. The cruise line offers a variety of destinations and cruise lengths, including 10, 12, and 15-night voyages, some of which include overnight stays in the ports so guests can get the full scope of a destination. Those looking for an adults-only option will find exactly what they need with Viking Cruises.
Do You Want More Port Options?
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. However, November through March in Australia is also typhoon season, which may affect some ports of call (particularly in the northeast) and lead to some rough waters. Aussies generally vacation between late December and January, so expect big crowds and jammed ports during that time. What’s new for Windstar is that the Mediterranean season is being extended for 2024 and 2025 itineraries.
Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean: A Year-Round Guide
12 Best Mediterranean Cruise Destinations for 2024–2024 - Reader's Digest
12 Best Mediterranean Cruise Destinations for 2024–2024.
Posted: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
However, the vast number of cruise lines plying the Caribbean Sea mean you can find a massive spread of cruises for almost every budget. You can often land deals if you travel during the early weeks of December and in the later spring, when weather is still mostly calm and dry. 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.
Packing for a Winter Mediterranean Cruise
Families often book these for the kids (many include additional pull-down beds at a lower fare). Michelle Palmer is a development editor who has over 10 years of experience in the travel publishing industry. She loves telling the stories, histories and culture of places that inspire others to go and experience new destinations. When not traveling, she participates in circus arts, goes to live shows and is a “Murder, She Wrote” aficionado.
I've been on 50 cruises. Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean.
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews. With your AAA membership, you can take advantage of member benefits that include things like onboard spending credit on select cruises.
8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet! - TravelAwaits
8 Best Adults-Only Mediterranean Cruise Packages Deck, Sun, Cocktails, and... Peace & Quiet!.
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
In this comprehensive guide, I will help you navigate the world of Mediterranean cruises and determine the best time to embark on this unforgettable adventure. Aegean cruises traverse the large open sea between Greece and Turkey and go as far south as Crete, with stops in Athens and Santorini in Greece and Istanbul in Turkey. Sailings through the Ionian Sea, located between the sole of Italy's boot and western Greece, bring you to the Italian island of Sicily and the Greek island of Corfu. 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.
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. The vines are turning golden and beach destinations are beginning to take on an end-of-season feel, although you should still enjoy plenty of sunny days. 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.
If you wish to avoid the crowds or just spend more time in the water, catamaran tours sail around the island, offering a chance to swim (if traveling when temperatures allow) and view the beaches and caldera. July and August is the peak season of Mediterranean cruises, bringing the highest temperatures, prices, and crowds. Prime vacation time for those traveling to Europe and for Europeans themselves, Mediterranean ports of call will be bustling with energy and the region’s beaches will be busier than normal.
As your decision might be based on entirely different factors, let's dive into the variables to determine the best time for you to head to the region and hop on a cruise ship. The 10-day trip takes sailors through ultra-luxe ports, including visits to Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Florence, Rome, Valletta, Rhodes, and Athens. From the old villages to the glittering casinos, the shore excursions with this journey abound. Though there’s plenty to do onboard too, including wine tastings, guest lectures, and fun-filled trivia nights with fellow guests. 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.). If you're planning to travel during the earlier part of the season, consider visiting some of the southern destinations and larger Mediterranean islands.
Although you’ll still find casinos, theaters, and a robust schedule of daily activities, offerings are more skewed towards enrichment (think historical lectures, cooking demonstrations, and guest speakers). Premium cruise lines step things up a notch with less-crowded, mid-sized ships (averaging around 1,000 to 2,000 passengers); finer cuisine; and cultivated, yet subtle, décor. Cruising in the Mediterranean is possible year-round, though the peak season lasts from late May to early September. During the winter months, bargain shoppers will find the lowest rates for Mediterranean cruises, with temperatures hovering in the 50s and ports largely devoid of crowds. The offseason for Mediterranean cruises is the winter months of November through February. During these months, travelers have the fewest options among cruise lines, ships, ports and excursions.
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. 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. MSC Cruises offers a diverse selection of Mediterranean itineraries, including unique stops in lesser-known ports. Experience their elegant ships, exceptional service, and a variety of dining options while exploring the wonders of the Mediterranean. This charming seaside town is home to ancient ruins, white sand beaches, and beautiful bays.
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. • Premium Premium ships place an emphasis on off-the-path itineraries, offering lengthier cruises that allow more time to sample the region’s ports – Holland America, Princess, and Celebrity all fall into this category.
By arriving one night in advance, you create a buffer that helps ensure you won't miss your cruise embarkation. You can also purchase cruise insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen problems. If your budget allows, consider arriving a few days before your embarkation date. Many Mediterranean cruises start in cities like Barcelona and Rome, which have plenty of fun things to do. Some so-called Mediterranean cruises actually spend most of their time on the Adriatic Sea, sailing from Venice and visiting ports in Croatia and Greece, and sometimes Montenegro and Albania. You may also find an Adriatic sailing wrapped into longer Western or Eastern Mediterranean cruises.
They can offer you unadvertised discounts, group rates, and personalized service in case anything should go wrong. Cruise lines servicing the Eastern MediterraneanNote that the following list includes major companies that cater to English-speaking guests, and is not inclusive of all cruise lines serving the Eastern Mediterranean. For a full description of the cruise line categories (mainstream, premium, deluxe/specialty, and luxury), see our frequently asked questions. Cruise lines servicing the Western Mediterranean Note that the following list includes major companies that cater to English-speaking guests, and is not inclusive of all cruise lines serving the Western Mediterranean.
The best time to cruise the Mediterranean will vary depending on your particular interests and schedule. The two-week trip stops in 10 different ports in Italy, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus. It offers dozens of shore excursions to take part in, including historical tours, vineyard tours and wine tastings, local market visits, and so much more. Room options range from interior staterooms to massive premium suites with 119-foot balconies so you can let the fresh ocean breeze in. 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. Part of booking the best Mediterranean cruise is selecting a cruise line that meets your needs and budget.
Cruise lines that sail the region all year include Viking, MSC Cruises, Costa, Celestyal and Norwegian Cruise Line. 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.
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