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Do you want to visit the Mediterranean to lie on the beach and swim at most ports you visit? If so, you will likely prefer to cruise during the warmer spring and summer months when the water temperatures are also higher. If you are more interested in seeing the sights and prefer cooler weather, a fall or winter cruise vacation might be preferable. For optimal weather and adventures aplenty, the best time to cruise the Mediterranean is in the spring, summer or fall season, from early April through late November. During the winter, many locals close up shop, making it difficult for travelers to enjoy the full Mediterranean experience. Whether you want to spend the day touring the Colosseum or taste the first Greek wines of the season, here are the best months to cruise the Mediterranean.
Night Lands Of Legends & Eternal CitiesDetails
Winter in the Mediterranean is mild, but some shops may close in preparation for the upcoming season. October and November are known for some of the best discounts and deals.Ready to cruise the Mediterranean? Known to have the best weather of the year, these mid-summer months welcome guests to dip their toes in the crystalline ocean. 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.
European Cruise Destinations
Summer into early fall is the best time to cruise Hawaii especially June and July. June through September is also the cheapest time to go to Hawaii on a cruise and coincides with some of the nicest weather in Hawaii. Mediterranean cruises can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks, depending on the company and itinerary. Booking every excursion through the cruise line can add up, but luckily, there are typically more affordable options through third-party companies.
Mediterranean Cruise Ports in Croatia
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. 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. Before diving into the best time to embark on a Mediterranean cruise, let’s explore why this region is a top choice for travelers.
Tips for Winter Cruising:
Major ports of call like Sydney, Adelaide and Perth will be quite warm and sunny, while Cairns in the northeast -- the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef -- will be steamy and hot. The shoulder seasons may not be the warmest, but they typically offer better pricing than summer cruises. For example, a 14-night sailing to the Baltic with Holland America is $949 in early May 2023 but $1,329 in mid-June. Summer is from May to October, and winter falls between November and April. There's not much variation in temperature between the two seasons, with daytime temperatures hovering around 80 degrees in the summer and not falling much more than that into the high 70s in the winter.
Long days touring ancient sites like the Colosseum or walking through the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik can be a lot nicer when temperatures are still comfortable. The cruise season in the Mediterranean usually begins in April and ends in November, with peak season falling between June and September. Those months coincide with peak season in the Caribbean, though, so crowded ports and beaches plus higher cruise fares are the norm.
Let’s delve into the details of each season to help you determine the perfect time to embark on your Mediterranean cruise. Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. 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.
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In March and April, spring break revelers descend on destinations like the Riviera Maya, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. But if your version of fun is a little more mature, opt for the November through January time frame. A wide variety of large, small and luxury lines cruise the romantic ports of the Mediterranean.
The best time to cruise to the Caribbean without all the tourists is typically in late fall and between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. You can also avoid the crowds in late April and early May after the spring break rush but before school lets out and summer vacations begin. The official Atlantic hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30, falls within shoulder season, so you may need to weigh low prices with the risk of a storm affecting your trip. Also, some fares in the summer months can be higher with many families taking vacations. Prices for similar cruises with MSC between June and August range from $649 to $799.
Arrive in the fall, and you may find that tour operators and shops have begun to cut back hours or have closed. 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 is an amazing region to cruise, and a sailing there is a wonderful introduction to Europe for travelers who have never been.
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Discover the historic city of Istanbul, Turkey, where you can explore a rich culture and heritage. Take in the grandeur of Topkapı Palace or marvel at the beauty of Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Enjoy an evening boat ride along the Bosphorus River or wander through one of Istanbul’s bustling markets. Additionally, booking in advance can help secure better deals and ensure availability for your preferred itinerary.
Tour some of Nice’s most beloved attractions like Castle Hill and Place Massena, or explore hidden gems like the Russian Cathedral and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Discover Crete’s stunning landscapes, legendary beaches, and impressive archaeological sites. Visit the ancient Minoan palace of Knossos, explore the historic city of Chania, or head off on a hike and discover hidden natural gems along the way.
July 14 is Bastille Day in France, which is a wonderful time to travel, as the night sky will be ablaze with fireworks. You still won’t be swimming in the sea unless you’re inclined to cold water swimming, but this is a lovely month for strolling on the beach or walking in the mountains. Wildflowers are still in bloom and you can expect average high temperatures of 65°F (18°C) in Barcelona and 66°F (19°C) in Florence.
Restaurants and bars remain open in port cities, and the atmosphere is, if anything, more relaxed than at the height of summer. All of these cruise destinations are considered Mediterranean, along with Monaco, the southern coasts of France and Spain, and even Israel. Even though it doesn't have any coastline on the Mediterranean Sea, Portugal is considered part of the Mediterranean region. 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.
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and that you have any necessary visas or travel documentation well in advance. Ensure you have transportation arrangements from your accommodation to the cruise port. Many cruise lines offer shuttle services, or you can arrange a private transfer or taxi in advance. This will ensure a smooth embarkation process and eliminate any last-minute stress. To avoid any potential travel delays or complications, it is advisable to arrive at least a day before your cruise departure.
If you're looking for a unique excursion that still gives you the highlights of a European city, I recommend booking a food tour. I've done tours in places like Amsterdam, Budapest, and Paris, and I've never been disappointed. Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills.
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