Table Of Content
Viking Ocean's Mediterranean cruises visit ports in Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia and Tunisia. Santorini is a beautiful island in Greece, but it can get crowded when more than one cruise ship is in port. It’s best to plan ahead to ensure you can get up to the city of Oia and see the sights on your list if touring on your own. Shore excursions may include visits to wineries complete with wine tastings accompanied by an assortment of breads, meats and cheeses.
General information and popular routes
Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and is known for its beautiful Roman architecture, including Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and take in some of Split’s best sights, such as the Port of Split and Marjan Hill. It’s important to know that not every cruise line offers year-round itineraries in the Mediterranean. If you have a favorite line, you’ll need to plan your trip around their schedule. I am a travel advisor and cruise specialist with extensive experience in cruising multiple times.
What Weather Do You Enjoy?
Your time is much better spent enjoying coffee in some sunny piazza or enjoying a gelato. There are still very few tourists around, as it’s not yet beach weather, but you can expect average daily highs of 57°F (14°C) in Athens, with up to five hours of sunshine per day, perfect for sightseeing. Head to Greece or Cyprus in February and you’ll see swathes of snowy white in the fields.
Best time to cruise Australia and New Zealand to avoid crowds
Even though it means paying for lodging and likely a few meals before boarding the boat, getting a good night's sleep before a jam-packed vacation is worth it to me. After taking my first Mediterranean cruise last year, here's what I think everyone should know before booking the route. Whether you opt for the lively ambiance of summer or the tranquility of spring or autumn, the Mediterranean promises a voyage filled with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Stroll along the famous Croisette and shop designer boutiques for a truly luxurious experience. Visit the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès to witness stunning views of Cannes from above or take a dip at La Plage de la Croisette.
25 BEST Eastern Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean on Cruise ... - Cruise Critic
25 BEST Eastern Mediterranean Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean on Cruise ....
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:01:59 GMT [source]
Once you let go of your need to see and do it all and accept that you're on a sampler tour, you'll be better able to make your cruise selections and enjoy the ports your ship does visit. The best month to cruise the Mediterranean depends on what you're looking for in a vacation. We took a look at factors like weather and sea conditions, festivals and, of course, pricing, to determine which travel dates are right for you. 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. Are there certain activities that you are most interested in experiencing during your Mediterranean cruise?
The best time to cruise the Mediterranean - The Points Guy
The best time to cruise the Mediterranean.
Posted: Sat, 24 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Water temperature in Mykonos, Greece, for example, tends to average around 66°F in May versus 78°F in August. For example, a seven-night round-trip voyage from Long Beach, California, along Mexico's Pacific coast with Carnival Cruise Line starts at $629 in June. If your heart is set on traveling to Hawaii in the summer, or you want to escape the winter's snow at home in February, look for deals with an early booking. You can also take a chance and wait for last-minute specials if you're flexible. For example, a seven-night round-trip cruise in November or early December 2024 with Norwegian Cruise Line starts at $1,649. Classic, elegant, and forever in style, Cunard Line is the cruise to choose if chicness is your top priority.
Weather and Climate
Croatia’s island-specked coastline is the same; sailing and kayaking are fine, but only the hardy will be swimming in the sea. While Ramadan is culturally an interesting time to visit, it won’t affect you as a visitor. Visit Ephesus in Turkey and you’ll have the ancient site virtually to yourself. Cities like Athens, Malaga, Barcelona, and Rome will be buzzing with locals, rather than tourists. Maximize your cultural activities in these historic cities as you’ll be able to fit in far more sights than you would in the heat and bustle of summer. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Peak vs. Off-Peak Season
Shore excursion options include exploring the ruins of Pompeii, seeing the biblical destinations of Nazareth and Galilee, and simply soaking in the ambiance of Capri for an entire day. As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours. Top things to do in Barcelona on a shore excursion include tours to see Gaudi's art nouveau architecture, the Picasso Museum, culinary tours and cooking classes.
Tourists from around the world flock to Europe’s world-class destinations in the summer months, which may lead to more lines and higher demand for popular activities in port. Early June should come with fewer crowds than later in the month, as many families do not vacation as soon as the school year is over, preferring to wait until a bit later in the summer. However, the draw of ideal summer vacation weather in June will bring more crowds than you’ll see in the shoulder season. Known to have the best weather of the year, these mid-summer months welcome guests to dip their toes in the crystalline ocean.
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. As you might expect, there are fewer Mediterranean cruise options in the winter months. If there are specific "must-visit" ports on your list, a peak season cruise might be a better option. If you have some flexibility with what you want to see and do, a winter cruise could save you some money. During this time of year, you’re likely to see ships near full capacity, and not only will ships be busy, but the ports of call you visit are likely to be busier, too.
Budget-minded travelers may be inclined to book shore excursions on their own to save money, and if this is you, you may want to reconsider. With the heavy traffic in Rome that frequently causes long travel delays, even the best planners may arrive back at the ship late. Ships only delay embarkation for passengers on excursions booked through the cruise line.
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. While you might be able to find a cruise during this period, the number of ports options on itineraries decrease and options for shore excursion are limited. The tradeoff is not having crowds, with the exception of holiday markets in December, which are popular throughout much of Europe.
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