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October sees slightly chillier weather than September, but is also considered one of the best months for a Mediterranean cruise, and a bit of a “hidden secret” among those cruising to Europe in the fall. Royal Caribbean’s Mediterranean season continues to late October or early November, at which point ships return to the Caribbean for the winter season. 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. Pricing during shoulder season tends to be slightly cheaper than mid-summer. An ocean view balcony stateroom for 2 adults on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Symphony of the Seas in early May is priced at $3056 total.
Greece and Turkey
Take a romantic gondola ride through the Grand Canal, explore St. Mark’s Square, or take in some of Venice’s impressive art galleries and churches. You can also venture out to the nearby islands for picturesque beaches and relaxing coastal views. Barcelona is a vibrant city known for its unique blend of Gothic and modernist architecture, stunning beaches, and lively food and nightlife scene.
Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Santorini (Mediterranean Cruises)
During those months, it's more pleasant to engage in outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking, which are a highlight when visiting places like Panama and Costa Rica. Fares for seven-night cruises in May 2024 are as low as $499 per person on an MSC cruise sailing round-trip from Miami and even less expensive at $399 per person come September. Almost any time of year is a good time to sail to the Caribbean or Bahamas, with year-round sunny skies, warm temperatures and glistening turquoise blue waters. If you want to avoid rain, May is typically the driest month, with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50s. It's a great month for nature lovers to cruise to Alaska because May is when you'll see much of the wildlife emerging, including migrating gray whales, Dall sheep, moose and migratory birds.
Choosing the Perfect Month for Mediterranean Cruising
Admire the hot pink bougainvillea flowers that bloom around Santorini’s white-walled homes and the vibrant green grass surrounding the Leaning Tower of Pisa. During July and August, cool down with fresh Italian gelato after relaxing on the beaches of Positano. Or step out of the daylight and into the Accademia in Florence, where Michelangelo's David sits gracefully on display. If you don't enjoy big crowds with lots of partying, avoid a cruise to Australia during the New Year's Eve festivities, as it's one of the busiest times of year for tourists, especially in Sydney. Australia Day celebrations can also draw crowds, so be aware if your itinerary includes that January holiday.
For 12 glorious days, you can set sail through the Mediterranean with Holland America. The trip includes stops in Italy (including Venice, Sicily, Amalfi, and Rome), Greece (including Katakolon, Souda, and Mykonos), Albania, and Malta (including Valletta and Mgarr). When not exploring at port, make sure to take advantage of the ship’s luxurious spa, which comes with the bonus of the soft rocking of the waves to lull you into tranquility. Holland America doesn’t have the wide-ranging options like other cruise lines on this list, however, the sailings it does offer are top-notch.
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. Evenings are balmy, too, so there’s no need to pack any warm clothes unless you plan to spend a lot of time in air conditioning.
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. Mediterranean cruise season begins in spring (May) and lasts until late fall (November). Often, if you visit in high season, you will have better weather and more open attractions, but thicker crowds.
Because the Mediterranean is almost entirely closed by land, it has a unique climate and ecosystem, with the shores of Europe to the north, Asia to the east, and Africa to the south. Because the Mediterranean Sea is so vast, it lends itself to spectacular cruise opportunities that give visitors a chance to explore the region by boat and check off multiple countries on their wish list. In this guide, we walk through the best time to cruise the Mediterranean and what you can expect during each season. Mediterranean Cruises in Summer School is out, which makes summer the best time to cruise the Mediterranean for families with tight schedules. Temperatures in Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia will be in the 90s, but the tranquil ocean waters invite a cool off.
July/August
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Through her blog and advising business, Chantelle shares her love for travel and helps others plan their dream vacations. Check the visa requirements for the countries you’ll be visiting during your cruise. 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. In addition to Disney Cruises, you may consider “Adventures by Disney” which offers smaller ship sizes, fewer guests, local guides, and tours of some of the most impressive sights on Mediterranean waters.
Venice has recently cut back on its cruise tourism capacity, in part by forcing some ships to dock in alternate ports and bring guests to the city by bus. We included passenger counts from Trieste, Ravenna and Venice and found June numbers as high as 6,000 passengers arriving, but as low as 4,000. The numbers are lower than Santorini — but then, Venice has a far more complicated crowd control scenario. In the early season you can expect pleasant temperatures that are ideal for exploring the Mediterranean’s cities.
Late March through April is also a great time to explore destinations such as Morocco, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and the beautiful Adriatic Sea. 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. If avoiding high prices and crowd congestion is your priority, rule out summer months and stick with either winter or the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
To avoid any potential travel delays or complications, it is advisable to arrive at least a day before your cruise departure. This allows you to relax, adjust to the time zone, and explore the departure city before embarking on your Mediterranean adventure. Norwegian Cruise Line offers Mediterranean itineraries that range from 3 to 14 days. Enjoy onboard amenities like poolside movies, gaming tournaments, and interactive theatre performances while taking in the stunning sights of the Mediterranean. Royal Caribbean International offers a wide range of Mediterranean itineraries with luxurious amenities and entertainment options. Enjoy innovative onboard activities like rock climbing, surfing simulators, and Broadway-style shows while exploring the Mediterranean’s captivating destinations.
Similarly, wine enthusiasts may prefer to book their cruise around peak harvest season, while beach seekers will want to cruise the Mediterranean when there’s the least chance of rain. Yours might include traveling while school is out or maximizing time at the beach. Perhaps you are loyal to one particular cruise line or have your heart set on cruising on a newly launched ship. I've been to Santorini when four mid-sized ships (approximately 5,000 passengers) were in port and found it challenging to walk through the narrow maze of shops, restaurants and hotels. It was crowded enough that I was concerned about returning to the ship on time because the lines at the cable car that takes cruise passengers down the cliffs to the tender dock were so long. With 15,000 people in port, I don't know how you'd be able to walk through town at all.
Just be aware that if you head to Alaska early in the spring, some of the stores may not have opened yet. Arrive in the fall, and you may find that tour operators and shops have begun to cut back hours or have closed. 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.
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.
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