Table Of Content
For most schools in the United States, summer break runs from the middle of June until the end of August or the beginning of September. If you’re searching for winter sun as well as the cultural pleasures of a Mediterranean cruise, choose a voyage that combines the Canary Islands with Mediterranean ports. If you’re looking to avoid high temperatures while on a Mediterranean cruise vacation, then it’s best to avoid the last half of July and the entire month of August when average temperatures can reach over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Make the most of late stays in port to enjoy blissfully warm evenings ashore. If you’re sailing from Santorini, for example, watch the sun sink beyond the caldera in a blaze of orange.
Celebrity Cruises
The tours are usually led by locals, which means the guides can also give you some good recommendations if you have time before you need to return to the ship. 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. 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.
Mediterranean Cruise Ports in Italy
Those months coincide with peak season in the Caribbean, though, so crowded ports and beaches plus higher cruise fares are the norm. 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. Arriving a day early for an overnight stay in your port of embarkation is always a good idea, but when you are cruising outside of the U.S., it’s a must.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Mediterranean?
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. Adventure by Disney includes overnight stays in some locations, fine dining, and tours of the major religious sites in the area. 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. Escape to Nice, France for a truly unforgettable experience during your Mediterranean cruise. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais for breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters.
There’s also the opportunity to shop for crafts in the Italian Riviera, learn about perfume-making in the French Riviera, admire scenery that inspired Vincent van Gogh in Provence, and enjoy tapas and a flamenco show in Spain. Regent recently launched special behind-the-scenes design tours that look at architectural marvels in cities such as Marseilles and Barcelona for a deeper dive into the building of these historic places. The 10-night sailing between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona on July 13, 2023, starts from $11,299/person; 7-night sailings are from $7,999/person; rssc.com.
20 best Mediterranean cruises for a great seagoing getaway - The Times
20 best Mediterranean cruises for a great seagoing getaway.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you’re coming to Europe for the culture rather than the beach, April is a great time to visit. You should enjoy fine weather (in the south, at least) and places like the art museums in Florence and the Parthenon in Athens won’t yet be teeming with visitors. 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. Shops and restaurants are open, and there’s a good chance that you can enjoy outdoor dining, although taking layers is always a good idea in case the sun goes behind a cloud. 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.
Viking Cruises
Pack layers, as the weather varies; you could encounter pleasant sunny days but equally, cooler weather and rain. Early to mid-September can be looked at as an extension of summer in most Mediterranean cruise ports, with hot, sunny temperatures. Temperatures begin to cool down in late September and early October, but still remain relatively pleasant. Along with more demand comes higher prices, with July usually the most expensive month of the season and August slightly cheaper. A 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey of the Seas in mid-July, as an example, is priced at $3,163 total for 2 adults in an ocean view balcony room. Late June through mid-August are the busiest times to cruise to the Mediterranean.
Best Mediterranean itineraries
The Western Med averages around 65 to 80 cruises per month during the summer high season, with over 20 options for embarkation – more than twice that of the Eastern Mediterranean. Travelers will encounter stunning beaches, remarkable landmarks of architecture and history, picturesque small towns, and thriving metropolises. Due to comfortable temperatures, the early shoulder season in the Mediterranean is a nice time to explore ports that can get uncomfortably hot in the peak summer months. 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. Mediterranean cruises in Fall Fall is a considered the best time to cruise the Mediterranean for cultural excursions without the crowds.
When considering a Mediterranean cruise, you'll find that it offers not only a rich cultural experience but also abundant wildlife encounters. In these waters, you can observe a diverse range of marine species, including swordfish, tuna, dolphins, and even some white sharks. Along the coastlines of Albania, Greece, and Turkey, you'll have the chance to spot loggerhead turtles and endangered monk seals. Portugal, Spain, and Morocco host storks, flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, and egrets, while Greece is home to golden eagles and giant black vultures. Albania and Montenegro boast the rare white pelican, and Montenegro is home to Europe's largest bird sanctuary, Lake Skadar, spanning 27 miles.
Livorno also has incredible natural beauty with its beaches, rolling hillsides, and breathtaking views of the sea. With its sunny weather and stunning coastline, it’s an ideal destination for cruisers looking to relax and explore. Cartagena’s best shore excursions are the best way to enjoy Cartagena’s tourist hotspots, including the ancient walls of Cartagena and the nearby Roman ruins of Carthago Nova. Research the specific destinations and ports of call you’d like to visit during your cruise.
Indoor locales aren’t affected by the rain and the reduced crowds mean a greater opportunity to sample the art and culture. Shoulder season takes place in March and April in the spring and September and October in the fall. Adventure Life International, Cruise Critic, and other experts consider this the best time to take a cruise; the weather remains cooperative with mild clear days, and the crowds are smaller than they are in July and August. Itineraries may be more limited than they are in the summer, however, and cruises may be shorter. The most easterly of the Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, Holy Land cruises spend time in Israel and sometimes Egypt, often with overnight stops or multiple days spent in each country to maximize touring opportunities. You can find a variety of weeklong Mediterranean cruises, but if you've got the time, nine- to 14-night sailings are not uncommon.
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. Sample traditional dishes in the lively waterfront promenade, explore 2,300 years of history at sites like White Tower and Byzantine churches, or take a food tour through the city’s renowned street markets. Mykonos is the quintessential Greek island, with whitewashed streets, blue-domed churches, and stunning beaches. Take a dip in azure waters, stroll through picturesque villages, admire local art galleries and craft shops, or party the night away at world-famous beach clubs.
If you dislike large numbers of children, avoid sailing late June through August or during school break times (late December, early January and March through mid-April). 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. 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.
Beyond the most recent developments in the Mediterranean, here’s what you need to know about what each season holds. If you've never been to Europe, you may feel overwhelmed by destination choices. If you know which ports are on your must-see list, you might be more stumped by which cruise line to choose or which specific itinerary will be the best for you.
Some cruise lines may include airfare as part of a promotion, which will be very clear in the wording of the price quote. • Check out newsletters with cruise-bargain listings published by the cruise lines themselves, travel agencies, and online resources like our Europe Cruise Deals page. This region of Europe is one of the most fun places to go in the summer for families, and the best time of year to visit the Mediterranean is during the school summer break. This is important to keep in mind if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like the heat since many restaurants and shops don’t have air conditioning. Luckily, if you need a cool escape, you’ll always find air conditioning back on the ship. 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.
I wanted the day to end before we even made it to the Vatican on our tour. SeaDream Yacht Club runs dozens of Mediterranean voyages annually aboard its twin luxury sailing yachts. The goal is to think about what you want to do during your adventure, whether that be sunbathing on a Mediterranean beach or eating pizza with locals as you watch the rain trickle down medieval rooftops. With its picturesque coastal scenery, ancient ruins, and island paradises, the Mediterranean is an incredibly popular cruise destination. Yet with a diverse climate across various locales, the timing of a Mediterranean cruise is an important consideration.
No comments:
Post a Comment