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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. Peak season for Western Mediterranean cruises runs from April through November, with stops generally in Spain, France, Italy and Malta. The Canary Islands and the warmer Eastern Mediterranean (Croatia, the Balkan countries, Greece and Turkey) welcome cruises between April and December, with a sprinkling of winter cruises from select lines. May and late-October Canada and New England cruises are the cheapest times to cruise, but don't expect to be using the onboard swimming pool much. A wide variety of large, small and luxury lines cruise the romantic ports of the Mediterranean.
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Beyond the most recent developments in the Mediterranean, here’s what you need to know about what each season holds. 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. After taking my first Mediterranean cruise last year, here's what I think everyone should know before booking the route. • Suites These come in several configurations but usually include separate bedrooms, larger bathrooms, walk-in closets, and extra services like a butler, concierge, and Internet access. Some even have dining rooms, butler’s pantries, hot tubs, and baby grand pianos.
Food tours are a great way to see a city, taste local dishes, and learn some history.
Take in the rich culture, history, and breathtaking scenery of the Mediterranean on board state-of-the-art ships equipped with world-class amenities. Unleash your sense of adventure and book your Mediterranean cruise today to discover the best that this remarkable region has to offer. Silversea Cruises is a line that offers small-ship luxury experiences, and they prioritize customer service providing butler service to guests in every suite. Their ships in the Mediterranean Sea visit ports in Croatia, France, Greece, Gibraltar, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Spain and Turkey. Royal Caribbean is known for its large ships that provide entertainment and activities onboard where the ship is a vacation destination in addition to all the wonderful ports the ships dock at.
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With this cruise company, you’re almost spoiled with choice, making it hard to pick just one itinerary. So maybe, think about it as this year’s trip, then the next, then the next, and on and on forever, because there are just so many options available. In some cases, heat waves and low rainfall can cause European rivers to be too low for ships to sail. Additionally, depending on where you're sailing, July and August may mean some local cafes and restaurants are closed for summer holidays. Baltic and Northern European cruises have a shorter season, running from April to October.
Take the seven-night journey on Cunard’s Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Mallorca, Corsica, Rome, and Naples. Visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, shop and eat your way through Rome, walk in the footsteps of Napoleon Bonaparte in Corsica, and so much more. Be sure to pack comfortable clothing -- and especially shoes -- for long days of sightseeing. However, Europeans tend to dress with a bit of panache; to fit in, pack a stylish scarf or hat, and maybe leave your lanyards and socks and sandals at home.
The company is strictly for guests ages 18 and up, providing a more mature cruising environment. The company stops in dozens of ports, making finding a cruise that fits your travel desires a snap. And the cruise line offers free shore excursions to enable all guests to experience the ports to their fullest. Alaska has a short cruise season that lasts from late April through October. June through August is Alaska's high season, when weather is warmest and summer vacation season is in full swing. However, crowds and high fares are the norm at this time of year and rain is likely, especially in August.
Viking Cruises
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. Expect highs of up to 79°F (26°C) in Marseille and 81°F (27°C) in Mallorca. Fields are bright with wildflowers and temperatures can rise to 63°F (17°C) in Cyprus and 62°F (16°C) in Athens. One exception is the Canary Islands, which lie in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Africa. January is one of the busiest times here as the Canaries is the easiest way for northern Europeans to find winter sun without taking a long-haul flight.
Mediterranean Cruises
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. Depending on when Easter falls, March is Easter holiday season for many European countries, and visitor numbers begin to rise. But there’s no such thing as Spring Break in Europe, so there are no rowdy student areas to avoid. What’s typically the low season is becoming increasingly popular for Mediterranean getaways.
Weather
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. From the sun-drenched Greek islands to the romantic coastal towns of Italy and the captivating beauty of Spain and France, the Mediterranean is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. If you’re looking for a spontaneous getaway, look for last-minute cruises to the Mediterranean.
BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to the Western Mediterranean (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
BEST Royal Caribbean Cruises to the Western Mediterranean (with Prices) 2024 & 2025 on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 04:30:16 GMT [source]
Viking Ocean's Mediterranean cruises visit ports in Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia and Tunisia. Across the board, from mainstream to luxury, Mediterranean cruise fares peak in June, July and August. Prices for big-ship cruises varied by as much as $60 per person per night between spring sailings and summer. On luxury lines like Silversea, spring cruise fares were hundreds of dollars cheaper per person per night compared to summer fares. 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.
If this is the only chance you have to cruise, keep in mind that itineraries can change or be canceled depending on the weather. Dubrovnik is a historic walled city that is very walkable, so if this is a stop on your Mediterranean cruise, you can opt for touring the city on your own or booking a shore excursion. If traveling during the summer, the beach offers activities from lounging and swimming to kayaking. For those more interested in history, walking tours offer an insight into Dubrovnik's top sights. Most people in the U.S. who have heard of Cannes probably know it from the Cannes Film Festival, but it’s also a popular Mediterranean cruise port.
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. Mediterranean cruises typically depart anywhere from Atlantic-facing Lisbon, Portugal, to the west to Istanbul, Turkey, to the east, with literally hundreds of ports (some points of embarkation) in between. However, Savona, Genoa, and Bari, in Italy; Malaga, Spain; and Monte Carlo, Monaco, also see their fair share of action throughout the season. And, despite not being in the Mediterranean, England’s Dover and Southampton (just outside of London) are popular jumping-off points for Western Mediterranean itineraries. Rome is a popular destination with its mix of ancient and religious sites, including Vatican City, as well as delicious food and cultural offerings. You'll want to plan ahead because the actual city of Rome is about an 80- to 90-minute train ride from the port city of Civitavecchia.
Fall can also be a great time to visit the most southerly Mediterranean ports, such as Egypt and Israel, as the peak summer months are almost sure to be uncomfortably hot. 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.
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. Notably, Turkey serves as a prominent destination for birdwatchers, with approximately 250 bird species migrating through the country each spring and fall as they journey between Africa and Europe. At Cruisebound, we're here to help you explore the wonders of the Mediterranean, offering you the opportunity to immerse yourself in its vibrant cultural tapestry and its thriving wildlife.
During low season, average mainstream cruise prices are usually priced $200 to $500 less than on the same itineraries in the summer months. Tourists flock to Europe in the summer, but the best time for a European cruise is in the late spring and early fall. Temperatures are more pleasant and the crowds of tourists tend to much smaller than the peak summer months. You'll also find the lowest Europe cruise prices during these two shoulder seasons, which run from April through early June and September into October. Those months coincide with peak season in the Caribbean, though, so crowded ports and beaches plus higher cruise fares are the norm.
Best things to know before booking a Mediterranean cruise, travel tips - Business Insider
Best things to know before booking a Mediterranean cruise, travel tips.
Posted: Sun, 21 Apr 2024 11:34:00 GMT [source]
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. Cruises depart from Barcelona for the Canaries, visiting ports in the Mediterranean and Morocco along the way.
