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But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time. On your winter Mediterranean cruise, you can stop in countries like Morocco to discover the exotic charm of cities like Tangier or Marrakech or walk through the vibrant cities of Barcelona and Valencia in Spain. The winter is also an excellent time to explore coastal towns and cities in Italy, such as Rome, Florence and Venice, which are ripe with art galleries and museums, as well as winter traditions like Christmas markets.
General information and popular routes
Visit the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, or the Colosseum in Rome; see Michelangelo's David in Florence, Italy; or make a pilgrimage to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Take a tour to a medieval town or marvel at the construction of a soaring cathedral. Know that you can't see everything in one Mediterranean cruise — even on sailings that run multiple weeks. 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. To decide what crowds would look like in various months, we looked at two popular ports where the effect of multiple ships is felt the most -- Santorini and Venice. Visit Santorini in June or July and you will find yourself fighting for breathing room among as many as 15,000 other cruise ship passengers.
Day Greek Isles Round-trip Rome: Santorini, Athens & Florence
And, best of all, it’s one of the few in the Med to offer options for those who are short on time or want to tack on a quick sailing to a longer trip. In summary, a Mediterranean cruise offers an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty. The best time to travel depends on personal preferences, with each season providing unique experiences. With diverse destinations and a range of cruise lines to choose from, a Mediterranean cruise caters to every traveler’s taste, promising a memorable and enriching adventure.
Best Palma Mallorca Beaches To Visit
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. The Mediterranean cruise shoulder season returns in September as a new school year begins, leading to fewer crowds and lower prices. In addition, the temperature in early September remains excellent, making the month one of the best times of the year for a Mediterranean cruise. Late June through mid-August are the busiest times to cruise to the Mediterranean. During the peak of summer, families with children are common onboard as well, as a mid-summer cruise fits well in the school summer vacation schedule.
November
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. From seeing historical monuments to experiencing local cuisine, shopping in some of the most luxurious places on Earth, and visiting awe-inspiring beaches, cruising provides stellar connections to Mediterranean countries. These cruises also cater to every type of traveler — from multigenerational families to solo travelers with options for adults only and all ages. Here are 10 of the best Mediterranean cruises to check out for your next vacation.
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. You might think the best time to cruise the Mediterranean would be summer because that's when the most ships are cruising in Europe. 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.
For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city. 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. The week-long trip on the Seabourn Encore offers a glimpse at a few of Greece’s best islands. Departing from Athens, the journey stops in Patmos, Agios, Mykonos, and Skiathos but also sprinkles in a few Turkish delights, including Kusadasi and Bozcaada, before disembarking in Istanbul.
When is the best time for Mediterranean cruises?
This charming seaside town is home to ancient ruins, white sand beaches, and beautiful bays. Adventure seekers can take a boat tour around Pigeon Island or explore some of the nearby caves. For shopping, head to the bustling bazaars or pick up some souvenirs at the local markets. The slightly cooler climate of the fall season doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the beaches of the Mediterranean — but it does make sightseeing more comfortable. Stroll through Rome and toss a coin into the promising waters of Trevi Fountain.
Month-Long Summer Mediterranean Cruise Pass - Virgin Voyages
Month-Long Summer Mediterranean Cruise Pass.
Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Mediterranean cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
The Mediterranean, with its beautiful beaches and welcoming breezes, is just what the doctor ordered for some rest and renewal. The holistic approach and teachings stem from Dr. Weil, known as the father of integrative medicine. The onboard spa is a natural extension, where a standard portfolio of treatments (massages, facials, wraps, and beauty treatments) is augmented by alternative therapies like acupuncture, sound therapy, and Chinese herbs. Royal Caribbean is the line to choose for those traveling in groups with varied interests and age levels.
Silversea is a luxury cruise line that presents a variety of Mediterranean itineraries on its smaller, more intimate ships. Cyprus is a hidden gem, with its beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, and rich history. Limassol is a popular stop, offering a mix of ancient ruins and modern amenities.
It’s also important to note that some attractions and restaurants may have limited hours or be closed during this shoulder season. 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. Many Royal Caribbean ships cross the Atlantic in April each year, traveling from the Caribbean to Europe in preparation for the cruise season. Ships arrive at the end of April or early May, the start of the spring’s shoulder season in the Mediterranean.
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. Windstar Cruises runs weeklong made-for-canoodling cruises through Greece, round-trip out of Athens, aboard its intimate, 148-guest, four-masted sailing yacht Wind Star. Spend three perfect days sailing from Haifa, Israel to Limassol, Cyprus, and back again. The quick cruise is the perfect way to get on the water if you just want to spend a weekend at sea on an otherwise land-bound trip. Check out a few shore excursions, or go it alone, knowing you have the perfect place to call home, even for a few days, each night.
Excursions include guided tours of historical sites like the Grotto of St. John in Patmos and wine tastings in Bozcaada. Disney does offer incredible itineraries, however, they are only in the Mediterranean during the peak summer season. Disney is a luxury cruise line and offers excellent amenities to complement your cruise holiday. With festivals all season long, you might be lucky enough to experience them for yourself. Visit Barcelona around the end of September for a chance to see spirited bands parading through the streets, attracting locals and visitors alike.
May is one of the very best times to cruise the Mediterranean, with long, sunny days, al-fresco dining, comfortable temperatures, and manageable crowds. The month kicks off with Labour Day, on May 1, which is celebrated as a national holiday all over the Mediterranean, so expect locals to be out and about. For Caribbean cruises, December to April offers the best weather and the opportunity to escape the winter chill. In the Mediterranean, April to June and September to October provide pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and gorgeous scenery.
Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Europe, so your November cruise vacation won’t include any major holiday weekends. The only significant public holiday is All Saints’ Day, November 1, which is celebrated in most Catholic countries. If you’re sailing from Santorini, for example, watch the sun sink beyond the caldera in a blaze of orange. 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.
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