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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. The cruise season in the Mediterranean usually begins in April and ends in November, with peak season falling between June and September. Mediterranean cruises come with a vast range of price tags, with variables like ports of call, ships, sailing dates, and the number of nights all coming into consideration. If you are looking for a similar peak-season cruise but have more time to spare, a 10- to 14-night cruise will easily balloon to $2,000 and counting.
Nice, France
Most ships sail the itinerary in the fall, winter and spring because those same ships head to Alaska for the summer. The two shoulder seasons – from April to early June and September to October – offer comfortable temperatures, but you'll need to dress in layers. The cruise season in Alaska runs from mid-April to September, with a few cruise lines extending the season into early October. Nearly every month has something to recommend it, depending on what you're looking for. What the fare covers on Mediterranean cruises• On mainstream cruise lines, the fare includes meals, room service, entertainment, and aside from a handful of special pay-for activities, the run of the ship.
Related Cruises
Instead, use May as a time to take in some of the most glorious sights in Europe in the late spring sunshine. Stroll around Pompeii (which has little shade, so is much more manageable in spring). Croatia’s island-specked coastline is the same; sailing and kayaking are fine, but only the hardy will be swimming in the sea. One exception is the Canary Islands, which lie in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Africa.
Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean: A Year-Round Guide - Cruise Critic
Best Months to Cruise the Mediterranean: A Year-Round Guide.
Posted: Sun, 19 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
Allowing a cushion of a day or more will ensure that you don’t miss your cruise (although you can catch up with it later). Even if everything goes as planned, you’ll have a relaxing day to explore the port city without having to rush to board the ship. Length of Eastern Mediterranean cruisesLike Western Mediterranean cruises, these itineraries usually last five to 14 nights.
Best Time to Cruise to Mexico: November - January
Norwegian's winter Mediterranean itineraries are focused on Spain and Portugal. You'll find ships cruising in the Med year-round, so there's never a time when you can't cruise at all. You'll find the most ships and itinerary choices in summer during peak season and the fewest during winter's off season. Spring and fall are considered the shoulder season, when the Mediterranean cruise season is gearing up or winding down. The best time to cruise Australia is from late November to March, when late spring crests into Australia's summer months. 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.
Best Time to Cruise the Mediterranean
Most ports will still receive a fair amount of tourists during the fall, especially closer to the beginning of September. By switching to a smaller ship and room category, you’re guaranteed to find lower prices. A 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Brilliance of the Seas in mid-July is priced at $1,860 for 2 adults in an interior cabin, around $1300 cheaper than a cruise on Odyssey of the Seas. See countrysides blanketed in lavender, cities sprinkled with oleander and balconies brimming with geranium.
Summer Mediterranean Cruises
Bears, whales, salmon and caribou are far more abundant June through August than at other times of year. You'll want to book well in advance for an Alaska cruise between June and August, as itineraries tend to sell out quickly. High season is when you'll find the most cruise options, highest prices, most crowded ships and best weather. The shoulder season coincides with moderate demand and relatively nice weather, and fares will be lower. Low season is the cheapest season -- and least busy -- but may mean sacrifices in what you can see and possible cancellations due to weather. You will, however, want to avoid booking a cruise around the holidays at the end of the year and during spring break (March and early April).
Cruises lasting up to 12 nights are typically classified as Western or Eastern Mediterranean itineraries, with Rome, Italy, serving as the unofficial dividing line between the two. It is not uncommon for lengthier sailings to cover both regions, particularly with some of the luxury cruise lines. You can usually find the best prices for an Alaska cruise during the shoulder season months of April, May, September and October. For example, starting rates are as low as $603 per person for a seven-night Inside Passage cruise sailing round-trip from Seattle with Royal Caribbean in May 2024. However, by the peak summer season in late June and July, the starting price is $921 per person. 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.
25 BEST Europe Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Europe on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
25 BEST Europe Cruises 2024 (Prices + Itineraries): Cruises to Europe on Cruise Critic.
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Some of the Caribbean's nicest weather is in May, at the start of shoulder season. Online travel engines may be the easiest way to book most trips these days, but when it’s time to buy a cruise, make sure to also try a cruise agent. They can offer you unadvertised discounts, group rates, and personalized service in case anything should go wrong. Consider planning ahead if you'd like to try catching some of these seasons or festivals.
Some of the major European tourist destinations have strict dress codes — typically everyone must at least cover their shoulders and knees out of respect. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. I wanted the day to end before we even made it to the Vatican on our tour. Check out Hawaii cruises in May, when the weather is relatively dry as well.
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. 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. Although no one definition of the Western Mediterranean’s boundaries is set in stone, one can rightly consider the region to stretch from Agadir, Morocco, and the Canary Islands to the western coast of Italy. 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.
The vines are turning golden and beach destinations are beginning to take on an end-of-season feel, although you should still enjoy plenty of sunny days. February is one of the busiest months for tourism in Egypt, when the temperatures are more conducive to visiting ancient temples and the fabulous Pyramids of Giza, which you can do on a day trip from Alexandria. Pack layers, as the weather varies; you could encounter pleasant sunny days but equally, cooler weather and rain. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. 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.
However, if you prefer milder temperatures and a more relaxed atmosphere, the shoulder season of autumn or spring may be more suitable. I am a travel advisor and cruise specialist with extensive experience in cruising multiple times. In this comprehensive guide, I will help you navigate the world of Mediterranean cruises and determine the best time to embark on this unforgettable adventure. 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. August is the very peak of the Mediterranean season, with July’s hot weather continuing and regular daily highs of more than 86°F (30°C) throughout the region.
It's also the rainy season, and it's possible to have hurricanes during these months. For the best weather, book your cruise during the dry season, between November and May. The weather can be cool at times along the Pacific coast, so if you're looking for warmer temperatures, you'll need to head to cities located farther south, such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. Transiting the Panama Canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean is a bucket-list trip for many travelers. Panama and the bordering countries in Central America have a tropical climate with lush landscapes and rainforests, so you can expect wet weather at certain times of the year.
During the winter months, bargain shoppers will find the lowest rates for Mediterranean cruises, with temperatures hovering in the 50s and ports largely devoid of crowds. 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.
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