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Everyone has their favorite list of the best Mediterranean cruise ports (as evidenced by the discussion I just had with TPG's cruise team about which to include). Some travelers want to hit all the most popular cities, while others prioritize the ability to walk right off the ship into the heart of the town. Some ports are better for historical attractions, others for cafe culture or outdoor activities. May and September can also be great times to cruise Alaska if you'd like to save a little money. Whale watching is good in both months, as gray and humpback whales migrate to and from the state.
Best time to cruise the Caribbean and Bahamas: December-May
On luxury lines like Silversea, spring cruise fares were hundreds of dollars cheaper per person per night compared to summer fares. The Bermuda cruise season generally runs from late March into early November. For mild weather, cheaper cruise fares, and fewer crowds, try to sail right at the beginning of the season in April or May.
When Is Rainy Season?
Expect highs of up to 79°F (26°C) in Marseille and 81°F (27°C) in Mallorca. 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). While Ramadan is culturally an interesting time to visit, it won’t affect you as a visitor. Check out Hawaii cruises in May, when the weather is relatively dry as well. An 13-day Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona starts at around $799 per person.
Best time to cruise Bermuda to avoid crowds
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. Santorini is a good-sized island, but most of the things cruisers want to see are perched on the narrow rim of the cliffs. Compare that with an April or November stop there, where the daily cruise passenger load tops out around 3,000.
June: Welcome the Summer Solstice
Tulip-viewing itineraries in the Netherlands and Belgium are especially popular. Keep in mind that heavy rains and early-spring flooding can make the rivers swell and the locks impassable. Peak season for Western Mediterranean cruises runs from April through November, with stops generally in Spain, France, Italy and Malta. 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.
Giving River Cruising a Try in France - The New York Times
Giving River Cruising a Try in France.
Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean: December - Mid-April
July 14 is Bastille Day in France, which is a wonderful time to travel, as the night sky will be ablaze with fireworks. 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. Ports in the Southern Mediterranean, including those in Cyprus and Egypt, enjoy bright, sunny days almost year-round.
You'll also find lots of restaurant choices and evening entertainment options to keep you occupied at night when the ship is sailing. 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.
But many travelers head to this region specifically to see the dazzling fall foliage, in which case the best time to visit is October. September can be a good middle ground, because crowds will thin out (as school is back in session) but the weather will still be warm. There’s also a chance to see the start of the leaves changing towards the end of the month, though it varies from year-to-year and is never guaranteed. There isn’t really a “bad” time to cruise to Mexico’s west coast, as the weather ranges from balmy to hot the majority of the year, and cruise ships sail there year-round. Disney Dream sails three- to 12-night cruises to Northern and Western Europe, the British Isles and the Mediterranean. Cruise fares start from $308 per person, per night, for a windowless inside cabin.
The Best Time to Cruise the Mediterranean
Luckily, if you need a cool escape, you’ll always find air conditioning back on the ship. Countries all around the Mediterranean are gearing up for Christmas throughout December. Although you may envisage Christmas markets as being in snowy settings, you’ll find them everywhere, from Tenerife to Gibraltar. They make a colorful addition to any cruise, not to mention a great shopping opportunity. August 15 is the Feast of Assumption, or the Feast of the Virgin Mary, celebrated across the Roman Catholic countries of the Mediterranean with processions, parades, feasting, and floral decorations.
During spring also it is best to avoid the Easter holidays as many schools and colleges in Europe give a long break at this time so you could expect a heavy rush at this point too. The cruise season in the Mediterranean usually begins in April and ends in November, with peak season falling between June and September. Although more ships sail the Mediterranean in summer than at any other time, June through August is an excellent time to avoid, if possible. The negatives outweigh the positives in high season when, from Spain to the French Riviera to Turkey and Israel, summer heat and humidity can soar. Increased demand during school vacation affects both airline and cruise line pricing.
You may encounter some businesses and restaurants closed during August, but this is unlikely to significantly impact your cruise experience. Major tourist sites and the majority of businesses within cities will remain open in August. Essentially, if you want sunshine, head as far south and east as possible. More northerly destinations like Tuscany, the south of France, and Portugal will be feeling a little more autumnal by now, with more likelihood of rain. What’s more, this is the month when the wine harvest begins in regions including Rioja, Tuscany, and Provence, a time of great festivity. Days are hot and nights are still balmy, if a little cooler than in August.
Architecture buffs and art lovers will especially enjoy Rome, Florence, and Barcelona. The French and Italian Rivieras, Mallorca, and Monte Carlo feature beautiful beaches and lots of sun. Along the Rivieras, you can also rub elbows with some of Europe's rich and famous and shop in some of the world's best boutiques. Great Britain and Ireland - Late summer and early fall are the sunniest months.
The majority of ships, however, arrive in the spring and depart in the fall, choosing warmer climes like the Caribbean for holiday sailings. Most of those are European-based lines, such as Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises, but Viking also braves chilly weather for its destination-focused itineraries in Europe. Next, Europe is relatively compact and travelers can see many cities or sites efficiently. Most cruise ships sail at night and arrive in the next port of call early in the morning, allowing passengers a full day to see the sights.
Nearly every month has something to recommend it, depending on what you're looking for. Which luxury line is best for your Mediterranean cruise will come down to what you're looking for in a luxury ship and a European itinerary. However, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises stand out for including a large variety of shore excursions in their cruise fares. If you're a foodie, these two lines plus Oceania Cruises are notable for their culinary tours in port, plus destination-themed cooking classes on board.
River cruises also take passengers from Normandy to Paris or to southern France. A good rule of thumb is if there is a major city and a river nearby, there is probably a European river cruise. Coastal Norway and the Fjords - If your heart is set on seeing the magnificent fjords of Norway, don't get confused and book a northern European cruise that does not go to western Norway. Oslo (on the eastern coast of Norway) is on a fjord, but the countryside is hilly, not mountainous, and the fjords are not as dramatic as on the western coast.
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