The Caribbean Cruise Season
High Season: Late June August; Christmas and New Years weeks; February mid-April
Sailing during this season: During the peak Caribbean sailing period, there are generally two types of cruisers sailing families off from school, and those trying to escape the winter chills. It is a great time to sail with kids, and the childrens program is usually in full swing. The trade-off, however, is that it can be quite pricey, especially when you must add in flights, which you often must book even before you book the cruise because of the high demand.
If you are looking for peace and quiet on your Caribbean cruise, you may want to look outside of holiday weeks, as this is when the ships are at their highest capacity, especially with the American travellers. Cruise lines also send their biggest and most innovative ships to this region during high season.
Low/Shoulder Season: Late April May; September early January
Sailing during this season: With great weather and smaller crowds, the low season
can often be the perfect time to take a Caribbean cruise. You can often pay hundreds less per
person than what you would pay at peak times. However, Hurricane season does pose a threat and can mean a change of ports/route if one is brewing.
Northern Europe And Baltic Sea Cruises
Vast forests, impressive palaces, urban roller coasters all await you on your cruise to the Baltic Sea. For this cruise vacation, the summer season is the most recommended time. However, if you are keen on witnessing the magical northern lights phenomenon, the dark cloudless nights in winter would be ideal.
Why Plan A European Cruise
Europe is a marvelous cruise destination for several reasons. A European cruise can be a great vacation option for a first-timer or for someone who has been to Europe many times. A European cruise is an especially good fit for travelers who want to see the history, art, and natural beauty of Europe without having to navigate the roads and train stations or spend a lot of time planning where to stay and where to dine.
Here are several other reasons you should plan a European cruise:
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When Is The Right Time To Visit
Since planning a vacation is often dictated by factors beyond your controlfrom budgets to big events, the crowds to the cruise line’s itineraries or the amount of time off you have to others you’re traveling withthe Mediterranean is one of those picture perfect places that can actually be enjoyed year-round.
Cinque Terre in Italy is one of the most colorful cities in the world.If you have the freedom to choose when to cruise, here’s why our experts believe experiencing the Mediterranean in the fall months makes the most sense.
The Best Time To Book A Douro River Cruise Summer
While the Douro Valley is a must whatever the time of year, summer is still our pick of the best time to plan a visit. The blazing Portuguese sun suits the rugged landscapes of the river to a tee, and gives you the opportunity to combine cultural discovery with lazy afternoons sunning yourself on-board your Scenic Space-Ship.
Here are some more reasons why you should consider a summer escape to the Douro River.
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When Is The Best Time To Go On A European Cruise
Summer is the most popular time, but if your schedule is flexible you may want to travel in spring or fall when youll see fewer travelers and generally more attractive prices. The answer to this question also depends on your destinations, whether Northern Europe or Mediterranean countries. Check the weather in your destination cities and be prepared for chilly or rainy days.
How To Book A River Cruise
Are you thinking about a fun European river cruise?; Give us a call at 550-1235 and we can help you sort through the options, discuss potential obstacles, and book a wonderful sailing.; When you book with us, the price is never higher than doing it yourself, and many, many times we have special pricing options available that are not widely known to the general public.;
If you prefer, you can also use our online information request by .
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The Best Time To Visit Southern France: Fall
With warm temperatures late into October and some of the worlds greatest sunsets to be enjoyed throughout the season, fall is our pick of the best time of year to visit the South of France on a Rhône river cruise. Here are a few reasons why:
Experience harvest time on the vineyard; In;early autumn, the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône hang heavy with fruit, ready for the press. A vineyard tour in Mâcon or Tournon provides the ultimate experience for wine buffs.
Explore Arles and Avignon without the crowds The South of France is a busy place during the summer months, but things start to get quieter in the fall. This means that world-renowned destinations such as Avignon and Arles are easier to negotiate, with fewer people standing between you and revered heritage highlights like the Palais des Papes and the Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles.
The sunsets of Provence Words simply dont do justice to the beauty of Provences fall sunsets. As the sun dips beneath vineyards and fields teeming with lavender and sunflowers, the view is one youll treasure for a lifetime.
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What Is The Best Time Of Year For A European River Cruise
This can be a very tricky question to answer.; And to be frank, even the most experienced travelers are going to be disappointed from time to time.
Sure, there are experts out there , but the truth of the matter is: specific weather patterns are very difficult to predict six to twelve months out.
Our Sad Story
Carol and I tend to like to travel to Europe in the shoulder seasons .; The weather is generally cooler, the massive summer crowds gone, and you can often get more bang for your buck.
A while back, Carol and I flew off to the south of France for a long-awaited river cruise with our friends at Viking River Cruises. As we landed in London to swap planes and head to Marseilles, we got an email from Viking telling us that our river cruise was going to be disrupted by high water levels.; You can read the whole story by .
When we got to our starting point in Avignon, Viking offered their clients the option of leaving the sailing with a refund of the unused portion of their cruise, or continue on with the hopes of lower water levels in the coming days.; We opted to stay, and as it turned out, we never got to sail and wound up using our cruise ship as a hotel with luxury coach excursions to and from our ship each day.; But, at the end of this experience, even though we did get to see nearly all of our desired locations, Viking still offered their guests a 50% discount off of a future sailing.; Very generous, indeed.; You can read about that by .
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I know that this wasnt a very definitive answer to my initial question.; But the truth is, I dont have one of those goofy hats , and therefore, Im not a river cruise climatologist and dont have a definitive answer.
Your best course of action?; Be certain to include water level probabilities in your discussions and be aware of the possible risks.; No one can ever promise you absolute perfection with every travel experience.; Airline strikes, volcanoes, floods, and stifling hot weather are just a few of the things that can pop up to make a mess of your vacation.; Do your best to contemplate the things that can go wrong, and then be flexible.; You cant predict all things, but you can decide to make lemonade out of lemons.; Right?;
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The Cheapest Time To Cruise Europe
Hitting all the highlights of Europe while only having to unpack once sounds like a dream, right? On a cruise to Europe, this could be your reality. Europe is home to limitless culture and some of the most stunning ports of call in the world, and cruising Europe is one of the most efficient and economical ways to experience the continents beauty made all the better If youre able to snag a good deal! Most people will tell you that youll find the lowest prices during the shoulder seasons, and they would be right. Though the summer months of June through August are popular times to cruise, the high volume of travelers sends prices soaring. Coupled with higher temperatures and larger crowds, this season is one to avoid if youre looking for a bargain.
Travel to: Europe
Look instead at the prices from April to June and September to October and beyond, and youll find a huge difference. These off-season periods see smaller crowds, milder weather, and fairer prices, which make any cruise vacation more enjoyable. Whether youre looking to sail the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltics, or one of Europes many waterways, here are the cheapest times to cruise Europe.
Caribbean: December Through Mid
You can sail to the Caribbean year-round, but the best time to go is when it’s coldest in the Northern Hemisphere. Not only is the warm Caribbean climate a welcome respite from bad weather, but December through April are the driest months in the islands as well.
The cheapest times to cruise are typically in the late summer and fall because of hurricane season, but you can often find patches of bargain sailings, especially during the early weeks of December and in the spring. The timing of spring discounts isn’t always consistent, so it’s best to keep an eye out and book when you see a low rate. If you dislike crowds or large numbers of children, avoid sailing late June through August or during school break times .
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What Activities Are Important To You
Are there certain activities that you are most interested in experiencing during your Mediterranean cruise? Visiting in the off-season may coincide with festivals and events you wouldn’t get to see during the summer months.
The following are seasonal events and activities that won’t be available during every Mediterranean cruise, but you might be lucky enough to catch if you plan accordingly:
- Carnival Week
- Christmas markets
- Easter
- Cannes Film Festival
- Bastille Day
- Lavender season
- Music festivals and other events
Consider planning ahead if you’d like to try catching some of these seasons or festivals. Though, really, there’s never a bad time to explore some of the most picturesque places in the world.
Which Cruise Ships Sail Between Europe And The Us
Several of our award-winning Celebrity Cruise ships travel between Europe and the United States. Our roster of transatlantic cruise ships includes the Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Apex, and the Celebrity Constellation.
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Best Food And Wine Of The Season
Food and wine is another highlight for Mediterranean cruises in the fall. Of course, Mediterranean food and wine is available all year round, but the fall signals harvest season and many cities celebrate by hosting unique festivals for true food lovers.
Depending on the specific cruise itinerary you choose, Barcelona is a great port of call to visit during a fall Mediterranean cruise. Aside from architectural gems like La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell, the city hosts the Sitges Wine Harvest and Cavatast Festival in October drawing from nearby Rioja and Ribera regions.
Insider Tip: Dont miss the street food festivals in Barcelona! Try the Moscatel sweet wine or roam the city for fresh seafood, roasted sweet potatoes, pumpkin soups and marzipan.
The Best Time Of Year To Book A Rhine Main Seine Or Danube River Cruise Spring
Spring is undoubtedly best times to book a river cruise in northern Europe, particularly for destinations like the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and northern France. March, April and May mean rising temperatures and longer days creating the perfect conditions for sightseeing. Here are a few other reasons why spring is a wonderful time to enjoy a river cruise in northern Europe:
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Whens The Best Time To Visit The Mediterranean For Wine Tastings
If you want to enjoy wine tastings while in port during your Mediterranean cruise, tasting rooms are usually open for visitors during the entire cruise season. However, wine aficionados looking for a truly special time to visit the Mediterranean should book their cruise during wine harvest season in September and October, when the grapes become ripe and ready for fermentation.
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During harvest time, Celebrity Cruises can arrange a wine-focused group shore excursion or private journey, where youll be able to tour wineries and get an in-depth look at the harvesting process, which may include an afternoon of grape picking and wine tasting.
What Weather Do You Enjoy
Next, consider the type of weather you enjoy the most, so youre comfortable as you explore different sites. A Mediterranean climate typically ranges between 30 F and 100 F, with hot, dry summers and wet, mild winters. Youll also want to think about rain and how much youre willing to tolerate to avoid crowds. For example, November is the wettest month in Rome, and July is the driest. July is also during the peak tourist season in Rome. So, ask yourself whats more important avoiding rain or avoiding crowds?
Overall, many Mediterranean destinations rarely see extreme temperatures on either end of the spectrum, but the weather is still something youll want to consider. If you feel like you need sunny, warm weather to enjoy your cruise to the fullest, you may want to prioritize the weather when planning your trip. If you dont mind rain or look forward to slipping into a cozy sweater when temperatures drop, youll have more options to escape the crowds.
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Eastern Canada And New England Cruise Season
High Season: September and October
Sailing during this season: This time of year fetches high prices on land and sea for that
quintessential autumn in New England. You can see the leaves at various stages of colour as you cruise up the East Coast to Canada. The cooler temperatures make for nice walks in the numerous port cities, and as schools are generally not on holiday yet, the cruise itself is slightly quieter.
Low/Shoulder Season: July and August
Sailing during this season: The off-peak months have become quite popular as of late, with the excellent summer weather making the Canadian towns particularly nice. It is the best time for water sport enthusiasts and families, and these cruises have recently become high in demand.
What Are The Main Departure Ports In The Usa And Europe
Most of the cruises to Europe from the United States set sail from Fort Lauderdale or Miami in Florida. Some transatlantic sailings, mainly those traveling around Iceland and Greenland, cruise from Cape Liberty, New Jersey.
Cruises from Europe to the U.S. depart from Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Italy; and Southampton, England.
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Do You Want More Port Options
As you might expect, there are fewer Mediterranean cruise options in the winter months. If there are specific “must-visit” ports on your list, a peak season cruise might be a better option. If you have some flexibility with what you want to see and do, a winter cruise could save you some money. Plus, you’ll see fewer crowds.
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