Mediterranean Cruise Travel Tips

             The idea of a Mediterranean cruise brings to mind blue waters, sunny beaches, major cities and small villages, world famous museums, ancient churches and ruins, great food and interesting cultures.  For the enterprising traveler, a cruise ship - which cuts down on travel time, and essentially provide you a floating hotel - a creates a convenient way to experience the Mediterranean and all the history and culture and beauty she has to offer.  Its no wonder that after the Caribbean and Alaska, the Mediterranean is the most popular cruise destination for Americans year after year. Traveling on a cruise to the Mediterranean at first look,  may seem a little daunting, with the different languages and cultures.  But with a little planning  and understanding your options, you can ensure you will have the most satisfying cruise experience.


When to Go
       Weather in the Mediterranean is marked by warm dry summers and wet winters.  So summer is the traditional season for Mediterranean cruises, when the sun is warm and the weather makes shore excursions enjoyable, but also the season for of the highest demand by far.  If you go in the summer book your cruise as far in advance as possible and use transportation where available when on shore.  If you can't deal with the crowds at the Colosseum in Rome during the summer heat, you can avoid the crowds and the heat by booking cruises early in the season - April and May -- and later, after Labor Day till early October.  You will save money on cruise fare and airfare by traveling in shoulder months.

What Itinerary to Choose
       Routes in the Mediterranean depend on the cruise line you select and the length of your stay.  The cruise lines separate the Mediterranean into two areas, east and west.  Western Mediterranean cruises stop in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France.  They tend to offer a wider variety of on-shore options, ranging from sunny beaches to cultural and historic hot spots.  You should pay attention to the size of a ship cruising to the western Mediterranean.  Big ships tend to focus on the largest ports, while smaller ships dock in more out of the way towns and villages.
       Eastern cruises travel to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia.  Most of them emphasize Greece for its combination of ancient culture and inviting islands; other destinations in the area focus more on museums and ruins, with less attention on the beaches.  Because the Mediterranean offers so many options, focus on a few specific areas you absolutely want to see and book the cruise that covers those areas, leaving the remainder of the region for another trip.

Which Cruise Line
       At the same time you're considering which countries to visit, check out the offerings of your favorite cruise  line.  In selecting a cruise line for a Mediterranean vacation, first-timers might ask themselves some questions about their expectations.  If your traveling with children, you might consider family friendly Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line or MSC Cruises.  If your more interested in good food, luxurious accommodations, adult activities, smaller ports and extended shore excursions; try a premium cruise line like Princess, or Celebrity, or luxury brands such as Oceania Cruises or Azamara Club Cruises.  Another decision you need to decide is on the atmosphere of the ship.  If you want more of an American themed ship, with English only language spoken and American themed meals and entertainment then sail on ships from American based lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, or Princess.  These lines run a limited number of ships on limited routes mostly on a seasonal basis.  If you want a more international cruise experience, with announcements made in multiple languages, and the blend of passengers more mixed, then a European based line like MSC or Costa Lines is for you.  Plus these cruise lines sail year round in the Mediterranean and offer more trip options than the American lines do.

What A Great Time For A Caribbean Cruise

       If you have been thinking of doing a Caribbean cruise this Fall or winter, this may be the best opportunity over the next several years; if you want variety and value.  The reason for this opportunity is simple old fashioned supply and demand. The cruise lines have significantly increased their capacity in the number of ships and cruises they are sailing to the Caribbean.  At the same time, the  demand has been flat cruises to the region; at the same time the overall cruise demand globally has increased.  What this means for you and I are more options at a lower price.

       The reason for this imbalance in supply is a combination of the cruise line looking for more stable markets for their ships, after a disastrous drop in demand for European cruises between 2010-12; and an increase in new ships and and new cruise lines entering the Caribbean market year round.  The Caribbean Princess, which would spend the summer in Europe is now based year round in Florida.  In addition, the cruise lines are adding new ships, with more features and larger capacities, such as the Norwegian Getaway, the Regal Princess and Royal Princess.  The Norwegian Getaway is based year round out of Miami, while the Princess ships are cruising the seasonally in the Caribbean.  Throw in the popular European line, MSC, which based its new 4000 passenger ship, the Divina, which they based this year in Miami for year round Caribbean cruises.  The result is a 20% increase in passenger capacity this Fall, compared to 2013.  Norweigian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan described this in Travel Weekly, as " the lemming theory... at the same time, and it's like you show your hand and everybody's in the Caribbean, with the capacity being up 20%."

       The demand has been flat for Caribbean cruises over the last several years.  The cruise lines think a major reason for this is is a perception in the public that the cruises are on the same old ships to the same old destinations.  In response, the cruise lines have increased their marketing to show the new features on their new ship; and and changing their cruises.  They are adding new ports of call, varying the port schedules, and adding both longer and shorter cruise lengths; to meet the changing demands of the American travelers.

       But this valuable opportunity for us; of more cruises and cruise options, will not last forever.  Already the cruise line have a reduction in both the number of ships to sail year round out of Florida and the number of ship cruising seasonally in the Caribbean for 2015/16.  Both MSC and Princess will discontinue year round sailing out of Miami. In addition, ships that had been scheduled to sail in the Caribbean such as the Norweigian Epic, and Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Quantum of the Sea, will be moved to other faster growing cruise regions, in this case Europe and China respectively.   What this means for us will be a large reduction in options for us next year.  So while the ships are all here this season, go have some fun on that cruise you want to do, try a new ship, enjoy the new cruise lengths and ports of call.  The value is hard to beat.