A Quiet Season Mediterranean Cruise? 7 Reasons to Go!

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November is the new September for cruising the Med – or so we’ve decided after our latest voyage!
Fresh back from our third Viking Ocean cruise – this time a Mediterranean cruise in November – we’re now fans of cruising in the slower quiet season.
Our one-week cruise on the Viking Saturn took us from Rome to Barcelona, tracing the coastlines of Italy and southern France. (Before setting sail, we explored Matera, Lecce, Monopoli and other beautiful Italian places in Puglia for two weeks on our own.)
November to March is the off-season for cruising the Mediterranean. And as we discovered, it offers a different kind of magic compared to going, say, in late spring or September.
Think fewer crowds, milder temperatures (ideal for sightseeing) and more authentic cultural experiences. Not to mention great cruise fares!
Sure, some seasonal spots scale back, but cruise lines know the best ports to visit. So, if the idea of interesting itineraries, quieter museums and uncrowded cafés sounds appealing – while also scoring great value on a luxury cruise – this might just be the perfect time to set sail.



7 Reasons to take a Mediterranean cruise in the quiet season
1) The mild weather is perfect for sightseeing
May, June, September and (early) October are usually viewed as the best months to cruise the Mediterranean.
And it’s true. These fall months are especially lovely for warm swims in Dubrovnik after walking atop the city walls or for beach hopping on a Greek Islands cruise.
So to be honest, going on a trip in November felt like a bit of a gamble. Would it rain? Would it be cold? Would we have any sunny days?
As it turned out, November in the Med is surprisingly pleasant! (Bonus: It’s usually warmer than back home in many places in North America!)
Mediterranean weather in the fall



Areas like Florence and Rome are said to have daytime November temps averaging between the low 50s F and mid-60s F.
But with changing weather patterns around the globe, warm days are lingering further into late fall in the Med.

Italy spoiled us with sunny skies and temperatures climbing to the low 70s by afternoon. In Florence, our tour guide Antonella joked about “dressing like an onion,” as we peeled layers down to short sleeves by mid-day.
Our ports-of-call in the French Riviera were cooler and breezier (think light jackets in Monaco and Marseilles), but Barcelona was warm and sunny again.
We found the cooler weather on our cruise perfect for sightseeing. We could walk and walk and walk for hours without breaking a sweat – such a relief compared to summer in the Med, when temps can soar past 100 F.
We’ve sweltered through an August cruise before, and let’s just say stepping off the ship in Sorrento felt like walking into an oven. (We ended up hiding in our air-conditioned cabin!)
We can’t imagine braving ancient sites like the Acropolis in Athens or Rome’s Colosseum in this kind of heat.
Another plus for us – no rainy days! Though light drizzle can be expected sometimes during the quieter months, we lucked out. (Meanwhile, back home in Victoria, BC, it was a dreary 50 F and raining, so we were definitely tickled to escape that.)
Weather on winter Med cruises?
Expect chillier weather later in the winter months, with average high temperatures ranging from the 40s F to 59 F (occasionally hitting the low 60s). But it’s still mild enough to leave your parka and wool scarves at home.
You might also experience a night or two of rough waters on the Mediterranean Sea. (Our mid-November trip was calm and smooth as glass though.)
Onboard? Cruise ships are all about comfort too
For example, Viking Cruises’ ocean ships have retractable roofs.
When the roof is closed, you can soak up the sun around the main mid-ship pool without sea breezes interfering. Or snuggle up under a cozy blanket (provided).

2) Cruise fares are cheaper
Off-season cruising in the Med offers some of the best bargains of the year.
Viking Cruises has long been a trailblazer for quiet season Med voyages, and now other lines are following suit.
From November through March, cruise fares plummet as lines like Viking, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises and Windstar Cruises (which dubs this time period the Mediterranean’s “local season”) look to fill their ships.
Take our 7-night (8-day) “Iconic Western Mediterranean” Viking Saturn cruise in early November.
It was priced at $2,000 USD p.p. less compared to cruises in the May to early October period. In late November, the rate drops another $1,000. Viking’s December sailings for this itinerary start at around $3,300 p.p. – almost half the full brochure fares for summer.
Air fares to Europe are also cheaper during this time, making it a budget-friendly double perk. And once you’re there, savings stack up. Museums often reduce entrance fees and markets welcome a little friendly haggling.
3) There are fewer crowds



Another great reason to opt for a Mediterranean quiet season cruise? The crowds have dwindled a lot. It’s the best time to experience Europe’s famous sights and cultural gems without the crush of high season tourists.
We saw this firsthand in Florence.
On our shore excursion, we asked our guide what it’s like in September. She chuckled and exclaimed, “Oh, the crowds are elbow-to-elbow in the Piazza del Duomo!”
She wasn’t exaggerating.
Florence, which is home to about 380,000 residents, sees up to 40,000 visitors per day in peak season summer months. That’s over a million people a month! (The numbers are 25,000 people a day in March, April, May and October.)
But in November, we were able to comfortably stroll through the Piazza and take photos of Florence’s marvelous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
And at the Pitti Palace, Canova’s stunning marble Venus sculpture modeled by Pauline Bonaparte Borghese (Napoleon’s younger sister) was ours to admire and photograph without the usual inadvertent tourist photo-bombs.

This pattern holds across the Mediterranean.
We found both Barcelona and Rome, two popular cruise ports we’ve visited before in shoulder season months, less hectic and quieter on our November cruise.
Rome, while still lively, had shed some of its usual chaos. Of course, as one of Italy’s favorite large cities, it’s always busy. Popular tourist sights like the Trevi Fountain still drew crowds, and we held on tight to our bags there.
But walking through the rest of the city wasn’t a problem.
In Barcelona, we easily rented e-bikes from a shop off La Rambla to pedal along the oceanside pedestrian-and-bicycle path. The bike shop attendant was lazily watching TV with her dog when we walked in to pick up our bikes. We expect we were one of her few customers that day, and she seemed happy to see us.
And stopping for a coffee at a beachside café? No issue. Plenty of lounge chairs were available, and the cafés along Barcelona’s promenade were only half full on this sunny mid-November day.
We’d actually been a little apprehensive about visiting Barcelona. You may recall the city made headlines in July, 2024, when thousands of anti-tourism protesters made headlines marching through the streets – shouting: “Tourists go home!” and squirting visitors with water pistols.
But we didn’t experience any of this.
With fewer tourists, the atmosphere felt welcoming. Locals seemed genuinely pleased to have visitors for customers, restaurateurs greeted us warmly and service felt personal.
4) You’ll have a more local and authentic experience



Visiting the Med and Europe off-season doesn’t just mean fewer crowds. It also allows you to experience a destination the way locals do.
Cruising as a way of travel can sometimes feel hurried, with quick port stops focused on tourist hotspots.
But with fewer tourists around in the quieter months, you can experience sights and attractions in a more genuine way than in the high season. Shopkeepers and servers have time to chat without rushing, and you’re not likely to run into pushy hawkers.
We felt we blended more into the rhythm of local life, especially when we explored ports independently, like strolling on our own in Monaco.
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5) You can enjoy special itineraries



Certain unique itineraries, ports and excursions are only offered in the quiet season.
Fancy an exclusive concert in Valletta’s St. John’s Co-Cathedral?
This concert is a winter-only treat, available only on Viking Cruises’ November to March sailings of Malta, Morocco and the Med. The 16th-century cathedral enthralls with its beautiful Baroque architecture and Caravaggio artwork, making it the perfect setting for an unforgettable performance.
Speaking of cruising to Morocco, winter Mediterranean cruises beckon you to explore its exotic cities like Tangier, Casablanca and Marrakech.
The ultra-deluxe Seabourn line (unlimited free champagne and caviar, anyone?) typically offers a Canary Islands cruise in February from Barcelona, which includes Morocco.
Similarly, Celebrity Cruises features a ton of cruises to Morocco and the Canary Islands (also from Barcelona) primarily between November and March – making these cruises a seasonal winter pleasure.
(By the way, average highs in the Canaries range between 60 and 75 F from December to February. It definitely counts as beach weather – pack sunscreen, especially in December, the warmest of these months!)

Windstar Cruises also spices things up in winter with new stops in ports like Naples, Catania and Genoa.
And if you cruise between January and March, Greece’s Epiphany (a January festival of lights), Venice’s Carnival (starting in late February) and the dazzling Canary Islands Carnival (late February to early March) will make your trip even more festive.
For nature lovers, February is the almond blossom season in Greece and Cyprus, blanketing the countryside in delicate pink and white blooms.
6) Benefit from lower prices for pre- and post-cruise stays



We always like to add on extra days before and/or after our cruises.
A pre-cruise stay is a no-brainer, especially as we now never risk flying in on the day of embarkation. (Been there, and missed the boat once. Never again!)
While prices fluctuate depending on demand, traveling outside the summer peak often means snagging better deals on hotels and tours. It’s a smart way to stretch your travel budget and extend the adventure.
This time, we kicked off our two-week pre-cruise trip with a couple of nights in Rome in late October, then took the train to explore Puglia, before wrapping up with two more nights back in Rome from November 7 to 9.
Rome’s 4- and 5-star hotels are pricey anytime of year, but we saw a big price drop from October to November. Our charming 4-star hotel (Donna Camilla Savelli in the trattoria-packed Trastevere neighborhood) cost 150 Euros (about $160 USD) less per night in November compared to October.
And in Monopoli – where we stayed at the delightful seaside boutique Hotel Don Ferrante (one of our new all-time favorite hotels) – we enjoyed early November prices of $250 USD night, a steep drop from the roughly $420 a night charged in mid-July.
(We – okay, scratch that, just Janice – even went swimming in Monopoli! The sea was still warm enough.)



7) Last-minute deals are often possible
Booking outside of the traditional spring-to-fall Mediterranean cruise season opens the door to last-minute availability.
A romantic Valentine’s getaway? A spur-of-the-moment celebration for a 60th birthday? November to March is perfect for planning a spontaneous cruise.
Med cruises this time of year rarely sell out, making it fairly easy to book just weeks in advance.
For some of the best prices, check discount sites like Expedia and Kayak. Dig around and you might even score a 7-night slow season Mediterranean cruise for as low as $500 p.p.
But don’t forget to check the cruise lines’ official websites too. They often have exclusive last-minute promotions – bundling special fares with perks like onboard credits or free roundtrip airfare.
Downsides to a quiet season Mediterranean cruise
While there’s much to be said in favor of a winter cruise vacation, we should mention a few downsides.
Not the best weather for sun lovers
Now, you may not care about this if ancient history and medieval towns are your main interests.
But if you’re dreaming of beach days on your Mediterranean vacation, think again. Nice may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as the “Winter Resort Town of the Riviera” – and great for a stroll in the winter sun. But don’t expect to go for a swim!
Some attractions may be closed
In the larger cities, life goes on, whether it’s spring, early summer or the dead of winter. Everything is open. But some monuments, museums and waterfront cafés may close for renovations or maintenance in some port towns.
Shore excursions may be more limited
Winter cruises might not offer quite as many excursion options. Vineyards, boat trips or parks could be off the table, and excursions requiring minimum sign-ups may end up being canceled on a less-full cruise ship.
What do you think about cruising in the slow season?
Does November sound like a great time to cruise the Mediterranean? What about January?
Let us know in the Comments section below. We’d love to hear your views!
See our other posts on Viking Ocean Cruises
Our top travel tips and resources
Hotels: Booking.com is perfect for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Cruises: CruiseDirect offers amazing deals on cruises (including Holland America, Viking Ocean Cruises, Seabourn and other lines we’ve reviewed).
Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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Photo credits: All photos © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase, except 5, 17 to 20
We sailed on the Viking Saturn as media guests on a complimentary basis for review purposes. But as professional travel writers, we always maintain the right to freely express our views – you can trust that we share the good, as well as the not-so-good!
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