Venice to Istanbul

[shyla100]

Hi has any one cruised from Venice to Istanbul in late October into November to let us know if the weather is a problem .

 

As are looking to book  the cruise for 2023 and thinking it may be to late in the year?

 

Any advice would be appreciated 

[galeforce9]

7 hours ago, shyla100 said:

Hi has any one cruised from Venice to Istanbul in late October into November to let us know if the weather is a problem .

 

As are looking to book  the cruise for 2023 and thinking it may be to late in the year?

 

Any advice would be appreciated 

I’ve been in that area in very early November and had sleet/snow in Istanbul/ very cold in Istanbul and Athens.  Admittedly that was unusual but I think the wind was from a very cold direction.   

[adoctor]

Cruise operators try to extend the European season into winter. Its not a great time and likely to be wet and windy. Of course you could be lucky with short bright days but IMHO cruising the Med at this time of year is not recommended.

May or June would be better.

[AnnieO2019]

Also the tourist season in Italy and Greece tends to wind down at the end of October with some restaurants and hotels closing for winter. Probably won’t affect sightseeing but just something else to take into consideration.

[Hlitner]

I would focus this thread on Venice for a couple of reasons.  Cruises that used to embark at Venice (which was a convenient and decent port) now embark from various places such as Trieste or Ravenna which are hours distant.  But late fall/winter trips that involve Venice run a risk of finding most of Venice under water.   Flooding is all too common in Venice, it is when they locals bring out the wooden sidewalk platforms, and folks need their waders to walk through the water.    The good news is that if the weather (and water levels) are favorable you will find yourself in a Venice that is not generally jam packed with tourists.

 

Hank

[lincslady]

We have cruised in the Med. into November, and the weather can be poor - I would recommend trying to book  a cruise which finishes before November starts, if possible.

[worcestergal]

Several years ago, we did an Adriatic cruise on Seabourn which started in Venice on October 31 and went to Slovenia, Croatia and Greece.  We had absolutely glorious weather. Yes, Venice was rather under water, but it was into see how the place coped with the wooden platforms and it was actually kind of fun. 
So, perhaps we were just lucky with the weather, but it was wonderful to see places that were not mobbed with tourist crowds. 

[brittany12]

Here's the thing after of course the notes about it not being Venice at all and probably Trieste.. The couple of Greek islands that you will stop at enroute to Istanbul are not terrific after Sept 1. Lots of merchants and shops  shut down after the busy summer season. One can say that is great because lots of tourists gone, but for us the Greek islands lose a lot of the charm the deeper into October and November you get. Corfu-town probably on your itinerary down the Adriatic may be the exception.

[galeforce9]

2 hours ago, brittany12 said:

Here's the thing after of course the notes about it not being Venice at all and probably Trieste.. The couple of Greek islands that you will stop at enroute to Istanbul are not terrific after Sept 1. Lots of merchants and shops  shut down after the busy summer season. One can say that is great because lots of tourists gone, but for us the Greek islands lose a lot of the charm the deeper into October and November you get. Corfu-town probably on your itinerary down the Adriatic may be the exception.

Agree.  Rhodes is also ok and probably kos.  Mykonos not so 

[shyla100]

Thank you all so very much for your honest replies . It is exactly what I needed to read, so we look at booking something earlier , thank you all and happy cruising 

[marazul]

Mid-september is a wonderful time to cruise that area.

[highplanesdrifters]

Thanks to all for posting on this thread. We have this itinary for November next year.  I'm still on the fence. I like the idea of less crowds though.