Med. in Late Oct. or Nov.

[nrunnion]

Is it wise to book a Med trip say on October 27? Aren't the temperatures getting cool. Need advice.

NR

[dbh62ark]

We cruised in late October in the Med a few years ago and think it has advantages and disadvantages. The big advantage, which was a huge factor for us, is that the crowds are so much smaller, and that is very nice. As far as the temperatures being cool, that's a very good thing, especially if you're going to Greece, unless you're planning on going to the beach. And I never can understand why someone would go to Europe to go to the beach, but that's just my perspective.

 

The disadvantage is that you're taking a chance on the weather. You might check http://www.weather.com or http://www.wunderground.com for averages for your ports during the time you plan to visit.

 

While on our cruise during that time period, a bad storm developed quickly while we were in port in St. Tropez, and we had to skip the port of Portofino. We had been to Portofino on a previous cruise, so we weren't devastated, but some passengers were very disappointed. Also, the cruise line made the passengers who tendered in from St. Tropez for lunch stay on the ship and wouldn't let them back off. We climbed the hill to the fort to see our ship in the harbor and saw the storm brewing and knew it didn't look good, but we got to stay out in port all day, and the rain didn't start until the end of the day. But at that time, we were all soaked waiting for the tenders at the pier in St. Tropez, and then we were in 10-12 foot swells out on the water in the small tenders trying to get all the passengers back on the ship. We have some VERY funny stories, and it was just fascinating to watch the crew work and watch various passengers respond to the adversity, so our memories of the incident are very vivid.

 

But my point is that although the weather is a crapshoot no matter what time of the year you travel, you have a higher chance of bad weather developments traveling in shoulder or off-season, and that's one of the reasons why those cruises cost less. Only you can make a decision regarding your risk tolerance for these type of incidents. If you're like we are and are basically glad to be on any ship anywhere in Europe, then you'll likely view it as a great adventure like we did if you hit bad weather.

 

Have a great next trip,

Donna

[Desert Cruisers]

You can get bad weather any time of the year. We cruised last year (10/29 - 11/11) in the Eastern Mediterranean. In general, the weather was terrific - warm (not hot) and sunny. The only bad weather was in Athens - vey windy and chilly up at the Parthenon. The fall is a lovely time of year in Europe. Enjoy.:)

[fern]

Have to agree with Donna about the weather.

The weather in October/ November can be a little unpredictable but it is still very warm--I can still sunbathe then.

However you may get some rain . There is a yearly disipute near we live as to whose"feria" it will rain on!!:mad: One town's is 1 week before the other's ,at the beginning of October. Each town wants a dry "feria" but it always rains on one of them!!

Take your chance and have fun.:)

[Keith1010]

I think it would be a nice time to go. We were there in mid Sepember through early October last year and definitely enjoyed it over the hot and very crowded summer months. A big part of visiting the Mediterranean is all of the wonderful touring that you will do and do this when the weather is more moderate and with less people is a big plus.

 

Keith