Why cruise the Mediterranean in winter?

The Mediterranean is a popular destination during the traditional summer tourist season, but now its potential for drawing tourists year round has been recognized. Cruising the Mediterranean during the winter months has several distinct advantages, among them are fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, value, unique holidays celebrations in culturally diverse settings. Costa Cruise Line, MCS and Royal Caribbean are just a few of the lines promoting their winter Mediterranean cruises.

Let’s explore the advantages more closely.

- Value – often the cruise fares and airfares in Europe are substantially lower than during the summer, and this year our dollar, so far, is stronger against the Euro. Your American dollar will go further with reduced prices in shops and restaurants in your ports of call.

- Comfortable weather – the weather is cooler in the winter, but especially in the southern areas, it is far from cold (often daytime temperatures are in the 50 to 60 degree range). This is ideal weather for discovering new cultures on foot.

- Fewer crowds — During the winter months, cruise passengers are able to visit popular destinations with out having to fight crowds. Long lines will be non-existent at popular attractions.

- Wonderful destinations — world cultures, ruins, museums, cities and landscapes can be just as captivating in the winter, and magical at a slower pace without the heat and crowds of summer.

This is the best time to visit places like the Vatican, art and history museums, go to the theater and take advantage of all those indoor sights in a much more leisurely fashion.

Those desiring to escape the holiday hubbub at home will find that a winter cruise in the Mediterranean can be a memorable family experience. Enjoy the adventure of unique places and traditions together, without all the holiday preparations. This also may be a good chance to extend your vacation to visit, in depth, one region of the Mediterranean.

Honeymoon couples, seniors, and families will especially want to take advantage of this new idea in cruising. Take your focus off the Caribbean. Think in broader terms, and of more exhilarating, culturally fascinating destinations that will leave you truly discovering something novel in your world.

Please be reminded that you do not need a passport to travel to the U.S. owned islands of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. I will soon have an article on these special places so that you can make winter plans to visit one of these warm spots.

Remember that Hawaii is part of the U.S., it is warm, tropical and can be visited anytime of the year without a passport. You will need a passport, or official government issued ID to travel outside of the U.S. now (that includes Canada, Mexico and cruising in the Caribbean).