Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
With better deals, fewer crowds and cooler climes, a shoulder-season voyage ticks all the boxes
Spending summer cruising the cerulean Mediterranean Sea and visiting Europe’s most famous hotspots might sound appealing on paper, but when you factor in the searing heat of southern Europe, packed tourist attractions and sometimes cruise-loathing locals, it’s not such a draw.
Instead, seasoned cruisers who prefer a lower mercury reading – and have more flexibility about when they can take holidays – are discovering that off-season really is the only way to travel. As a result, more lines than ever are offering Mediterranean sailings year-round, allowing savvy guests to take advantage of easier access to museums and landmarks (with fewer crowds and, often, reduced entrance fees), quieter restaurants, cooler climes and an altogether more favourable local attitude to the humble cruise tourist. Better still, the fewer passengers on board, the more favourable the crew-to-guest ratio – and the more luxurious your holiday.
Here are 10 wonderful ways to embrace the off-season Mediterranean cruise, whether you’re keen to book for this winter or next, and whether your priority is the onboard offering or the destinations you’ll be exploring.
Want to step away from Blighty before the madness of Christmas starts to set in? This Crystal Cruises option streaks across from Greece to Spain while you indulge in all the culinary benefits of small-ship luxury – including the only Nobu at sea. The majority of state rooms are suites, which all include a butler, round-the-clock room service and, if you so desire, unlimited champagne.
Crystal Cruises has the seven-night Athens to Barcelona cruise onboard Crystal Symphony from £2,800pp, including all meals and drinks, tips and port fees. Calling at Chania, Valletta, Palermo and Valencia; departs November 24 2024 (0808 178 3396).
The renaissance treasures of Italy and the south of France provide the focus for Viking’s Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history sandwich visits to Marseille and glamorous Monte Carlo – all without the hassle of their usual summer crowds – while guest lecturers and enrichment talks keep the culture flowing on board.
Viking Cruises has the eight-night Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise from £2,590pp, including return UK flights, transfers, meals, drinks, included excursions, tips and more. Calling at Sète, Marseille, Monte Carlo and Livorno (with overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany); departs Barcelona on December 2 2024, and finishes in Rome (0800 31966 60).
Although Portugal doesn’t have a Mediterranean coastline, it’s often considered an honorary sibling due to its climate and culture. It’s also where Oceania’s Flamenco Fascination cruise begins, embarking on a generous itinerary (which includes a brief dip into Morocco) aboard the extremely elegant regatta-class Sirena, where sweeping staircases and crystal chandeliers are the order of the day.
Oceania’s 14-day Flamenco Fascination from £5,649pp, based on double occupancy and including airport transfers. Calling at Portimão, Casablanca, Cadiz, Seville, Tangier, Almeria, Barcelona, Marseille and Livorno. Departs Lisbon on October 4 2024, finishes in Rome (0345 505 1920).
Marella is a great option for those after a budget-friendly cruise, as well as being a standout choice for families. There’s plenty onboard to keep little ones entertained, including swimming pools, a climbing wall, mini golf and midnight movies, plus eight restaurants, a spa, beauty salon and nightly Broadway-style shows.
Marella has the seven-night Sights and Delights round-trip cruise onboard Marella Discovery 2 from £856pp, including flights from London Stansted, 20kg luggage per person, transfers, tips and service charges. Calling at Lisbon, Cadiz, Casablanca, Gibraltar and Motril. Departs Malaga on November 14 2024 (0203 4512682).
By February next year, we’ll all be in need of a drop of sunshine, and a bit of post-Christmas peace and quiet. The antidote? Windstar Cruises’ excellent Spanish escape aboard all-suite small ship Star Legend. The vessel carries just 312 passengers at full capacity, so during the shoulder season, there’s likely to be even more square footage than usual to share around.
Windstar has the innovative eight-day round-trip Southern Spain Winter Escapes cruise from £2,688pp, including return flights from Heathrow, overseas transfers, all meals and drinks, port fees and gratuities. Calling at Valencia, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca. Departs Barcelona on February 7 2025 (0808 178 2233).
With Croatian summers increasingly scorching, spring is now the perfect time to go island-hopping along the Dalmatian coast. Sail Croatia’s small ship cruise starts in Split, and has overnight stops in Hvar, Mljet, Dubrovnik and Korčula – a perfect introduction to the country’s highlights for those who’ve not been before.
Sail Croatia has the seven-night round trip sailing onboard Olimp from £1,739pp, including overseas transfers, breakfast, lunch, welcome reception, a captain’s dinner evening, and a local village village dinner. Departs April 20 2025 (020 4525 7534).
Southern Europe is still very much open for business in mid-October, when days are still hot (though comfortable) and evenings remain bare-shoulder-friendly. Spain’s beautiful Balearics constitute the bulk of this Emerald itinerary, and though it may push the budget, it certainly delivers in the style stakes.
Emerald Cruises’ eight-day Exploring the Balearics round-trip cruise onboard Emerald Sakara costs from £3,945pp, including flights, transfers, free Wi-Fi and excursions. Calling at Castellón de la Plana, Ibiza, Mallorca, Mahón, Palamós and Port-Vendres. Departs Barcelona on October 11 2025 (0161 516 8456).
With Venetian authorities now demanding smaller tour groups, and large cruise ships banned from entering the lagoon, an off-season visit makes sense for guests and locals alike. Opt for this sailing aboard Uniworld’s glamorous yet diminutive La Venezia, and you’ll have the chance to explore Venice at its calmest, as well as its surrounding area.
Uniworld has the eight-day Venice & The Jewels of Veneto from £2,398pp (if booked before September 30 2024), including return flights, transfers, all-inclusive food and drinks and a full programme of activities. Includes overnights in Burano and Chioggia, after-dark visits to St Mark’s Basilica, and early entry to the Doge’s Palace. Departs November 3 2025 (0808 168 9231).
This sailing from award-winning small-ship cruise line Azamara is a well-timed whistle-stop tour of Spain’s vibrant coastal islands and cities – where average highs of 20 degrees in November provide a welcome dose of warmth, and an ideal climate in which to stroll around the stellar sights.
Azamara has the Spain Intensive Voyage onboard Azamara Onward from £2,089pp, including meals and drinks, tips and exclusive cultural events. Calling at Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Cartagena, Malaga, Gibraltar, Seville, Portimão and Lisbon. Departs November 6 2025 (0344 4934016).
If, like lots of British travellers, you’ve already explored many of the Med’s traditional highlights, this option may well appeal. Sailing aboard boutique luxury ship Seadream II, the cruise calls at various lesser-known destinations, including colourful coastal commune Sanary-sur-Mer, historic Collioure, Roman-ruin studded Tarragona and the beautiful port city of Cartagena.
Seadream Yacht Club’s seven-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Nice to Malaga costs from £5,275pp, including return flights, overseas transfers, all meals and drinks, tips and port fees. Departs October 26 2025. Book via Mundy Cruising (020 7399 7670).
Browse Telegraph Travel’s selection of best river and ocean cruises