Why You Should Consider a Mediterranean Cruise This Winter—Here’s Why

In the winter, numerous cruise lines direct their ships towards the Caribbean and other warm destinations to cater to those escaping the cold. However, this shouldn't deter you from considering one of summer's most beloved cruise locations: the Mediterranean.

“Winter cruising in the Mediterranean is a relatively new trend,” says Judy Perl, president of Judy Perl Travel and member of the Dinogo Travel Advisor Council. Perl highlights that winter cruises in the Mediterranean have gained popularity mainly in the last decade.

The benefits of cruising the Mediterranean in the winter as opposed to the busy summer months include significantly fewer crowds, shorter—or sometimes nonexistent—waits for must-see attractions, and more affordable airfares,” states Perl. Additionally, “if you choose to extend your trip with extra nights before or after your cruise, you'll likely find lower hotel rates as well.”

Following the scorching summer temperatures and reports of throngs of tourists flooding Southern Europe’s beaches and towns, cruising the Mediterranean during the tranquil, cooler winter months presents an appealing option. While winter may bring some unpredictable weather and choppy seas, the Mediterranean generally experiences much milder conditions compared to, for instance, northern Europe.

This winter, there will be a greater number of Mediterranean cruises operating compared to previous years because many cruise lines have canceled their Middle East itineraries and, in many instances, have redirected their ships to the Mediterranean—creating new opportunities for cruising this beautiful sea with companies that may not typically provide such options.

Among these cruise operators is the luxury line Windstar Cruises, which will be navigating the Mediterranean from December 2023 to April 2024 aboard its all-suite vessel, the 312-guest Star Legend. A noteworthy perk: The winter cruise fares are as much as 65 percent lower than Windstar’s prices during the peak season—starting at $1,499 per person for cruise-only options on their winter Mediterranean journeys.

“With a ship stationed in the Mediterranean, we recognized a chance to provide guests with an unforgettable winter season in Europe,” stated Windstar president Christopher Prelog in a recent announcement.

This winter, Windstar will offer a series of seven-night itineraries from Rome to Barcelona, featuring stops in Florence and Pisa in Italy, as well as Marseille and Nice in southern France. The season will conclude with an eight-night cruise from Rome to Athens, highlighting the Amalfi Coast and Greece.

Windstar will instead commence its Middle East sailing season in November 2024.

Alongside Windstar, several other cruise lines will be operating in the Mediterranean during the 2023–2024 season, including the European-focused Celestyal Cruises; the Geneva-based MSC Cruises; Norwegian Cruise Line; culinary-centered Oceania Cruises; the stylish Celebrity Cruises; and Viking, known for its Scandinavian-inspired ships.

For example, MSC has repositioned its 3,223-passenger MSC Orchestra to the Mediterranean until mid-April, offering seven-night voyages that will stop in Valencia, Spain; Sardinia; Civitavecchia (the gateway to Rome), Italy; Livorno, Italy; Marseille, France; and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Perl mentions that winter Mediterranean cruises typically last between 7 and 10 days, “but there are also spectacular itineraries available that extend to 14 days or more, such as the new Viking Saturn, which sails from Barcelona to Istanbul over 21 days,” she explains. The 930-passenger Viking Saturn can be booked for 7, 14, or 21 nights, giving passengers the flexibility to choose their cruise duration. Viking’s 2023–2024 winter Mediterranean routes operate between Rome and Athens, with overnight stops in Malta and Cyprus, along with visits to Naples, Italy, and Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece.

She notes that since many Mediterranean cruises start or finish in Barcelona, it simplifies the process of booking flights from the United States.

Reporting contributed by Fran Golden.