My Mediterranean cruise stopped at European destinations such as Rome. Megan Dubois
I have been on 50 cruises around the world, and last year I sailed the Mediterranean for the first time.
Choosing the right time of the season can make a big difference in your trip.
Before you pack your bags, always check to see if the experience you book has a dress code.
As someone who has been on over 50 cruises around the world, I know first-hand how popular cruises are this year. But one sea itinerary that people often forget to add to their bucket list is a Mediterranean cruise.
The dream ship takes passengers to European destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
After taking my first Mediterranean cruise last year, here's what I think everyone should know before booking a route.
Go early or late in the sailing season to find fewer crowds and better weather.
I was happy when I found a town with fewer people. Megan Dubois
Many cruise lines, including Virgin, Celebrity, and Disney, begin their Mediterranean season in early spring and sail through early fall.
If you go early or late in the season, the weather will usually be milder and some locations will be less crowded. big destinations like athens.
I made the mistake of going on a Mediterranean cruise at the end of May (Memorial Day weekend).
Some ports, like Nice in France, were easy to navigate, but others like Rome were full. I wish the day would have ended before we arrived at the Vatican on our tour.
Arriving early at the embarkation port is the key to a smooth sailing.
We stayed at a hotel in Barcelona before a Mediterranean cruise. Megan Dubois
My biggest tip for any cruise, especially Americans traveling in Europe For Mediterranean cruises, you must arrive at the embarkation city at least one day before departure.
This will especially give you enough time to ensure your arrival at the port. airline delays It usually spikes in the summer.The boat isn't going to wait for youIf you don't land on time
Getting a good night's sleep before a jam-packed vacation is worth it to me, even if it means paying for accommodation and maybe a few meals before getting on the boat.
As a bonus, arriving early gives you a chance to explore the city.
Make sure you have at least one shirt with sleeves and a hem that cover your knees.
On days when I know I'll be visiting a tourist destination that has a dress code, I choose a longer skirt. Megan Dubois
Several Europe's major tourist destinations There is a strict dress code, and everyone usually has to cover at least the shoulders and knees to be respectful.
If you are planning to visit Vatican Cityty Meteora monasteries in Italy or Greece, bMake sure to pack at least one outfit that fits your budget.
Most cruise ships have laundry service (self-service or valet service), so you can wear the same dress-code-approved outfit for multiple days of sightseeing if you wish.
Gourmet tours are a great way to see the city, taste local cuisine, and learn about its history.
Even if you're not a big foodie, I think you can get a lot out of a gourmet tour. Megan Dubois
If you're looking for a unique tour that takes you through the highlights of a European city, we recommend this one Book a gourmet tour. I've toured Amsterdam, Budapest, Paris and more and have never been disappointed.
Gourmet tours can be booked through third-party travel companies like TripAdvisor and Viator, and give you the chance to see some of a city's major landmarks, sample local cuisine, and learn about its history all at once.
Tours are usually led by locals. This means your guide may be able to give you some recommendations if you have time before returning to the ship.
Consider booking your tour through a third-party site.
Cannes could be seen from the cruise ship. Megan Dubois
Mediterranean cruises can last anywhere from seven days to two weeks, depending on the company and itinerary. Booking all tours through a cruise company can be expensive, but fortunately there are more affordable options, usually through third-party companies.
However, I never want to miss out on the entire boarding time, so I only book with a third party operator if the ship is just docking in the city I want to explore.
For example, on our Mediterranean cruise last summer, our ship docked in Cannes, and we couldn't take our eyes off Cannes the entire trip.
If your ship is docked at a second location and you need to travel to that location. big tourist destination, I always book my tours through the cruise company. For example, on the day my family and I toured Rome, our boat docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we took a two-hour bus ride to downtown Rome.
Booking with a cruise line guarantees you will get back to the ship, even if your tour is delayed.
