When’s The Ideal Time For A Cruise To Scandinavia?
When you’re heading north, whether it’s to see the fjords or visit those gorgeous Scandinavian capitals, you need to bear in mind that, in these latitudes, summer comes early but leaves early too. So, if you want the best of the weather and some additional quality time courtesy of those long, long sunshine days, then make sure you travel between late May and mid-July. It’s perfectly possible to travel outside these dates, of course, but these are the optimum times to catch some sun when you cruise in Scandinavian waters.
When you’re heading north, whether it’s to see the fjords or visit those gorgeous Scandinavian capitals, you need to bear in mind that, in these latitudes, summer comes early but leaves early too. So, if you want the best of the weather and some additional quality time courtesy of those long, long sunshine days, then make sure you travel between late May and mid-July. It’s perfectly possible to travel outside these dates, of course, but these are the optimum times to catch some sun when you cruise in Scandinavian waters.
How About A Mediterranean Cruise, When Should I Travel?
Assuming you’re flexible in terms of your dates, then the Mediterranean offers all manner of options depending on what your priorities are. If you’re looking for sunshine, then a cruise to the Med’ in July or August is likely to mean plenty of sunshine and temperatures ashore that are leaning towards being hot, especially for British cruisers used to the slightly dilute sunshine that prevails across the British Isles!
Cruising in the height of summer is generally a fairly pleasant experience: once your ship is underway there’s generally a pleasant breeze on deck, whilst air-conditioned cabins and public areas provide the ideal temperature when you’re inside.
However, if you’re looking to explore some of the places you’re visiting – especially on foot – then bear in mind that the height of summer can be uncomfortably hot out in the sun. Naturally, our excursions in the Med’ will involve air-conditioned transport but, if you’re travelling under your own steam, you’ll need to be extra careful when it comes to keeping yourself hydrated and protected from the sun.
Alternatively, if exploring the cities and ancient sites dotted around the Med’ are your priority, then you might want to consider cruising the Med’ in the winter when the sunshine is far less intense. Don’t worry, chances are, the weather will be way better than in the UK, but you’ll be better able to stroll around Florence or Rome and explore Ephesus without the sun draining you of the energy you’ll need to fully appreciate these wonders.
Assuming you’re flexible in terms of your dates, then the Mediterranean offers all manner of options depending on what your priorities are. If you’re looking for sunshine, then a cruise to the Med’ in July or August is likely to mean plenty of sunshine and temperatures ashore that are leaning towards being hot, especially for British cruisers used to the slightly dilute sunshine that prevails across the British Isles!
Cruising in the height of summer is generally a fairly pleasant experience: once your ship is underway there’s generally a pleasant breeze on deck, whilst air-conditioned cabins and public areas provide the ideal temperature when you’re inside.
However, if you’re looking to explore some of the places you’re visiting – especially on foot – then bear in mind that the height of summer can be uncomfortably hot out in the sun. Naturally, our excursions in the Med’ will involve air-conditioned transport but, if you’re travelling under your own steam, you’ll need to be extra careful when it comes to keeping yourself hydrated and protected from the sun.
Alternatively, if exploring the cities and ancient sites dotted around the Med’ are your priority, then you might want to consider cruising the Med’ in the winter when the sunshine is far less intense. Don’t worry, chances are, the weather will be way better than in the UK, but you’ll be better able to stroll around Florence or Rome and explore Ephesus without the sun draining you of the energy you’ll need to fully appreciate these wonders.
When To Cruise If You’re Looking For A Lively On Board Atmosphere?
Even the most experienced cruiser can overlook this one, but it can sometimes make or break your cruise. So, if it’s important to you, then you need to give some thought to the lively on board ambience.
If you like a lively ship, you need to think a little about when and where you’re cruising and what kind of clientele certain cruises are likely to attract. If, for example, you travel at peak holiday times then, chances are, you’ll find your ship will be attracting a younger and, quite possibly, a livelier crowd too. Conversely, cruising in what you might think of as the low season will attract an older crowd, although there are, generally, a good proportion of ‘live wires’ and party people amongst every age group!
Also, as a rough rule of thumb, a cruise from the UK is likely to have lots of Brits on board and the average British cruise passenger does rather enjoy the nightlife on board!
Even the most experienced cruiser can overlook this one, but it can sometimes make or break your cruise. So, if it’s important to you, then you need to give some thought to the lively on board ambience.
If you like a lively ship, you need to think a little about when and where you’re cruising and what kind of clientele certain cruises are likely to attract. If, for example, you travel at peak holiday times then, chances are, you’ll find your ship will be attracting a younger and, quite possibly, a livelier crowd too. Conversely, cruising in what you might think of as the low season will attract an older crowd, although there are, generally, a good proportion of ‘live wires’ and party people amongst every age group!
Also, as a rough rule of thumb, a cruise from the UK is likely to have lots of Brits on board and the average British cruise passenger does rather enjoy the nightlife on board!
When Is The Best Time To Cruise With Kids?
As discussed, when to cruise with kids is not always a matter of choice, especially with school holiday dates offering little in the way of ‘wiggle room’. If you’re cruising with pre-school children then the picture is a little different in terms of dates and, these days, most child-friendly cruise lines, like MSC Cruises, have a raft of services to cater for even the youngest cruisers.
Also, keep an eye out for those half term dates that work for you but, not necessarily, for everyone. These little gems in the schedule can provide a window that avoids you falling foul of the holiday police!
And don’t forget Christmas: a Christmas cruise is great for kids – and of course big kids of all ages! – and it might just be the first Christmas break where the whole family can relax knowing that everything is being taken care of. Likewise, a cruise to celebrate New Year will suit the adults and the kids too and there’s no need to decide who has to tidy up when the party’s over!
As discussed, when to cruise with kids is not always a matter of choice, especially with school holiday dates offering little in the way of ‘wiggle room’. If you’re cruising with pre-school children then the picture is a little different in terms of dates and, these days, most child-friendly cruise lines, like MSC Cruises, have a raft of services to cater for even the youngest cruisers.
Also, keep an eye out for those half term dates that work for you but, not necessarily, for everyone. These little gems in the schedule can provide a window that avoids you falling foul of the holiday police!
And don’t forget Christmas: a Christmas cruise is great for kids – and of course big kids of all ages! – and it might just be the first Christmas break where the whole family can relax knowing that everything is being taken care of. Likewise, a cruise to celebrate New Year will suit the adults and the kids too and there’s no need to decide who has to tidy up when the party’s over!
Are There Times When Only A World Cruise Will Do?
Life’s windfalls, landmark birthdays and precious anniversaries certainly help to make the case for embarking on something as special as a world cruise. But, don’t imagine that you can only enjoy a world cruise in one three month voyage after you’ve retired or reached a birthday milestone. If you can cruise between January and April and you’ve always had a hankering to see a specific part of the world then, chances are, MSC’s world cruise sectors can show you every part of the world that you’ve always wanted to see.
Life’s windfalls, landmark birthdays and precious anniversaries certainly help to make the case for embarking on something as special as a world cruise. But, don’t imagine that you can only enjoy a world cruise in one three month voyage after you’ve retired or reached a birthday milestone. If you can cruise between January and April and you’ve always had a hankering to see a specific part of the world then, chances are, MSC’s world cruise sectors can show you every part of the world that you’ve always wanted to see.
Take Your Time, Pick Your Moment And Enjoy The Perfect Cruise
Hopefully, we’ve given you some food for thought when it comes to choosing when to cruise. But do take your time. Talk to other cruisers and, please, feel free to talk to us. There’s a ‘Contact Us’ button on our website where you can leave your question, so that one of our expert consultants can phone you with an answer just when it suits. And, once you’re ready to book your cruise, then both the website and our cruise consultants are waiting to secure your cruise holiday.
Hopefully, we’ve given you some food for thought when it comes to choosing when to cruise. But do take your time. Talk to other cruisers and, please, feel free to talk to us. There’s a ‘Contact Us’ button on our website where you can leave your question, so that one of our expert consultants can phone you with an answer just when it suits. And, once you’re ready to book your cruise, then both the website and our cruise consultants are waiting to secure your cruise holiday.
