The Med in November

[plimsol]

We are booked on 11/03/06 Regatta Barcelona to Lisbon with port stops in Rome, Malta, Tunisia, Morocco, Gibraltor. We have cruised the Med 3X before but never this late in the season. Can anyone share with us their experiences from cruising the Med at this time? What can we expect in weather and seas? What will be required dress at this time considering the ports we will be visiting?

[ClaudiaF]

It's Europe:o
the old fashion tip layers and bring rain gear along just in case.
Last year it was perfect weather cool and clear and started raining when we boarded the plane for home about same time..but you just never know. Averages about 62 everywhere we are going.

[willmschen]

We did a mid-November Barcelona to Lisbon 5 years ago and had nice weather and calm seas.

[Polecat]

Two years ago we did Rome to Barcelona in early November. We had a little rain the first two days, but after that the weather was fine. The evenings could be a little cool but not bad.

[drwong]

Actually, that's our favorite time to travel the Med because the sun isn't as hot and oppressive as it is in the summertime and you don't return to the ship sunburned and dehydrated. I grew up around San Francisco, so the Med in the early winter is similar to the Bay Area in the spring or fall. Shorter daylight hours, of course, with temperatures in the low- to mid-20's (Celsisus, not Farenheit!).

Seas may be a little choppy if you're in the middle of the Med instead of hugging the coast, but then again, there could be rough weather any time of the year. Our westbound cruise managed to sail through a few scattered showers for a brief spell, although I heard from eastbound cruisers that the storm system shadowed them across the Med! But as I say, the worst day at sea is better than the best day at the office!!! :)

You can't go wrong by packing windbreakers or light jackets and wearing layered clothing on your cruise. And you should have plenty of room to do so - with Oceania's country-club casual dress code, you can leave all your formal outfits at home!

[frankpc]

While I'm sure it changes year to year, we were in the Med in October a couple of years ago and the weather was pretty nice ... one rainy day but day time highs mostly in the 70s (although Malta was closer to 90).
JMHO opinion, but besides the great weather the much smaller crowds are an equal benefit.

Frank

[plimsol]

To all... Many thanks for your input. It does raise our spirits since we had doubts about the date we selected for this cruise. Yes, we are sure that it will be better than shoveling wet snow which is a good possibility in November where we live.

[Mura]

Just for the record, we did the Barcelona-Lisbon cruise last November (the one that did not go to Libya) and weather by and large was excellent. Often warm. We did have some rain, but it was never really cold. We used our balcony A LOT.