Best Time for No. Europe Cruise

[candydane]

We're considering a Scandanavia/Russia cruise in 2011. Probably out of Amsterdam or similar city.

 

I know the weather is alway iffy, but are there months that are "traditionally" better? How about crowds? What months are usually the best?

 

Thanks.

[paul929207]

We went in July a number of years ago and the weather was great.

[cruiserking]

We're considering a Scandanavia/Russia cruise in 2011. Probably out of Amsterdam or similar city.

 

I know the weather is alway iffy, but are there months that are "traditionally" better? How about crowds? What months are usually the best?

 

Thanks.

 

The best bet is April/May or September/October this way you beat the crowds and the weather is not too hot. We cruised the Southern Mediterranean in April and it was spectacular, perfect temperature and no crowds at all except in Florence.

 

Jonathan

[jocap]

You are going to the far north of Europe, and the weather doesn't begin to warm up until May, which is why you'll rarely find cruises other than Hutigruten, which is the local ferry service as well as cruise ship.

Once the spring solstice has passed, on March 21st, the days will lengthen, and the sea and land will warm up. Between June and August, the days are long, nights are short. Weather can be warm and sunny, but there's always a chance of rain.

As for crowds- this short season is the only time for cruise ships to go, so there's not much other choice.

Jo.

[bbwex]

We were in the Baltic last August. The weather was pretty good, and though it is the cruise season there, the crowds weren't too bad except in the really high-demand locations -- Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace in London, and Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Other than those places, the crowds were very manageable. As has been said, the season is short, and your choices are limited, but I didn't think the crowds were a big problem. Plus we were on tours in St. Petersburg and Amsterdam and had reservations and went to the head of the lines in the Hermitage and Anne Frank House.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have gone both in June and July -- had lovely weather about 95% of the time.

[candydane]

Looks like the weather will be what it is and the crowds are probably not a real issue at any specific time.

 

It sounds like we should just pick a cruise time based on when we want to go and maybe the price difference for cruise date and/or airline ticket.

 

Thanks again.

[beauwalker]

We froze in May and we live in N. MI.