Medeterranian - June or October?

[mamaof2]

Hi, everyone!

 

I've narrowed down our 12-night Med. cruise on Millenium to 2 choices - June 7 or Oct. 5 from Barcelona. When do you think is better to go - I'll be traveling with my 70-year old parents. Will it be too crowded and too hot by the end of June cruise or it'll still be OK? Will it be too chilly by the end of October cruise, can you still swim in the outdoor pool on the ship? There is another itenerary I like is on Aug. 30 from Venice - I like the fact that we get to spend almost 2 days in Venice instead of 1 - the one from Barcelona has Venice as a last port, the ship stays in Venice overnight but in reality it's only one day (it docks at 11:00 a.m. and the next morning we are off the ship), but will it still be hot and crowded the last days in August and beginning of September? I also like Brilliance of the Seas Barcelona to Barcelona itenerary, but not sure if it's worth difference in the price - it's more expensive then Milleninum, any reasons? I feel I'm being pathetic trying to figure these things out but any suggestion or thought would be appreciated - Thanks!

[vaccardi]

I have not done these cruises but lived in Barcelona as a kid. As to the time, June can still be a little hot, but not as much as a Caribbean tropical cruise. September is rainy season and will run into early October. Not a lot of rain, but still a potential problem.

 

Barcelona is a great city to visit (I have been to Venice and love it.) Cosmopolitan and historical. Picasso, Dali, Gaudi, Roman to post-modern architecture. Music, the sardana, the Ramblas. Catalan and Spanish speaking, most will speak some English also (more so than in Venice.) Spend a few days there, you will love it.

[Ships R Great]

We were on Galaxy last October in the Med. Weather was good for the most part. We have been in Greece in June and it was hot. But the weather can always be ubpredictable. But that being said, I would opt for October.

[BrendaJ]

We were on the Millennium Med on October 25 and we had wonderful weather. We didn't encounter any rain other than a bit on one sea day. I don't think the weather was warm enough to use the outdoor pools, but the intinerary was so port-intensive, there really wasn't much time for lazing around the pool. We found the weather wonderful for sightseeing. We never required more than a light jacket, and on a few days, didn't even need that. I have photos here: http://photos.yahoo.com/bharwood@rogers.com

 

I imagine June would be warmer, and probably more crowded. I was in Europe years ago in May and was shocked at the number of people at the attractions. Even in late October/early November, certain tourist spots like the Vatican and La Rambla were amazingly crowded.

 

I don't know about the August itinerary though - I have heard the August is pretty much low season in Venice, because the canals get pretty unpleasant in the heat of the summer. They didn't smell at all when we were there in October.

 

Whenever you go, you'll have an unforgettable experience.

 

Brenda

[tuggers]

Either one sounds GREAT! Got any room in the suitcases for a stowaway?:)

[Susan-M]

One advantage to going in June is the longer daylight hours - probably at least 2 more hours of daylight than in October.

We went in late Sept. - had perfect weather, and approx. 12 hours of daylight each day - no complaints, but I can see that spring, with it's extra daylight hours is a plus. The Millennium cruise is wonderful - but I'm sure the Brilliance one would be as well.

I don't think you are pathetic for asking these questions.... it's a wise thing to do... timing, ship and itinerary are important factors on a trip of this length.

Enjoy!

[drk]

Can only speak of our experience. We did a 10 day out of Venice last Oct 4 and had great weather the whole trip.

[cathi]

O.K. here's a vote for June. We did this last June and had great weather! The only downer was when we tried to swim in the Med!!!! Shocked us how cold it was. Certainly not Caribbean!!! When we were in Venice we had great weather and no smells. Tried to figure what everyone had warned us about!!! Go for June - then you don't have to wait as long!!!!

[Liat]

We took this cruise on Millennium in May 2003. Our extensive review is posted at http://www.cruisereviews.com. Click on Celebrity, then on Millenium and scroll down to my name: Philip M. Haggerty

The Med is a major summer tourist attraction, not only for us Americans and Canadians, but loads of Europeans also. This can make it hot and crowded in places like Rome, Florence, Athens and Venice. This cruise can get a little hectic, so if you can plan for more relaxed tours, do so. I have some good ideas in my review, as well as a very good and reasonable hotel to stay at in Barcelona. We highly recommend two or three days in that lovely city before you sail.

I don't think it is even a close call to choose Millie over Brilliance. The ships are virtually the same age and size, and RCCL crams 550 more people into the same space. And just about everything I have read, as well as my own experience places X's food, food service and general attention to detail well above Royal Carib.

You can read Monica Pillegi's review of the same cruise directly above ours. We got together with her and some other people thanks to the Cruise Connection service offered on this board, and have been corresponding ever since!

[mamaof2]

Thank you everyone who replied. I am relieved from what I've read - I will not go wrong either way, I am very excited and cannot wait!...

[kelmac]

We have cruised both months in the Mediterranean. On our June cruise we had pefect weather, and the sea was like glass the entire 12 days. As mentioned by other posters, June was a little warm and you do have longer daylight hours. If you do pre or post curise hotels I would recommend they have A/C.

On our October cruise we had mild, but wet weather. It rained about half the time. Nothing that would slow us down, but it was a factor. In addition, our last night at sea we had a huge storm with 20 to 30 foot seas. :eek: Seems the Mediterranean is a sea of extremes.

Both cruises were wonderful !:)

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[Hebe]

I think it depends on if you parents would like mostly an adult only crowd or more a family mixture.

 

June is the beginning of the month off holidays for countries in Europe. You will find more crowds in the summer months.

 

October most kids are back in school and you will find more adults.

 

We did the Med in October and it was warm with no rain.

[susie Q]

Hi there......we took that cruise last June and it was terribly hot. I can hang with heat..living in central California, but I'm talking HOT. We couldn't leave our sliding door open for any length of time due to the humidity. I would sure vote for October, especially for your parents!

[susie Q]

Hi there......we took that cruise last June and it was terribly hot. I can hang with heat..living in central California, but I'm talking HOT. We couldn't leave our sliding door open for any length of time due to the humidity. I would sure vote for October, especially for your parents.

[oldhamlass]

From our experiences I think June is best. Yes it is warmer than october but it is the quieter and cooler of the summer months (compared to july, aug and sept) but October is a very unpredictable month in the med, we have a place in Majorca and have spent many a rainy week there! Another plus is that most schools in eurpe have the summer break in july and august so it is not the peak season. Whatever you choose you will have a great time. ENJOY!!

[mbiggers]

We did the Venice to Barcelona on the Millie at the end of June, '05. It was HOT. We heard on CNN that 18 people had died of heat in Rome the day we were there. Walking around Herculaneum and Pompeii was absolutely miserable. Also, it was incredibly crowded- over an hour wait (in the 100 + heat) to get into the Vatican. We decided to apply our Disneyland policy to Europe- only go in the summer if there are no other options! We're going to Europe in Sept this year.

[keela1eva2]

Thank you everyone who replied. I am relieved from what I've read - I will not go wrong either way, I am very excited and cannot wait!...

 

I would definately go for June. First it is before the school holidays start and so less children on the ship as well as in the ports. Secondly the long daylight hours are wonderful at this time.

Thirdly when it has been very hot over the summer months yes Venice can start to smell a bit. Still love it regardless.

It is better to start the cruise in Venice I think as when I sailed Barcelona to Venice we arrived one day and disembarked the next so less time there.

Price wise I am surprised that the Brilliance is more expensive and this can only be because of demand. RCI is probably more suited to families and this may be the reason. The ratio of crew to passengers is also higher. An excellent book to buy if you are interester in cruising is

Douglas Ward Berlitz Cruise Guide. It is worth its weight in gold to me. Oh when you board Celebrity they greet you with a glass of champagne or fresh orange and then escort you to your stateroom. RCI used to do this (take you to your stateroom but stopped it a few years ago) Also on sea days Celebrity provide sorbet when you are on desk and also cold towels as you arrive back to the ship hot after a day out. Yes even umbrella's if it is heavy rain as I had in Costa Rica.

Good choice!

Sue

[mamaof2]

Hi, everyone,

 

now my parents say that they might go on May 14. I understand that it'might be less hot than June but in terms of crowds - is it still really bad? It's going to be May 14 - May 16. Thank you, all!!

[keela1eva2]

I would definately go for June. First it is before the school holidays start and so less children on the ship as well as in the ports. Secondly the long daylight hours are wonderful at this time.

Thirdly when it has been very hot over the summer months yes Venice can start to smell a bit. Still love it regardless.

It is better to start the cruise in Venice I think as when I sailed Barcelona to Venice we arrived one day and disembarked the next so less time there.

Price wise I am surprised that the Brilliance is more expensive and this can only be because of demand. RCI is probably more suited to families and this may be the reason. The ratio of crew to passengers is also higher. An excellent book to buy if you are interester in cruising is

Douglas Ward Berlitz Cruise Guide. It is worth its weight in gold to me. Oh when you board Celebrity they greet you with a glass of champagne or fresh orange and then escort you to your stateroom. RCI used to do this (take you to your stateroom but stopped it a few years ago) Also on sea days Celebrity provide sorbet when you are on desk and also cold towels as you arrive back to the ship hot after a day out. Yes even umbrella's if it is heavy rain as I had in Costa Rica.

Good choice!

Sue

 

OOPS sorry Cheryl the better crew ratio is on Celebrity not RCI

[vaccardi]

May could be the best month of the year. Great weather, smaller crowds, and flowers abound.

 

Enjoy regardless of your decision.

[BrendaJ]

I think the weather in May would be lovely. I do recall though, that when I visited the Vatican in May years ago (on a land tour), the place was absolutely jammed with school children on class trips. I saw well over 100 buses in front of the place. I don't think there's any time of year where the Vatican won't be crowded.

 

Even in late October, I could not believe the number of tourists wandering around Venice, even early in the morning. I had thought that we'd have the place to ourselves that late in the year.

 

I definitely think May would be a great time to go, as the weather is nice, without being too hot (although I remember it being somehwat too warm for me in Rome, even in May). You'd certainly have a better chance of sunny days than in the fall, I would think.