8 reasons to do a Mediterranean cruise during the quiet season
Overnight stays and no sea days
If you prefer exploring on shore to sailing, a quiet season cruise is ideal for pursuing your passion for exploration. During peak season, the number of ships in port can make it difficult (and expensive) for cruise lines to dock overnight. In winter, it's a different story, with some sailings offering multiple nights in sought-after ports like Athens or a second visit to a popular spot like Ephesus during the voyage so travellers can delve more deeply into the history of this fascinating destination. Quiet season cruises also tend to have fewer sea days so you can maximise your time in port.
Support the local economy
Sailing during the low season is a way for cruisers to support the local economy by spending time in cities during the quieter months when things are quieter and business can be slow. Not only will your tourist dollars be especially welcome, you'll also find cheaper prices for things like tours which can help take the sting out of the poor exchange rate with the Euro.
Cruise fare savings galore
I'm not kidding when I say you can make your holiday dollar go further. For example, prices fo r Viking Ocean Cruises' Iconic Western Mediterranean sailings can drop by almost half during the quiet season, bringing this cruise down from its busy season peak of NZ$10,745 to NZ$5980 per person. If you're on a tighter budget, MSC's seven-night round-trip Mediterranean sailings go down from NZ$1500 to NZ$1080. Keep an eye out for last-minute specials and you could save even more.
Accommodation is cheaper
It's not just your cruise fare that costs less during Europe's quiet season. Low-season airfares are generally cheaper too, and so is accommodation. When the summer crowds have gone home, hotels throughout Europe offer deals to tempt travellers to make a booking, making this the perfect time to enjoy a longer pre- or post-cruise stay or extend your trip. Whether you're on a tight budget or like the idea of staying somewhere nicer than you could usually afford, it's a win-win.
Shorter (or no) queues
If you're visiting one of Europe's most popular ports, the lure of shorter queues at museums, art galleries and attractions during the quiet season is particularly appealing. It's easier to get tickets to popular attractions too, as these are less likely book out in advance like they do in peak season. And when you get there, you don't have to shuffle through security or along the Vatican's corridors with hundreds of other people all trying to see the same thing.
Seasonal touring highlights
Along with shorter queues, fewer crowds and more comfortable temperatures, there are also different touring options to look forward to. In winter, cruise lines can add seasonal activities to their programme, like experiencing Carnevale di Venezia in Venice, visiting an olive orchard during the winter harvest or strolling through Christmas markets in Rome or Barcelona. The lack of crowds also allows for more flexibility when you're out sightseeing, as it's easier to step away from your tour group to look at something without losing sight of them.
More comfortable sightseeing
After almost passing out on a walking tour during peak season when Rome was heaving with people, temperatures climbed to 42C and seeing the sights felt like a test of our physical endurance instead of a great day out, I can thoroughly recommend sightseeing when the weather is cooler. With the effects of global warming continuing to be felt throughout Europe, there's never been a better time to visit during the low-season and see the sights minus the searing summer heat.
Off season bargains may not last
Perhaps the most important reason to book a quiet season cruise now is these incredible deals may not last. With so many good reasons to cruise the Mediterranean during the quiet season, more and more travellers are beginning to discover how good sailing at this time can be. In coming years, particularly if temperatures continue to soar, the quiet season may simply become less busy than other times of the year and be integrated into the regular cruising calendar – with prices to match.
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RNZ News
20-05-2025
- RNZ News
Lobby group members raise red flags over ferry fleet's resiliency issues
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Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
KiwiRail promises no 'price-gouging' when ferry retires
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Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
No 'considerable' price rises from Aratere retirement
Interislander ferry operator KiwiRail says with the Aratere gone, passengers may need to travel on less popular sailings or be more flexible with dates. But it says there will be no price-gouging or considerable increases to ticket prices. The Aratere Interislander ferry will retire by the end of August, meaning cuts to both passenger and freight capacity. The Aratere is the only ship that carries rail wagons, but cannot use the Picton or Wellington wharfs as they are being upgraded for two new ferries arriving in 2029. A temporary wharf would have cost $120 million. The ship can hold 650 passengers, 230 cars and 28 rail wagons. More than 2200 passenger bookings have already been transferred from Aratere to other vessels - the Kaitaki and Kaiārahi. Despite the Aratere being the only rail-enabled ferry, Kaitaki and Kaiārahi can carry rail freights by using road bridging. Interislander executive general manager Duncan Roy advised passengers to book their trips early, especially for peak season around Christmas time. "We don't have full ferries all the time with three [ferries], so we'd expect to have fuller ferries and, probably, people will be travelling at non-traditional times - earlier in the morning, later in the evening," he told RNZ. Roy would not say whether prices would increase after the Aratere retires, but assured there would be no price-gouging. "Nothing considerable... there could be a price increase anytime, but we watch our prices and monitor them like any good business. We work hard to keep the cost down." He said Interislander had dynamic pricing, meaning prices went up in times of high demand. Asked if customers may have to pay more because of reduced capacity, he replied: "That may be the case". 'Bad news' Union NZ spokesperson Victor Billot told RNZ job losses were "likely", but did not know how many would go. "We will be fighting for jobs. We can't afford to lose any more seafarers in New Zealand." Billot said there needed to be thought given into how the retirement of the Aratere would impact the security of supply chains between the North and South Islands. "This is going to reduce the resilience. It's going to lead to a higher risk of service failure if there is a problem with one of the other existing ferries. It's bad news, as far as we're concerned." Ferry operator Kiwirail had been under fire after multiple breakdowns in recent years left passengers stranded. In 2023, Interislander's largest ferry - the Kaitaki - lost engine power while sailing Cook Strait with 800 passengers and 80 crew aboard. The same year, there was a gearbox issue with the ship and a heat exchanger issue on the Kaiārahi. Last year, the Aratere made headlines when it ran aground near Picton, which began with an autopilot mistake. Roy said this year to date, the ferries had been 99 percent reliable. "As we reduce the capacity, it's our job to keep those ferries running safe."
