Mediterranean cruise lines break winter tradition as tourism increases

In an unexpected shift from traditional winter sailing patterns, cruise lines are increasingly positioning their ships in European waters during the off-season months. This offers travelers an alternative to the typical Caribbean destinations while addressing growing concerns about overtourism in popular Mediterranean ports.

The Cruise Lines Industry Association reports that off-season departures in the Mediterranean have increased 23% between 2019 and 2023, marking a significant change in the industry’s operational patterns. This surge comes as major cruise operators seek to capitalize on reduced crowds and lower operating costs during Europe’s quieter months.

“As the number of ships has grown and tourism itself has grown, more and more travelers desire to visit places when there is not tens of thousands of other people descending on Europe,” said Samuel Spencer, general manager of Ocean & River Cruises Travel, a Calgary-based travel agency.

Viking Cruises has emerged as a pioneer in this strategic shift, dedicating multiple vessels to what it calls the “quiet season” in the Mediterranean. The company, which began as a European river cruise operator in 1997, initiated winter Mediterranean sailings with the launch of its first ocean vessel, the 930-passenger Viking Star, in 2015.

Richard Marnell, executive vice president of marketing at Viking, said, “We recognized past travelers would appreciate traveling in the Mediterranean during a time period in which it was still very, very temperate.” The cruise line currently stations three ships in the Mediterranean year-round and plans to increase this number to five for the 2025-26 winter season.

The winter sailing strategy offers substantial cost savings for travelers. Viking’s eight-day journey between Venice and Athens starts at $2,999 during winter months, compared to $5,299 for the identical summer itinerary, representing a more than 40% reduction.

The trend has gained momentum following recent geopolitical events. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023, prompted several cruise lines to relocate vessels originally scheduled for Middle Eastern routes. Windstar Cruises, for instance, moved its 312-passenger Star Legend to Mediterranean routes between Rome and Barcelona.

Windstar’s adaptation to winter sailing has proven successful enough for the company to expand its Mediterranean winter schedule. Their seven-day Barcelona-Rome itinerary, which includes stops in Nice, Cannes, and Genoa, was recently priced at $2,028 per person, less than half the cost of similar summer voyages starting at $4,799.

“The pricing is more competitive than in summer,” Spencer of Ocean & River Cruises Travel said.

Celebrity Cruises joined the year-round Mediterranean market in 2023, deploying its 2,170-passenger Celebrity Infinity vessel for various winter itineraries. The company offers eight-night voyages in Italy and Greece starting at $987 per person in January and 10-night Greek excursions starting at $998 per person in February.

Travel industry professionals note a demographic divide in the appeal of off-season cruising. Victoria Hardison-Sterry, an Orlando-based travel adviser with Lake Shore Travel, said “Boomers are all for it.” She also noted that older adults tend to appreciate the value and have flexible schedules. “Honeymooners, if they’re going to be cold, they’re going to ski, and Gen Xers with families are more constrained by the calendar.”

Winter cruising does present certain trade-offs for passengers. Isabel Rushton, a 76-year-old veteran of 76 cruises from Stoke-on-Trent, England, acknowledged the possibility of encountering adverse weather conditions during winter Mediterranean voyages. “You’ve got to accept you’re going to get rain and wind if you’re unlucky,” she said while noting that less crowded attractions compensate for potential seasonal closures. When it comes to sightseeing, she added, “The slight downside is that some places may not be open, but the upside is if they are open, they’re not so busy.”

The expansion of winter sailing extends beyond large cruise operators. River cruise companies, traditionally dormant after the Christmas market season, are testing year-round operations. AmaWaterways launched February cruises on the Danube River and plans to offer two departures in 2025 aboard the 196-passenger AmaMagna.

Rudi Schreiner, president of AmaWaterways, wrote in an email, “The overall growth in demand for river cruising paired with the current travel trend of escaping crowded destinations is making the prospect of extending Europe river cruising throughout a 12-month period increasingly more viable.” The company intends to schedule four winter season sailings in 2026.

Winter itineraries typically focus on major cities such as Barcelona and Rome, which maintain better accessibility and services during off-peak months. While primary attractions maintain winter operating hours, some shore excursions require seasonal adjustments. Viking has adapted by introducing new winter-specific experiences, such as visits to olive orchards during the harvest season on the Greek island of Crete.

The industry views off-season cruising as a potential solution to overtourism concerns plaguing popular destinations. Spencer, who experienced peak-season congestion in Santorini during 2023, predicted modest but steady growth in winter cruising, particularly among travelers seeking authentic experiences despite cooler temperatures.

Mediterranean temperatures remain relatively mild during winter, with cities like Barcelona experiencing highs in the low 60s and lows in the high 40s. This climate, combined with reduced crowds and lower prices, has created a viable alternative to traditional winter cruise destinations, potentially reshaping the industry’s seasonal patterns for years to come.