How to avoid crowds and save money on European cruises

Early last year I reported: Boom in winter tourism in Europebut it’s worth revisiting as travelers continue to look for ways to avoid the worst of the tourist crowds and reduce travel expenses without giving up on travel.

There are good reasons to travel in low seasons: less crowded ports, fewer queues, special festivals, no heat waves. You can enjoy tulip or cherry blossom time.

The biggest advantage is that you get more value with lower airfares and cruise fares; But while it’s not as low as it used to be, more travelers are realizing the advantage of low season. You’re also likely to find offers like cabin upgrades, in-flight credit, or other amenities.

For example, at the time of this writing, Viking Cruises’ eight-day Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary was priced at $8795 per person on September 8 this year and $5795 per person on December 5.

The eight-day Rhine Highlights cruise with Scenic is $7390 if you want to embark on June 2, 2026, but only $4695 per person for a November 17 departure.

The main disadvantage of cruising in low season is of course the more unpredictable or at least colder weather or wetter weather in the tropics. At worst, you run the risk of hurricane cancellations in places like the Caribbean.

Shorter daylight hours and (especially on river cruises) less attractive landscapes devoid of summer greenery are other disadvantages. But if you are a culture vulture, the cool weather and even rain in the Mediterranean will not prevent you from enjoying the palaces and museums.

Cruise lines are responding to demand by further expanding their operations throughout the year. River cruise lines now offer cruises on Portugal’s Douro River in November and December, for example.

Avalon Waterways has increased off-season river cruises by 88 percent since 2023, with particular demand for wine-themed fall cruises and winter Christmas market cruises in Europe. Wine cruises have grown from seven departures last year to 18 this year.

On the ocean, Viking now has a number of Quiet Season Mediterranean cruises departing between November and April. Many other cruise lines have been extended into winter, including Celebrity, Emerald, Explora Journeys, Princess, Seabourn and Silversea.

More winter cruise visitors are even coming to the Baltics and Norway; Many of them are chasing the Northern Lights.

There is no universal low season for travel because it depends on the destination. Low season in the Caribbean runs from June to October, with shoulder season in May. In the Mediterranean it is from November to March, and in most of Asia it is from May to October, which is warmer and rainier.

Some destinations don’t have low season because cruises are completely over; for example, Alaska, which has shoulder season in May and September, and the South Pacific, where shoulder season is April through May, although some ships visit year-round.

The lowest season for river cruises in Europe is October-November and January-March, but there is a spike in December due to the popularity of Christmas market cruises.