Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Mediterranean cruises in November
The season winds down quickly. Most big ships head west on transatlantic crossings early in the month, leaving the year-round MSC and Costa loops and a few late Eastern Med voyages. Expect rainy spells, highs in the low-to-mid 60s °F (16–19°C) and easy access to sights that heave in summer. Many island restaurants and tour operators close for winter.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 65°F
- 10 hrs daylight
Photo: Zysko serhii, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mediterranean in November: Shoulder season
The season winds down quickly. Most big ships head west on transatlantic crossings early in the month, leaving the year-round MSC and Costa loops and a few late Eastern Med voyages. Expect rainy spells, highs in the low-to-mid 60s °F (16–19°C) and easy access to sights that heave in summer. Many island restaurants and tour operators close for winter.
Across Mediterranean cruise ports, November brings average highs around 65°F (18°C) and lows near 56°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- April to October; MSC and Costa run some Western Med routes year-round
- Average high / low
- 65°F / 56°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 to 12 nights; 3- to 5-night samplers and 14-night voyages also run
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How November compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Mediterranean weather in November
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 5513 | 5714 | 6015 | 6518 | 7222 | 8127 | 8730 | 8731 | 8127 | 7323 | 6518 | 5815 |
| Low °F (°C) | 478 | 489 | 5010 | 5412 | 6116 | 7021 | 7524 | 7524 | 7021 | 6317 | 5613 | 5010 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.383 | 2.768 | 2.667 | 1.845 | 2.051 | 1.435 | 0.922 | 1.230 | 2.153 | 2.769 | 3.795 | 3.281 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
November weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 67°F | 51°F | 2.7 in | 10 h |
| Rome | 64°F | 57°F | 4.6 in | 10 h |
| Athens | 68°F | 57°F | 2.5 in | 10 h |
| Santorini | 67°F | 64°F | 2.2 in | 10 h |
| Naples | 66°F | 53°F | 4.5 in | 10 h |
| Livorno (for Florence & Pisa) | 63°F | 59°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| Venice | 57°F | 49°F | 3.9 in | 9 h |
| Dubrovnik | 64°F | 59°F | 7.5 in | 10 h |
| Mykonos | 66°F | 63°F | 2.4 in | 10 h |
| Kuşadası (for Ephesus) | 71°F | 51°F | 3.1 in | 10 h |
| Villefranche-sur-Mer (for Nice) | 62°F | 58°F | 4.3 in | 10 h |
| Istanbul | 62°F | 52°F | 3.0 in | 10 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in November
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in November
- Galápagos Islands in November
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in November
- Japan in November
- Australia & New Zealand in November
- Africa & the Indian Ocean in November
- Transatlantic in November
- Nile River in November
- Mekong River in November
See every destination for November, with a port weather map →
Mediterranean in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to cruise Mediterranean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. The season winds down quickly. Most big ships head west on transatlantic crossings early in the month, leaving the year-round MSC and Costa loops and a few late Eastern Med voyages. Expect rainy spells, highs in the low-to-mid 60s °F (16–19°C) and easy access to sights that heave in summer. Many island restaurants and tour operators close for winter.
What is the weather like on a Mediterranean cruise in November?
Across Mediterranean cruise ports, November brings average highs around 65°F (18°C) and lows near 56°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 10 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise in November?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Mediterranean?
April to October; MSC and Costa run some Western Med routes year-round. The best months are usually May, June, September.
Where else can I cruise in November?
November is also a top month for Mexican Riviera & Baja, Galápagos Islands, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Japan, Australia & New Zealand.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.