QV Nov.7 Mediterranian rt Southampton?

[Daffydilly]

Itinerary looks wonderful - but we're concrned about the weather in this area during November, and DH was concerned about possible sea conditions in Bay of Biscay. What would be the best time of year to visit this area (Venice, Malaga, Gibraltar, etc.)?

We'd really appreciate the advice of one who's been there - and any comments regarding

A5 or A4 accommodation on deck 5.

[GRHinPorts]

I don't know if you realise this but the same cruise is being offered on the QV in September (leaving on the 2nd). The weather is fabulous in the Med at that time of the year (very warm but not so excessively hot) and a lot of the August crowds have started to died down.

 

We (6 of us) are going on this cruise and very much looking forward to it.

[Norfolk Brit]

I don't know if you realise this but the same cruise is being offered on the QV in September (leaving on the 2nd). The weather is fabulous in the Med at that time of the year (very warm but not so excessively hot) and a lot of the August crowds have started to died down.

 

We (6 of us) are going on this cruise and very much looking forward to it.

 

We're on this one too (this may be your cue to make a hasty exit:)).

There only appear to be outside/inside cabins left, ie no balconies or suites, but you are right about the weather.

 

Mary

[safarigal]

The weather at that time of the year is a bit of a gamble. The Bay of Biscay can be really rough, but that only lasts a few hours, and then it should be smoother sailing. The Mediterranean can be beautifully calm and sunny in November, but we have also experienced some nasty storms on a November cruise, and couldn't go into several ports. If you are OK with the potential for a spell of bad weather, November is fine, and you may be pleasantly suprised. However, you are more likely to get good weather in September and early October, which I agree are perfect times for a cruise in the Med, and as has been said before things tend to be less crowded and the prices better.

[GRHinPorts]

We're on this one too (this may be your cue to make a hasty exit:)).

There only appear to be outside/inside cabins left, ie no balconies or suites, but you are right about the weather.

 

Mary

 

We booked our balcony classes as early as last June. We are travelling with both sets of parents and had even toyed with Princess Grill but it had sold out even at that stage.

 

I am not surprised this cruise has proved to be popular. Cunard didn't offer any Eastern Med cruise out of Southampton at all in 2008 and only 2 (one of them in November which put us off and obviously is a concern of the OP) in 2009.

 

Still at least it means one isnt left feeling annoyed that fares have plummeted in the wake of low demand :)

[Norfolk Brit]

Still at least it means one isnt left feeling annoyed that fares have plummeted in the wake of low demand :)

 

Indeed. Just one small point, if you haven't travelled with Cunard before. As this cruise was obviously selling extremely well when we booked last September, we opted for no upgrade, as we'd chosen a cabin with larger than average balcony and probably the only potential for upgrade was a slightly higher grade within the same category, which would not have had this advantage.

 

If it is important to you that you retain the cabins you've already chosen, a quick call to your travel agent or Cunard may be worthwhile.

 

Mary:)

[GRHinPorts]

Indeed. Just one small point, if you haven't travelled with Cunard before. As this cruise was obviously selling extremely well when we booked last September, we opted for no upgrade, as we'd chosen a cabin with larger than average balcony and probably the only potential for upgrade was a slightly higher grade within the same category, which would not have had this advantage.

 

If it is important to you that you retain the cabins you've already chosen, a quick call to your travel agent or Cunard may be worthwhile.

 

Mary:)

 

Thankyou :)

 

Actually we booked our cruise on board the QV last year. Once we could not get the Princess Grill we were happy for any A Class Balcony cabin since in our view their is little between say an A1 and the (I think) A5 we have got. The only difference seeming to be how high/low or how far from midships you were in the boat. Neither which bothers us.

 

This will be our 6th cruise on Cunard (our 5th is the 4-day Spring Adventure in May) which I find quite amazing!