Trying to decide cruise wardrobe for late fall Mediterranean
 

I don't want to overpack, but at the same time, I want to be appropriately dressed on and off the ship. I've looked at the seasonal temps in Rome and Barcelona (beginning and ending ports) but that doesn't necessarily reflect the temperatures on the water. Struggling whether to even bother to bring a swimsuit, for example. If anyone has any cruise experience for this location at this time of year I'd appreciate the advice.

I will be in Rome 3 days before and Barcelona 3 days after the cruise, which is 7 days late Oct-early Nov.

Well, a swimsuit takes up no space and at least one pool should be heated. Also, hot tubs will be nice. We did need jackets and sweaters most days of our med cruise in Oct-Nov. I also liked having socks and shoes rather than sandals.

I don't see how anyone can give you any real guidance. You've checked the "seasonal temperatures" in the Mediterranean for the time period of your trip. Unless you live in an area where there aren't any significant seasonal temperature fluctuations and you've never experienced the temperature ranges you've researched you probably already know the answer to your question. Simply bring clothes you think would be appropriate for those temperature ranges.

As far as a bathing suit, Sassafrass has already given you the proper advice, it's common sense and a non-issue.

Late October and early Nov would be cooler with temperature in the 60s an 70s.

We were in Rome in October a few years ago and the weather was between 65-70. Local were dressed on winter parka. I had a light sweater or wind breaker. Not sure what Barcelona temperature at that time would be like.

I have cruise for years and through different cruise lines and I have never, ever sat foot in the ship's hot tubs or swimming pool. Not once! We brought suits for the beaches and that's about it.

I don't like to advertise for someone but I have been using this web site lately for my destination weather forecast. Just remember that weather being weather, it is very unpredictable, but at least it is a forecast. Check it before you leave as it only give you 7 days out. https://cruiseoutlook.com/

We tend to travel light, leave lots of spaces in the suitcase, allow for shopping time and buy local on what we needed, especially for clothing. The outfits would be our memory and souvenirs.

RoamsAround it's not just a matter of knowing what to wear at the ports. Unless you're the type that spends all day at the casino you'll want to know if it's going to be too chilly to swim or sunbathe (or even just sit at the pool bar) when the ship's moving.

Maggi: I'm doing a late September-early October cruise and have been wondering the same thing. We're sailing RC Brilliance of the Seas, which has a retractable roof over the solarium, and people on Cruise Critic were complaining that they always have it closed. So that gives me hope that at least one place on the ship will be nice and toasty. I suspect the interior will be aggressively air conditioned like they always are, but maybe it won't be when you set sail. I think most ships sailing in late fall would have an enclosed pool, so check to see if yours does.

I'm guessing the at-sea outdoor temperatures won't be significantly colder than the ports because the water will still be warm from the summer. But I've read Mediterranean fall can sometimes be very windy or rainy so we might not be out on the deck much anyway. Since I like fall clothes that's mostly what I'll be bringing. Things like jeans, skirts with tights, little jackets, loafers, maybe even boots). I don't get hot easily, so those should be comfortable for most excursions and shipboard activities. But I'll also toss in a pair of shorts, bathing suit, and sandals for hot tubbing, and possible poolside lounging if it's warm enough. Those things barely take up space so you might as well bring them.

Sea temperature may still be warm, but air temperature at sea may be considerably cooler. Evenings on a ship can be very windy and/or cool in the Fall in the Med. For ships that have movies under the stars, they usually have blankets.

There are many ships that do not have enclosed pools or retractable roofs. They still do Fall cruises. They usually have one heated pool, but not always. You have to see what your ship offers.

We have been on a couple of Fall cruises in the Med, one a bit earlier, one around the same time as yours. Late September/early October, still nice and warm. By Nov, weather had really cooled down a lot. Hard to plan exactly, but we had jackets anyway because I can't stand being cold during flights.

What ship will you be on?

For what it's worth, we did a nine day Greece/Turkey cruise on RCI's Rhapsody of the Seas last October, first-half, sandwiched by 2 days in Rome each side. Rome was a little rainy, though we had plenty of sun. Weather in the Greek Isles and Turkey was warm, though the cruise didn't offer any beach excursions. We did experience some turbulence at the end in the southern Aegean, which "forced" us to go to Naples (Sorrento) rather than Olympia.

I do understand that November can be rather dicey in the Mediterranean, though trust the cruise line's judgment: it wants its patrons to enjoy themselves.

Enjoy your trip.

We've taken 2 Med cruises at that time of year.
We love sitting in the hit tub after a long day of walking around, so a bathing suit is a must for us.
The next most important thing would be comfortable (and broken in) walking shoes. Cobblestone streets can be a challenge.
We generally wore light weight long pants and long sleeved shirts. An additional layering shirt was useful.
A hooded rain jacket came in handy a few times.
I get cold easily, so always pack a cardigan and a couple of bug, but thin, scarves, but DH never needs one. I don't recall the ship bring unpleasantly cold.

This is exactly the input I was hoping for. Thanks to all for taking the time to share your expertise. I have, of course, checked the temp averages for that time period, but suspected that onboard on the water it would be cooler than on land. I also want to fit in with what locals would be wearing during that time of year, since I don't want to be too obviously a tourist. We are on Silversea, Silver Spirit, Oct 29-Nov 5 Rome-Barcelona, but will be on land 3 days in both cities before and after. I think I will have to be extremely creative with wardrobe layering. Hooded rain jacket is a good idea, as is the sturdy walking shoes. Our ship does not have an enclosed pool, but I could relish the idea of a soak in a hot tub after a long day. From what I have read the staff is at the ready with a towel upon exiting. Could that be true?