Sassafrass

Travelerjan,

Thanks for the response. You are right. I realize the med is quite different from the Caribbean, and we usually prefer to plan and take a lot of time in a few places. DH loves the cruise experience though, and a cruise popped up at a great price that gives pretty long days (8-10 hours on average) on several islands where there are archeological sites we would especially like to visit. So, it is tempting. I would never think of seeing Italy, for example, on a cruise, but I thought seeing Islands that way would be nice. I love train travel, but hate being on a bus, and I thought a ship to get around would be just as good as the ferry.

I realize we would be missing some of the great food and lovely evenings, that it would be a trade off for me to just be able to see some of the things I want to see. However, being too cold to enjoy walking around, or having gray days and heavy rains would not be enjoyable for me. I knew October was probably the end of the best weather. It is a bit of wishful thinking on my part that it might still be okay in November.

Heimdall,

You are correct. many of the larger ships do move out of the Greek Isles around November, but many cruises do continue. The draw of this cruise for us, besides price, is seeing specific archeological sites, and we just happen to have vouchers for almost free flights to Italy, from the US for those dates, to ports at beginning and end of this particular cruise. So the cruise of 12 days would cost us a total of under $1000.00 each, including airfare. We can always use the free flights, and go someplace else in Europe, but they are not good for any other places (like Australia), only to a few specific cities in Europe. I know we wouldn't have a true island experience. I just hoped it might be a nice, inexpensive trip. If the weather makes it unpleasant though, it would not be worth it, regardless of price.

I very much appreciate your imput. Even with travel experience in Europe, I still want advice. At least then, if I choose to do something, I've been warned. Sometimes, what I want to do, and what works best doesn't go together.

Heimdall

Hi Sassafrass,

If your primary goal is to see specific archaeological sites, then I see no reason why you shouldn't go to the Greek Islands in November -- it will be a more pleasant experience without the heat and crowds of summer. Your husband loves the cruise experience, and you have vouchers for the flights, information you didn't supply in the OP. The trade-off, of course, is what we have already mentioned -- cooler weather and many shops and restaurants closed. Some people enjoy the Greek Islands in off-season, particularly grecophiles who like to be there when the tourists are gone. Go for it!