Swimming During a Med Cruise?

[Shanti]

We'll be cruising the Mediterranean in June. Are there any great beaches, pools or water parks in that area that anyone could recommend?

 

[Shanti]

Is it unusual to want to spend time at the beach while in the Med? Don't Europeans hit the beaches there in the summer?

 

[bobbiwoz]

On a Greek Island Cruise, we did find a beach near the port and swam. However, mostly we wanted to see the places and sights in the ports we were docked at.

 

[Shanti]

On a Greek Island Cruise, we did find a beach near the port and swam. However, mostly we wanted to see the places and sights in the ports we were docked at.

What are Mediterranean waters like? Clean? Strong currents or gentle waters?

 

[darnheather]

What are Mediterranean waters like? Clean? Strong currents or gentle waters?

They can be very cold in June still. Check your ports on Trip Advisor.

 

[TestingH2O]

Will you stop in Cannes? There is a very nice public beach right by where the tenders dock there. The water was definitely cold in June but still doable for swimming.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it unusual to want to spend time at the beach while in the Med? Don't Europeans hit the beaches there in the summer?

We didn't have time for "beach time" on our Med cruise. But, in at least one port (sorry, can't recall which, I'll look into it) the "beach" was just rocks. But there were a few people there. This was in September.

When I traveled in Europe with my family years ago, in Nice, we went to the beach there. I managed to sunburn the tops of my feet and ankles (only part of me sticking out from under umbrella).

 

[Shanti]

They can be very cold in June still. Check your ports on Trip Advisor.

Thanks for the tip. I looked on TA and found Italian thermal baths that date from ancient times but are still in use. Can't wait to try it as I love history and hot water!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OK, here's the beach in Ajaccio, Corsica. Very rocky and narrow, behind a big concrete wall next to the road:

 

[Shanti]

I also found a nice public beach next to a castle near one of the ports in Italy.

 

[bobbiwoz]

What are Mediterranean waters like? Clean? Strong currents or gentle waters?

In Greece, sister swam on Mykonos, I forget our port, gentle, no waves or currents. In July, lovely.

 

[tlprice]

My daughter swam in the little beach in Villefranche. It was nice and the water wasn't too cold even though we were there in June. The beach was small rocks instead of sand. We actually wished we had spent the day there instead of going to Monaco. We only had about an hour at the beach because we had to do a little shopping and get back to the ship. We didn't know it was there ahead of time.

 

[FSU Girl]

I didn't go to any beaches either time I sailed the Mediterranean. There was just so much to see and do, going to the beach seemed like a waste, something we could easily do at home or in the Caribbean. The only beach I saw was when I was in Nice and the entire beach is made out of small rocks, not sand. But people seemed to be enjoy themselves and were laying out, it just seemed a bit uncomfortable for me. The Greek Isles would probably have a lot more beaches to enjoy.

 

[darnheather]

Thanks for the tip. I looked on TA and found Italian thermal baths that date from ancient times but are still in use. Can't wait to try it as I love history and hot water!

That sounds really fantastic!

 

[Shanti]

I didn't go to any beaches either time I sailed the Mediterranean. There was just so much to see and do, going to the beach seemed like a waste, something we could easily do at home or in the Caribbean...

Yes, I can understand that from your perspective, but we live in a landlocked area with no beaches nearby, and a DCL cruise to the Caribbean is expensive. So going to the beach, particularly on the Mediterranean Sea, is a special opportunity for us. Some of the beaches there have pebbles, others white sand.

We don't want to spend our entire trip doing manic touring, but instead want to balance touring with relaxation.

 

[anjuan]

If your cruise is one of the ones leaving from Barcelona they do have some nice sand beaches that were created when they hosted the Olympics. We didn't swim in them but went to a nice restaurant along the beach and walked along their beach boardwalk.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If your cruise is one of the ones leaving from Barcelona they do have some nice sand beaches that were created when they hosted the Olympics. We didn't swim in them but went to a nice restaurant along the beach and walked along their beach boardwalk.

I agree, Barcelona had some nice wide sandy beaches. We saw a lot of sand volleyball games going on. That might be an option before or after you board.