Forty degrees in Paris? It’s fair to say the world is not right – in fact, The European Environment Agency says Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, heating up at twice the global average rate, due to proximity to the Arctic’s melting perimeter. So how are those EuroSummer cruises shaping up now?

I recently did  a deep-dive on cruising trends for the Financial Review newspaper and whether the Med cruise still has its lure, in light of the crazy, crazy temps we’re seeing across Europe. And what I found was new destinations, shoulder-season cruises and even winter cruising, as we try to avoid the heat, the crowds and the unashamed price gouging that are the signatures of the EuroSummer.

“Peak season remains as popular as ever, and for good reason, there’s an incredible energy to Europe in summer that many travellers love,” commented one cruise liner.

“However, what we’re increasingly seeing is that experienced travellers, or those who have already done Europe in the peak season, are discovering the shoulder months of April, May, September and October. The weather is still beautiful, the itineraries are the same, but there is a little more breathing room, fewer crowds at the iconic sites, more flexibility, and often you can find better value. It’s less about one being better than the other, and more about knowing there’s a wonderful alternative that suits different travel styles.”

You can read the story here: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/travel/why-you-should-give-summer-cruises-the-cold-shoulder-20260520-p5zz33