Barcelona was a blustery 50 degrees. Rome drizzled, and the outdoor restaurants at Piazza Navona were covered with canvas, under which portable heaters warmed occasional diners. The marbles of Athens shone while the tourists braved sweater weather.

The Mediterranean Sea, off-season, is no time to cruise if you are seeking a serious suntan or a summerlike experience with the hoards of travelers who pack the Med’s most popular vacation destinations.

Off-Season — from November into April — cruising the Med is for travelers who seek the salt sea air, wander museums, and prefer to walk the ancient ruins of Greece, Turkey, Malta (above),  and Egypt without crowds. Especially Egypt.

“You really don’t want to tour Egypt in summer,” said Armando Da Silva, long-time hotel director for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and hotel boss on the Norwegian Jade, based year round in Barcelona, Spain.

Besides, cruise fares off-season are lower than in summer – starting at less than $100 a day per person for two to a cabin. And now is a good time to book for next winter, as cruise lines offer discounts, best cabins choices and upgrades.

CLICK for more on the Norwegian Jade and cruising the Med

at TheTravelMavens.com