Cruise Destination: Europe

This month’s featured cruise destination is Europe! If you missed the first post in this series, be sure to check it out here!

There are so many different options for European cruising, the biggest struggle in booking is usually deciding where you want to visit! Below, I have provided a quick summary of what locations are included in the most popular groupings.

A Western Mediterranean itinerary usually includes stops in Spain, Barcelona and Monaco, as well as Italy. Eastern Mediterranean cruises encompass Italy, Croatia and Greece, and sometimes Turkey and Israel.

A Baltic Sea voyage brings you to Scandinavia and Russia; the Norwegian Fjords. British Isles cruises usually include England, Ireland and sometimes France.

Small ship cruises are also available to the Canary Islands, which is a grouping of heavenly destinations on the southern coast of Morocco, Spain.

With so many ports of call cruising to Europe, each itinerary offers something unique. Most European cruises are at least 9 days, but there are some shorter options as well. I personally recommend at least 10 days because there are so many amazing things to see!

Some of the most popular European Cruising Lines include: Holland America, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Viking. There are also numerous regionally specific lines that offer a luxury experience as well. 

Here are some things to consider when booking European Destination Cruises:

• Fly into a destination that is on the top of your must-see list. For example, say Rome is high on your list, you can fly into Rome a few days before your cruise and explore the city.
• Spend some time before and after your cruise. For example, after a Mediterranean cruise, treat yourself to a 7-day adventure to Greece and Turkey. Or, after you disembark in Barcelona, take an 11-day journey through the Canary Islands, Casablanca, Granada and Alicante, Spain.
• Know your exchange rate! The origin of your destination will determine your on-board rate. Your specific daily excursion or destination will determine your off-board rate. 
• You will need a passport. This may seem like a no-brainer but many times people think that it is not needed especially if they have only done cruises that depart/arrive in the USA. 
• Cruising allows you to unpack once. Instead of hopping from hotel to hotel like one does on a land based vacation, you can unpack once and pack less because you can do laundry on board. You will be able to see WAY more in a short period of time than taking separate modes of transport, checking in and out of hotels, searching for restaurants, etc. 

Be sure to email us for our list of the Top 3 European Destination Cruises, and the best time to take them!