Monday, April 1, 2024

15 of the Best European River Cruises

best european cruise

Walk Tallinn’s cobbled streets and admire the preserved medieval architecture from its 13th-century origins. The vessel sails five- to 12-night voyages back and forth between Rome and Barcelona, calling on ports that include Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Marseille, Cannes and Florence (Livorno). At press time, last-minute fares started from $90 per person, per night, for a studio cabin for one. While fares aren't the cheapest you'll find, you'll get a lot for your money. In addition to the tours, Viking includes Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and beer and wine with lunch and dinner in its prices. To help you out, I've narrowed down my favorites for the best cruises to Europe for different types of travelers, including families, couples and solo travelers.

Fun European Cities to Visit With Kids

Just know that once you go, you may feel a need to return — either to see a port you loved more in-depth on a land vacation or to sail to the Mediterranean countries you missed on your first go-round. Spend three perfect days sailing from Haifa, Israel to Limassol, Cyprus, and back again. The quick cruise is the perfect way to get on the water if you just want to spend a weekend at sea on an otherwise land-bound trip. Check out a few shore excursions, or go it alone, knowing you have the perfect place to call home, even for a few days, each night. The nine-night trip takes guests to seven ports through Italy and Croatia, providing varied terrain and plentiful shore excursion options.

A sensory tour of Europe

best european cruise

Visit beautiful seaside towns like Portofino, explore the Venetian canals, and enjoy the ship's amenities during days at sea. Those looking for an adults-only option will find exactly what they need with Viking Cruises. The company is strictly for guests ages 18 and up, providing a more mature cruising environment. The company stops in dozens of ports, making finding a cruise that fits your travel desires a snap.

Lueftner Cruises

After a long day of exploring, parents and grandparents can relax at the spa or in the lounge. The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there's family karaoke. A tour of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace, marionette show, concert, and strudel making are options the next day. A day in Salzburg ends onboard with "The Sound of Music" film and singalong.

Rock Climbing on Norway Fjords Cruise

I am a freelance journalist who has covered travel for over a decade and the cruise industry for several of those years. I've written about destinations ranging from the South China Sea to the Arctic and Norway. Some of my favorite cruise experiences include sailing the Rhine during fall or a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2 during summer. I adore my home city, London, the west coast of Ireland and New York, where I once spent a summer living in Brooklyn Heights on a work abroad program. Outside of travel, my passions are my veggie patch, my record collection and spending time with friends and family.

Plan a Greek Island Hopping Getaway

The experience is worth the $295 fee, especially for true oenophiles who will get to savor coveted Bordeaux Grand Crus. Other highlights include visiting a truffle farm near Viviers and savoring a selection of wines at Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard. In Lyon, guests can visit foodie heaven at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the city’s outstanding indoor food market filled with a vast array of produce. Their cruise in northern Italy along the Po River, "From the Canals of Venice to Renaissance-infused Mantua," is a seven-day excursion starting in Venice where guests can discover St. Mark's Square and Doge's Palace. In partnership with CroisiEurope aboard the MS Michelangelo, the ship heads west to Vicenza and then on to Chioggia.

Best for solo cruisers: Norwegian Epic

Expect a casual vibe where passengers dress up like mermaids, crew dress up like drag queens, and performers look like real people. However, it's Norwegian Epic that has a presence in the Western Mediterranean, offering solo cruisers a chance to explore Europe on a ship with staterooms just for them. If you're a senior traveler who loves great food and excellent wine, one of the best luxury European cruises you can book is a Canary Islands cruise on Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn. This ship truly embodies the decadence of Renaissance Venice, with a playful interior featuring hand-painted Venetian masks and flamboyant custom-made fabrics by Venice-design house Fortuny.

Night France, Italy & Greece Cruise

Booking a shore excursion with Celebrity also means you’ll be visiting attractions with a professional guide, and on a tour that guarantees to return you to the ship on time. A Celebrity European cruise vacation takes you to some of the most exciting cities in the world, from Iceland and the Fjords in Northern Europe to the Mediterranean,  the Canary Islands and the stunning Greek Isles. You’ll set sail on spectacular new adventures on any European cruise with Celebrity.

Night British Isles Cruise

In Sardinia, ride a 4x4 into the wetlands and oak forests before dismounting for a hike in the island wilderness. Onboard, the Celebrity Ascent keeps active guests engaged with its fitness center, activities and entertainment, and fueled for more activity with 32 restaurants, bars and lounges. Travel to Europe’s most fascinating destinations on perfectly sized cruise ships offering unmatched service and an award-winning onboard experience. Enjoy entertainment for every preference and the best live music at sea. When Viking Ocean Cruises returns to cruising this summer, it will have three ships sailing from Valletta on Malta to Greece, Italy, and Spain. Our pick is Viking’s 10-night Malta and Adriatic Jewels Cruise, roundtrip from Valletta.

While cruisers are spoiled for choice in this part of the world, it can be difficult to know where to begin when researching voyages.

best european cruise

The cruise line prides itself on its low guest-to-crew member ratio, ensuring your every need is easily met. The company offers plentiful options when it comes to Mediterranean sailings, including seven, 14, 21, and even 38-day cruises for those who can’t get enough. With this cruise company, you’re almost spoiled with choice, making it hard to pick just one itinerary. So maybe, think about it as this year’s trip, then the next, then the next, and on and on forever, because there are just so many options available. See multiple international cities without the hassle of transportation or additional planning. Cruise from one destination to the next with world-class entertainment, fresh food and relaxing accommodations at your fingertips.

The company's "time to discover" philosophy focuses on intensive travel experiences, shore excursions, and varied culinary offerings. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Large private bathrooms include full showers and L'Occitane bath amenities.

The worst months to cruise to Europe - Royal Caribbean Blog

The worst months to cruise to Europe.

Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

An Ultimate Italian Riviera shore excursion ($159 per person) takes you to the town of Camogli and other sites that will look familiar to Luca fans. Disney is being mum about any possible movie-related character appearances and experiences. After a pandemic year without any European cruises available to Americans, sailing options are returning for the summer 2021 season. Cruise lines are testing the waters with a limited number of ships and new health and safety protocols in place with most cruises restricted to passengers who have been vaccinated. The most popular time to cruise to Europe is during the summer months, but the shoulder seasons of spring and fall are prime times to see the continent with fewer crowds. Cruise lines sail to Europe year-round, with special voyages to view the northern lights, visit holiday markets and other wintry wonders, but there are notably less sailings during the months of January through February.

Travel Tuesday cruise deals go live at midnight on Cyber Monday, and are designed to bring you discounts on experiences that you'll remember for a lifetime. Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Some so-called Mediterranean cruises actually spend most of their time on the Adriatic Sea, sailing from Venice and visiting ports in Croatia and Greece, and sometimes Montenegro and Albania. You may also find an Adriatic sailing wrapped into longer Western or Eastern Mediterranean cruises. Take a holiday, cruise to Greece, and experience the beauty and magnificence of the Greek Isles for an unforgettable vacation. Explore the mainland and witness ancient history, or travel to the picturesque sun-drenched beaches of the once-powerful empire. Unwind as you take in the beauty of the Atlantic and enjoy more time at off-the-beaten-path Europe destinations and remote islands. Kids will love exploring castles in Scotland and Ireland, basking in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, or spotting whales on a boat tour.

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