Cruises to Europe are very different from cruises to the Caribbean or Alaska. Like these popular cruise destinations, Europe has beaches and spectacular natural beauty, but it also has history, art, and cultural sites in most ports of call far too numerous to see in just one day. Most cruises to Europe fall into one of these categories -
Eastern Mediterranean Cruises - Greece, the Greek Isles and Turkey are the highlights of most eastern Mediterranean cruises. Venice, Italy and Croatia (especially Dubrovnik) are also very popular ports of call on eastern Mediterranean itineraries, and a few cruises include stopovers in Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, or Egypt. The ancient archaeological sites of this area, combined with the natural sun-kissed beauty of the islands of Greece make the eastern Mediterranean a wonderful cruise experience.
Western Mediterranean Cruises - The area of the Mediterranean from the southern tip of Italy to the straits of Gibraltar are included in these itineraries. Sicily and towering Mount Etna are fascinating, as are the remains of Pompeii near Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Capri, an island near Naples, is a picture-perfect place to spend the day. Architecture buffs and art lovers will especially enjoy Rome, Florence, and Barcelona. The French and Italian Rivieras, Mallorca, and Monte Carlo feature beautiful beaches and lots of sun. You can also rub elbows with some of Europe's rich and famous along the Rivieras and shop in some of the world's best boutiques.
Scandinavia and the Baltics - Most of these cruise itineraries cover the northern capitals of Europe--Copenhagen, Helsinki, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Oslo, Tallinn, and Riga. These cities are each different, with friendly citizens and interesting architecture and historical sites. The perfect summer weather and long days are relaxing and invigorating. St. Petersburg has so much to see and do that most cruise ships spend 2 or 3 days in port.
Coastal Norway and the Fjords - If you heart is set on seeing the magnificent fjords of Norway, don't get confused and book a northern European cruise that does not go to western Norway. Oslo (on the eastern coast of Norway) is on a fjord, but the countryside is hilly, not mountainous, and the fjords are not as dramatic as on the western coast. A Norwegian fjord cruise will usually include Bergen and perhaps Flam, Trondheim, and the North Cape on its itineraries. The island of Spitsbergen above the Arctic Circle is also a popular summer cruise destination.
European River Cruises - Many wonderful European cities were built on rivers, and these cities are accessible to river cruises. You can cruise all the way across the heart of Europe from Amsterdam on the North Sea to Romania and Bulgaria on the Black Sea via a river ship. River cruises also take passengers from Normandy to Paris or to southern France. Others include Berlin to Prague or Moscow to St. Petersburg. A good rule of thumb is that if there is a major city and a river nearby, there is probably a European river cruise!
British Isles - Cruise from London to Wales, Ireland or Scotland and all around the British Isles. The natural beauty of these islands mixes well with the excitement of London (as a pre- or post-cruise extension). For those who love nature, some small ships like the Hebridean Princess sail the Scottish Isles, with lots of hiking and exploring included along the way.
The Black Sea - Cruise ships sail from Istanbul or Athens into the Black Sea, with ports of call in Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria. These ports mix history and different cultures with ports of the old Soviet Union states.
Islands of the Atlantic Ocean - Several islands make interesting cruise destinations in the Atlantic Ocean. The Canary Islands and Madeira are year-round destinations, and the north Atlantic islands of Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Shetland Islands are included on summer cruises. These islands all have great natural beauty and interesting geological features such as volcanic or geothermal activity, mountainous terrain, or quiet beaches.
Repositioning Cruises from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean - The cruise season in the Mediterranean is almost year-round, but ships only sail the Baltic and northern Europe from May through September. Repositioning cruises between the two parts of Europe are interesting and often a good deal. Ports of call between the UK and the Mediterranean often include Normandy, France with a day trip to Paris; Bordeaux, Bilbao, Lisbon, and some of the islands of the Atlantic Ocean or Gibraltar.
Whichever cruise destination in Europe you choose, your cruise will be a memorable one!
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