A Europe cruise blends the best of relaxation & cultural enrichment. Onboard, enjoy top-notch entertainment, sensational food & wonderful service. Onshore, spend time in some of the world’s most historically and culturally important cities. Looking for a 2012 Europe Cruise?
It’s important to find the cruise that fits your lifestyle and interests – that’s where we can help. As cruise experts, we will match you with the perfect itinerary, cruise line and ship for a vacation that is personalized to reflect your preference, and remember this advise and personalized attention comes at NO COST to you, so why not let us do all the hard work and planning for you?
Whether you choose a Mediterranean cruise, a Baltic sailing or a Europe River cruise, please keep in mind that ships and dates are selling out fast! It’s always good to book early. In many cases if prices go down, your rate can also be adjusted.
Here’s a useful Europe Cruise Planner with overviews of what you can see and do when visiting each region.
Cruise the Mediterranean in Style
The Mediterranean is a region of astounding historical significance and breathtaking natural beauty. The crystal-blue seas drift upon rolling, terraced shorelines that provide foundation to some of the world’s oldest and most important locales and a homeland to many of history’s most influential people, both real and mythological. For an extensive overview of the beauty and heritage of this region, there is no better way to explore than a Mediterranean cruise.
Sorrento, Italy: Its early name, “Surrentum,” was in deference to the Sirens, the shipwreck-causing mermaids who bewitched sailors. In the Odyssey, Ulysses tells of turning the Sirens into the Li Galli rocks that surround the city’s seascape. The Villa Comunale is a perfect place to unwind, with incredible views of the bay and a collection of gorgeous gardens.
Ephesus, Turkey: Offered as a shore excursion from Kusadasi, Ephesus, Turkey is perhaps the best-preserved ancient city in the Eastern Mediterranean. Another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, was once located in Ephesus. The city’s heritage can be experienced in its extensive collection of Roman public architecture, from libraries and fountains to baths and brothels and the astounding Temple of Hadrian.
Valletta, Malta: Malta’s capital city began as a refuge from the Turks, with forts surrounding the city on all sides and transverse streets beginning and ending with staircases right down to the harbor. Not far from the city is the Hagar Qim temple. Dating back to 3600 B.C. it is possibly the oldest man-made structure in the world.
Mallorca, Spain: Palma de Mallorca, off the coast of mainland Spain, is a delightful hybrid of the Arabian Nights and the Renaissance where the island’s past of alternating African and European control is always visible. The Catedral, a former mosque transformed in the 13th century, is a spectacular showpiece often likened to a ship moored at the city’s waterfront edge.
Rhodes, Greece: The oldest inhabited city in Europe, Rhodes was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes, an ancient statue of the god Helios. Helios was knocked down by an earthquake 2,300 years ago, but still in existence are 40-foot thick city walls and the spectacular Acropolis of Lindos, perched 380 feet above the sea.
Katakolon and the Site of Olympia, Greece: That weeks-long athletic extravaganza that keeps you glued to the television every other year? It all began here in 776 B.C., and it’s still the place where the Olympic torch is lit each Olympiad – using the sun and a lens. The original “locker rooms,” gymnasia and stadium are still here, as are temples to Zeus and other gods.
Dubrovnik, Croatia: Begun as a Byzantine trading outpost in the 7th century, Dubrovnik is the birthplace of the Croatian language and was rivaled only by Venice in Mediterranean commercial and cultural significance. Its medieval quarter is still completely encircled by walls, and the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery are home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, in operation since 1391.
Holy Land Cruises often fall into the category of Mediterranean as they include stops in Italy, Greece and or Turkey. On holy land cruises you can also walk in the footsteps of prophets and kinds in Jerusalem or discover the Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza.
Other popular ports of call include Portofino and Venice Italy, Palermo, Sicily, St. Tropez and Nice, France, Santorini and Mykonos, Greece, Istanbul, Turkey and Barcelona, Spain.
Although the most popular time to cruise is May through October, some ships now sail the Mediterranean year round. There are over 60 ships that cruise the Mediterranean in 2014. For families popular choices include the Allure of the Seas, Disney Magic, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas and the Norwegian Epic. For a premium cruising experience, consider the Celebrity Eclipse, Equinox, Silhouette and Reflection or the Emerald or Ruby Princess. Luxury cruise ship include the Azamara Question, Crystal Serenity, Oceania Marina, Seabourn Odyssey, Silver Spirit and the Seven Seas Voyager.
Browse 2014 Mediterranean Cruises
Experience the Baltic
A journey to this area of the world has a certain mystique that you’ll only understand by experiencing it firsthand. Scandinavia and Russia have some of the most spectacular sights that Europe has to offer. These fascinating cultures have resulted in some of Europe’s most captivating palaces, cathedrals and museums. Highlights include St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gdansk, Tallin and Helsinki, and either Berlin or Oslo, depending on your itinerary.
From the British Isles to the fjords of Norway and the quaint capitals of Scandinavia, experience the great cities of the Baltic Sea. Exciting St. Petersburg, picturesque Bergen and other treasures await you on a Baltic cruise.
Baltic cruises run April through September. Cruise ships that offer Baltic cruises in 2014 are the Adventure of the Seas, Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Brilliance of the Seas, Caribbean Princess, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Emerald Princess, Royal Princess (new ship) and Holland America’s Eurodam.
Browse 2014 Baltic Cruises
New Views of the Old World
Are you ready to really see the interior of Europe? Then a European river cruise is the perfect choice for you. From the cobble-stone villages that have existed for hundreds – even thousands – of years, to some of the most famous cities in the world and the rolling mountains, forests, vineyards and plains that stretch between them, on a river cruise the experience is more intimate and personal, allowing you to truly connect with the place.
As you travel between each city, you are literally traversing history. Europe’s waterways were the freeways of old, making possible the settlement of every corner of the continent, the expansion of the empires and events such as the Crusades that altered the course of history.
But river cruising has many other benefits that extend far beyond the amazing sights and history you’ll experience. You enjoy the experience from the comfort of an open-air deck. And when the days are finished, you enjoy evening entertainment and fabulous food. Perhaps most important, European river cruise groups are small – some as small as 50 people – allowing for dedicated, personalized service and the opportunity to befriend other like-minded travelers. The pace is slower and more relaxing, so you and your new found friends reach each destination rested and ready to explore. And your ship is like a floating hotel, so there’s no packing and unpacking every time you reach a new city.
In addition to the unique amenities river cruising provides, some cruise lines offer special itineraries that make the experience even more distinctive. Your options range from sailings focusing on cycling or walking tours to those centered on the classical music that was composed – and in some cases, inspired by – the waterways, such as the famous Blue Danube Waltz.
Browse 2014 and 2015 Europe River Cruises
