Cruising Europe

Before you read this article, start off by knowing that there will be more ships than ever in Europe this summer. Most lines are repositioning more ships this year than ever before. You can find contemporary lines such as Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean, some premium lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess and Holland America and of course your luxury lines, Silversea, Regent and Azamara Club Cruises. The choices and itineraries are seemingly endless! And best of all, with all the cruise lines there, you can more than likely find a really great deal for your cruise to Europe!

Europe is a spectacular cruise destination for many reasons. A European cruise can be a great vacation option for a first-timer or for someone who has been to Europe many times. European cruises are a good fit for travelers who want to see the history, art, and natural beauty of Europe without having to figure out where to stay, where to dine and how to get around.

Many of the most popular sites in Europe are accessible to cruise travelers. Most of Europe's major cities were built right on the water and are impressive to see from the deck of a ship. The few sites not accessible from the water are usually only a short bus or train ride away. Cruising to Europe allows travelers to see many cities or sites efficiently. Most cruise ships sail at night and arrive in the next port of call early in the morning, allowing passengers a full day to sightsee. Cruise ships offer guided tours (shore excursions) to most of the important sites in each port, or passengers can explore on their own. Unlike a bus tour, independent driving vacation, or train trip, you only have to unpack once on a cruise. Unpacking once on a trip where you stop in multiple cities and countries … that sounds good to me!

Currently, the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro or British pound is not good for travelers. European hotels and restaurants are much more expensive than comparable North American accommodations or food. Since most cruise ship fares and onboard prices are based on the U.S. dollar, the cost does not seem as high as when items are priced with the local currency.

So, when is the best time to cruise to Europe you ask? April to November is the best time of year to cruise Europe, and you will have the widest selection of ships during this time. This year, some cruise lines are actually sending the majority of their ships to Europe, so the selection will be even wider. Some cruise lines operate in the Mediterranean year round, so if you must travel during the winter, there will be a ship available. June through August is the high season for most itineraries, with the prices during the other months being lower. Depending on where you are cruising, the spring and fall may be actually preferable since it won't be so hot. Sometimes tourist facilities close during the off season or have shorter opening hours, but your savings could be substantial and it might just be worth it. The time of year is somewhat driven by where you want to go on your European cruise. Just remember that the best time to go to each destination is usually the most expensive.

Mediterranean - Best temperatures are in the spring and fall. Greece, Turkey, the Rivieras, and southern Italy and Spain get especially hot in the summer, with temperatures approaching 90 degrees away from the ocean.

Scandinavia and the Baltics - Cruises usually run to northern Europe only from late May to early September, with the late summer providing the best weather (70s or higher). Mid-June to early July is interesting because of the midnight sun, which only disappears for 3-4 hours each night.

Great Britain and Ireland - Late summer and early fall are the sunniest months. Temperatures are generally much cooler (only in the low- to mid-60s) than on the European continent.

Rivers of Europe - River cruise ships operate on the great rivers of Europe from early spring through November and again for the German Christmas markets in early December. Summer is the best weather, but the fall colors are spectacular and the temperatures are moderate. Tulip cruises operate in the Netherlands from March through mid-May, with April the best month for viewing tulips.

Atlantic Islands, Portugal, and western France - Cruise ships often visit Madeira and the Canary Islands as part of Caribbean/Mediterranean repositioning cruises in the spring and fall. These islands have good weather and moderate temperatures year-round. Ports of call in Portugal and western France are popular in the late spring and early fall when ships are repositioning between the Mediterranean and northern Europe. Temperatures are moderate during these times and it may be rainy in the spring.

With all of that said, you may be wondering which itinerary you should be looking at. Here is a general idea of the different itineraries offered and where you can expect ships to visit on each itinerary.

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.

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.

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, CruiseOne Freer & Associates can help you make sure your trip will be a memorable one! Let us help you decide on an itinerary, when to go, what cruise line works for you. We offer unbiased opinions and will work with you to make sure that your cruise is on a ship that fits your wants, needs and desires. Our customer service is what we pride ourselves on, and using us as your travel agency does not cost you anything extra. So yes, you can get amazing service for free! Give us a call, 888-882-5793 or visit us on the web at http://www.kfreer.cruiseone.com/for contemporary cruise lines or at http://www.kfreer.sealuxe.com/for luxury cruise lines.


Reference site www.about.com