Europe
From the Mediterranean's picturesque towns, gorgeous sunsets and historical sites to the Christmas markets and medieval villages experienced on a river cruise, up to Northern Europe's stunning fjords, natural beauty and Celtic and Viking history... cruising in Europe really does offer an experience for everyone.
Best Times to Go
The Mediterranean:
Peak: June, July August
Shoulder: March, April, September, October
River cruising:
Peak: June, July, August
Shoulder: March, April, September, October
Christmas markets: December
Ways to Cruise
Ocean - Luxury:
On an Ocean Luxury cruise, you can expect a true five-star all-inclusive (or mostly inclusive) experience with personalised attention, exceptional service and beautifully appointed and spacious cabins.
A few of our favourites:
7-day Amalfi Coast & Adriatic Gems with Seabourn - you'll visit the Amalfi Coast, Corfu and Montenegro before disembarking in Dubrovnik.
10-night Exploring Northern Horizons - Reykjavik to Reykjavik with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
10-night Lisbon to Portsmouth with Crystal - Porto is first before heading to San Sebastian and then onto Bordeaux for three days. Enjoy a sea day before reaching Plymouth and disembarking in Portsmouth.
Ocean - Deluxe:
On a deluxe ocean cruise, you'll enjoy well-appointed cabins with great service and enhanced dining options.
A few of our favourites:
14-day Fairytale Isles & Fjords with Oceania Cruises - London to Oslo - discover the dramatic beauty of Norway and the British Isles’ rugged landscapes. Pet the Shetland Islands’ adorable ponies, stroll through Oslo’s intricately carved Gol Stave Church and sail breathtaking Sognefjord, Scandinavia’s longest fjord.
13-day Mediterranean Odyssey with Viking - embarking in Barcelona, you'll then head to Marseille and Monte Carlo before venturing into Italy to see Florence, Rome and Naples. From there, it's off to Corfu, Dubrovnik and Split before finishing your cruise in Venice. This cruise also runs in the reverse direction.
7-night Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems with Virgin Voyages - cruise the most incredible spots in the Adriatic Sea — by way of Croatia’s coastline, Greece’s glamorous islands, and a bay in the Balkans. With a late-night stay in Dubrovnik, there’s plenty of time to explore the scenic city during the day and take part in the vibrant nightlife. Adults only cruise.
Small Ship Cruising
There are many options for this style of cruise - from yachts to small ships - with each offering something different. With a focus on the destination, this type of cruising or sailing allows you to sail right into small harbours and ports that the bigger ships can't or can only access via tender.
A few of our favourites:
7-day Enchanting Greece, Sicily & Malta with SeaDream - From Athens to Mykonos to Hydra, Itea and Zakynthos before heading to Sicily's Taormina and disembarking in Valletta, Malta.
10-night Lisbon to Barcelona with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - compare two grand Moorish fortresses protected by UNESCO – the Alcázar royal palace of Seville and Granada’s Alhambra castle near Málaga – and then explore the contrasting cultures and unrivaled beaches of the Balearic Islands.
7-night Croatia & Montenegro with Star Clippers - visiting Venice, Mali Losinj, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Vis, Rovinj and back to Venice.
10-day Treasures of Southern Spain & Morocco with Windstar - Lisbon to Barcelona - travel to Tangier, Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Tarragona.
River Cruising
River cruising is a wonderful way to see your destination as you leisurely cruise down rivers and canals that traditional cruise ships cannot access. There are plenty of opportunities to get off an enjoy the local sights, with some river cruise companies even offering bicycles to explore.
A few of our favourites:
12-day The Blue Danube with Tauck - on this journey featuring a nine-night Danube cruise, you'll enjoy a private dinner in Lobkowicz Palace; an exclusive evening of Imperial entertainment at a Vienna palace; and visits to Salzburg, Budapest’s Castle Hill, and Vienna’s Hofburg or Schönbrunn Palace.
15-day France's Finest with Viking - for everything francais... begin in Paris and continue on to La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Seine River, Rouen, Normandy Beaches, Les Andelys and back to Paris. Onto Lyon, Vienne and the Rhone River, Tournon, Viviers, Arles before disembarking in Avignon.
8-day The Douro, Porto and Salamanca River Cruise with Riviera Travel - starting in Porto, Portugal’s river Douro has been tamed by locks into resembling a series of finger lakes. Next is Salamanca - home to two cathedrals and the oldest university in Spain. You will visit some of Iberia’s most beautiful medieval towns, monasteries and vineyards.
15-day Rhine, Moselle & Belgium Grand Discovery with Uniworld - Meander your way from Belgium to Switzerland, visiting The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Switzerland along the way.