Planning your first cruise vacation to Europe can be daunting, but with a few steps you will be on your way to an exciting adventure. The European season is just about year-round, but the majority of cruise lines start between April to November. The ship starts moving over in April for the Transatlantic cruises and it is a nice way to get over the pond from the US and the pricing can be alluring.
Length of Cruise
How many days can you go on the European adventurer? A 7-night cruise can get you 3-4 ports of call while 12-14 days are ideal to maximize flight and time in ports. The European Rivers are typically around 8-days. Although the ports of call are not far from one another, it can still be exhausting so make sure you plan some downtime to rest. You don't want to have to tell your boss you need another vacation after a vacation.
Region
Once you decide on your time frame, you have a choice of three regions - Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the European Rivers. Northern Europe itinerary would include Iceland, the Baltic, or the British Isles. The Mediterranean journey stretches from Portugal to Istanbul- cities along the Mediterranean Sea including Northern Africa. Lastly, the European Rivers include the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Moselle, and the Po. This approach will streamline the decision-making process, allowing you to craft an itinerary that features your preferred stops.
Pre/ Post Stays
Do you want to extend your time before or after you sail? This not only gets you over jetlag, but it will also let you explore the city's nightlife. Dinner at a local restaurant is the best way to enjoy the local culture. Some pre-cruise cities will stretch your dollars - Istanbul vs Athens vs London vs Amsterdam. Don't forget that you can travel to other cities using the local airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair or the train system. For example, your flight arrives to Heathrow (LHR), take a flight to Dublin or train to Paris and then hop on a cruise to Southampton.
Cabin
Now that you have your itinerary, the next decision would be deciding on your cabins. For budget-conscious options, choosing an inside cabin makes sense so you have more money to spend on your experiences - taking in the food, seeing a city highlight, or buying some souvenirs for the family. Your inside cabin is only for sleeping, so why pay more?
An ocean-view cabin allows you to wake up to the sunrise, preparing you for the day's adventures. You'll awaken feeling refreshed at the sight of the new port welcoming you in.
The balcony option allows the sea breeze to come in and when you are back from the day of exploring, a glass of wine on the balcony would hit the spot.
Opting for a suite means enjoying the luxury of having your bedroom and living room separate, along with Butler Concierge services to attend to your needs discreetly. Why carry worries on your vacation when you can have someone handle them for you?
Cruise Line
Your style of cruising would help you decide on which cruise line to choose- here are some questions to ask yourself:
How many people on the boat would you like to travel with?
What kind of activities do you like to do for fun?
Do you like the off-beaten paths or the main city highlights?
Do you like everything to be all-included or a la carte?
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