Cruises in Europe For Less

Large luxury liners feature Europe cruises that hit all the major cities and provide world-class dining and entertainment options that make you never want to get off the boat! Smaller ships will give you quicker loading times and adventures to off-the-beaten-path destinations, although the accommodations are more modest. The most difficult part of cruising is deciding which port stops to take part in. Sometimes you have to just say “no” and enjoy your pre-paid time on the boat, getting some rest and relaxation. Whether you choose Princess, Disney, Carnival Group or another major cruise line, you’ll be happy you decided to forgo the hustle and bustle of the airport for a swankier, more leisurely float.

First time travelers often choose the 12-Night Western Mediterranean cruise to get highlights of all the major cities. For instance, Carnival Group’s “Carnival Freedom” will sail you from Italian stops Civitavecchia (Rome’s port) to Naples (to visit Pompeii and Capri), Venice, Sicily and Livorno (to see Florence, Pisa and Cinque Terre). Next you’ll sail to Croatia (Dubrovnik), Spain (Barcelona) and France (Cannes). Princess Cruise’s “Ruby Princess” will also take you on a comprehensive 12-day Grand Mediterranean trip with cities like Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Venice, Athens and Istanbul starting at $3,200/person. These Europe cruises (sometimes called “highlights” tours) will let you experience some of the most exciting ports so you can decide where to take more intimate vacations later. The downside with choosing this type of excursion is that sometimes you’re surrounded by more tourists than you’d like and the experience may seem a little less magical on such a generic tour.

While the Western Mediterranean cruise takes you to Italy, France and Spain, the Eastern Mediterranean cruises have a charm of their own too. When you cruise Mediterranean’s eastern waters, you’ll come across Greece, Turkey and the opposite side of Italy. In 7-14 nights, Celebrity Mediterranean cruise lines will whisk you away to Italy (Rome/Civitavecchia and Naples), Greece (Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Piraeus/Athens) and Turkey (Istanbul and Kusadasi/Ephesus). These Europe cruises are ideal for history lovers who would like to see historic sites, ancient ruins and the birthplace of democratic thought.

Experienced travelers are often looking for a bit of luxury and personalization on their Europe cruises, which is why an intimate mega-yacht like “Seabourn” is ideal. Not only will you have personal concierge at your beck and call, but you’ll also enjoy spacious cabins with large picture windows, marble bathrooms, flat screen TVs/DVD players and dinner served on expensive china. The ships fit 280 to 450 passengers, which is the perfect size to cruise Mediterranean ports like Cannes and Monte Carlo, but also fit into smaller spots like Bordeaux and the Kiel Canal. Prices for luxury of this magnitude can start at $14,000 per person, although you can get a 60% discount by booking early.