Anda
There’s so much to see in Europe! From the Fjords of Norway to the beaches of Greece or the canal banks of Amsterdam, pick your favorite! Sadly, time is a limited resource for most of us. Cruises in Europe provide the ideal solution: a way to get the flavor of multiple countries and destinations – all in one go. You’d be amazed how much you can fit into 7 days. Whether it be Spain, Norway, Budapest, or Greece, here are four varied options that offer something special for those looking to dip their feet into the European cruise experience.
Table of Contents – European Cruises
4 Cruises in Europe – Which is your favorite?
Guest post by Auston Matta from Two Bad Tourists
Virgin Voyages – French Daze and Ibiza Nights
Virgin Voyages are the new kid on the block, with their cruises launching in just 2021. These adults-only cruises offer the very best in onboard activities, dinners, and entertainment. You can expect to experience extravagant performances and parties with risqué themes, like drag queen bingo and a sex therapy cabaret show. You may be hard-pushed to even want to get off the boat at times!
Virgin Voyages provide the best big ship experience and are incredibly welcoming as one of the most gay-friendly cruises in the travel industry. They offer a range of voyages, but French Daze and Ibiza Nights is one of their best, a 7-night trip through western European waters.
Setting off from the popular holiday destination of Barcelona, it first ports in Marseille – lovingly referred to as the crossroads of France. The second biggest city in France, its medieval vibe is a great introduction to French culture. The third day takes you to the glamorous French city – Cannes, with designer bars and couture stores to peruse. Day four sees you setting sail for the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca. You can spend two days exploring the vibrant island, visiting a local winery, and, of course, hitting the beach.
Finally, the voyage arrives in the ever-popular Ibiza, where you are free to soak up some more sun for two days or hit the isle´s (in)famous nightlife before returning to Barcelona. Just be sure you make it back to the boat in time!
Celebrity – Norwegian Fjords
If the cold doesn´t bother you, then why not explore the wonders of the north on Celebrity cruise line’s 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise. Celebrity claims to be one of the best cruise lines going, and they have the awards to back it up, having won Travel Weekly’s best cruise line in Europe award in 2020. What’s more, they are a family-friendly option that offers luxury trips, on well-designed boats, at reasonable prices.
The Norwegian Fjords cruise begins at the legendary capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Lovingly referred to as “the Venice of the north”, its historic canals, iconic architecture, and wealth of museums make it more than worthy of exploration before you even board the ship. The first day is spent out at sea, enjoying the ship´s amenities. Take a respite from the cold within the ship´s luxurious spa as you set sail deep into the north of Europe, before eventually arriving at Haugesund in Norway.
Haugesund is a picturesque city framed by epic mountains and beautiful rugged landscapes. The cruise continues alongside the deepest and longest fjord in the world, anchoring in quaint Norwegian towns and eventually the city of Bergen – a former Viking stronghold! Expect to see cascading waterfalls, glacial lakes, and towering snow-capped mountains within a lost world of tranquility on this unique cruise.
Viking – Danube River Cruise
European cruises need not be limited to the sea. The Danube River runs through the oft-neglected parts of Europe not reachable by the ocean and provides the possibility of seeing four countries and 3 capital cities in just 7 nights. Viking is one of many cruise lines to offer this river option, but what makes them so special is just how destination-focused they are. Not only does the Danube River Cruise provide tours and focused cultural activities at every port, but even the food on board adapts to the destination.
The Danube River Cruise begins at Hungary’s capital Budapest, known as the “Paris of the East” for its ravishing beauty – especially by the river when illuminated by night – and vibrant culture. From one capital to the next, the following port is Bratislava, Slovakia´s capital – a city of baroque palaces flanked by one of the world’s most epic castles. Then, the cruise reaches its third capital in just three nights: Vienna – where you can take in the impressive architecture, great music, good coffee, and abundance of gardens and parks. The latter half of the cruise takes you through the rest of Austria, visits a monastery, and finally ports at Passau – one of Germany’s oldest cities.
Variety Cruises – Jewels of the Cyclades
Cruises can also be a good opportunity to sink your teeth into the feel of an individual country by visiting multiple destinations there. Greece is a treasure trove of paradisiacal islands and locations best viewed from the sea and Variety Cruises provides a smaller ship to do so, all whilst giving you a more intimate experience not found on the bigger cruise lines. Furthermore, being on such a smaller ship creates an easier atmosphere to get to know your fellow shipmates and enjoy inland excursions in tighter-knit groups.
Besides having a name that sounds like an Indiana Jones movie, the Jewels of the Cyclades cruise showcases some of the best islands in Greece. Setting sail from the ancient Greek capital, Athens, it consists of a circular route anchoring at both the better-known islands like Poros or Mykonos, as well as some of the lesser-known gems like Folegandros.
All islands have Greece´s signature white sandy beaches and clear azure waters but still boast their own distinct personalities. One night you might be swimming in an enchanting bay off the isle of Paros, the next enjoying the view over Santorini and the next partying in Mykonos. The cruise fittingly ends by arriving in Athens, alongside the temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea, bidding you adieu and – most likely – planning your next cruise.
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