The continent of Europe is like a puzzle waiting to be solved by you. The nearly 50 nations each offer something different, perhaps a wonderful delicacy or an exciting tale of conquering knights and quirky princesses. The continent is divided into many regions. There is Northern Europe where you’ll find Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark, with their rugged natural landscapes and ultra-modern architecture. The Mediterranean encompasses nations like Spain, Italy and Greece. These countries have wonderful traditions from flamenco dancing to the creation of pizza, not to mention the beautiful beaches along the coast line. Western Europe offers travelers some of the cultural highlights of Europe, with cities like Paris, London and Brussels.
Those looking to explore the interior of Europe will enjoy a river cruise on the Rhine or Danube sailing into Central Europe’s capitals like Vienna and Budapest. You can also explore Eastern Europe with sailings visiting the glittering Russian city of St. Petersburg and its famed Hermitage museum. With each trip you’ll assemble another part of the puzzle to get the full picture of this spectacular continent.
Cruises to the Mediterranean offer a chance to explore the history, art and culture of many countries where you'll find everything from centuries-old architecture to bustling streetside cafes. Whether you're seeking total escape or destination immmersion, there’s a Mediterranean cruise for you.
[Learn more about Mediterranean Cruises]
Northern Europe has some of the most amazing landscapes in the world, from Norway’s majestic fjords to Finland’s famous glacial lakes. With a Northern European cruise, you can visit these sights, learn the history and experience the varied cultures of these proud European nations.
[Learn more about Northern Europe Cruises]
Explore the heartland of Europe with a river cruise through the continent's major waterways, including the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Seine and more. You'll sail by rolling vineyards, ancient castles, majestic cliffs and waterfront villages during a completely immersive European vacation experience.
[Learn more about Europe River Cruises]
A river cruise in Russia will take you to big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also to the small towns lining the Volga River where you can really understand the life and culture of Russia. You'll see stunning churches, priceless art, mesmerizing ballets and vibrant markets.
[Learn more about Russia River Cruises]
Things to Do on a Cruise to Europe
Europe may be one of the smallest continents, but it packs a punch with several countries that have had long and famous histories. There are castles, cathedrals and exciting monuments. No matter whether you visit the countries and ports of the Mediterranean, Scandinavia or the cities that line Europe’s famed rivers, you’ll find an interesting piece of history, an incredible site and some food to die for. Featured below are some of the best ways to spend your time cruising through Europe:
- Traipse through the fields of tulips in the Keukenhof Gardens, just outside of Amsterdam. Each March through May their site opens up with more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
- Experience the amazing natural delights of Scandinavia. In the summer time they have extremely long days, where the sun seems to never set. In the winter, head north where you can see the Aurora Borealis on a clear night.
- Live the glamorous life with a trip to the Cote d’Azur and Monaco. Here you can lounge on the beach or get dressed to the nines for an evening of gambling at the famous Monte Carlo Casino.
- Discover great artwork at sites like the Louvre and the Sistine Chapel. Works include masterpieces by the great European artists Van Gogh, Monet, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Da Vinci, among many others.
- Spend a romantic evening on a gondola ride under the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice, a magical city where boats replace cars.
- In England you can spend a full day at the Tower of London, a complex of buildings that houses the royal armory and the royal jewels. This is also the spot where King Henry VIII had his wives beheaded, and where the eventual Queen Elizabeth was imprisoned.
Map of Europe: