When I use the phrase "Best European Cruise" I am not referring to the very best vacation money can buy, but rather the greatest amount of luxury and adventure to be found without slipping the restraints of your budget. As much as we'd like to be able to ignore our accountants and max out our credit cards it is an unrealistic dream, particularly in these difficult financial times. That being said, there is nothing stopping you from finding the best European cruise deal you can with the money you have available to you. Here are a few tips to going about that:
1 - Determine which ports of call you would like to visit.
Though the bulk of your time will be spent aboard the ship the highlights of your trip will be the time you spend visiting Europe's amazing historic cities. If you've always wanted to see Rome, or Athens, or Barcelona then you need to plan your itinerary around one or many such destinations. Visiting the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter's Basilica in Rome might bring you more joy than the rest of your journey combined, so you really need to focus in one this one aspect of your cruise planning more than any other. Don't just concentrate on the cities in the Mediterranean basin. You can also enjoy wonderful cruises in the Baltic, Black or Caspian Seas. European river cruises are also immensely popular and are a fabulous way to explore inland Europe.
2 - Decide how long you want to be at sea.
A European cruise can vary widely in length from a quick 5 day trip to a voyages that last nearly a month. Obviously the longer the cruise the more money you can expect to pay. This is an important consideration in planning your trip. You don't want to come halfway around the world just to turn around and head home a day after finally getting over your jet lag. On the other hand you don't want to have to sell all your worldly possessions in order to finance your vacation. Find a compromise that will make the long journey worthwhile without leaving you in the poor house. If no such compromise exists then you might want to consider holding off and taking the trip at a later date.
3 - Figure out what luxuries and amenities you want aboard ship.
As I mentioned above the highlight of your trip will be the amazing cities you'll visit, but don't forget that much of your time will still be spent aboard ship. You want there to be enough to see and do to keep you from growing bored on your cruise. Find out what kind of entertainment each cruise line offers, what other amenities such as pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, climbing walls etc. can be enjoyed, and what the dining experience will be like. Depending on the level of luxury the price can fluctuate significantly.
Ultimately choosing the best European cruise is in your hands. By following these simple steps you should be able to plan a cruise vacation that you will remember for a lifetime without putting undue financial stress upon yourself and your family.
1 - Determine which ports of call you would like to visit.
Though the bulk of your time will be spent aboard the ship the highlights of your trip will be the time you spend visiting Europe's amazing historic cities. If you've always wanted to see Rome, or Athens, or Barcelona then you need to plan your itinerary around one or many such destinations. Visiting the Sistine Chapel or St. Peter's Basilica in Rome might bring you more joy than the rest of your journey combined, so you really need to focus in one this one aspect of your cruise planning more than any other. Don't just concentrate on the cities in the Mediterranean basin. You can also enjoy wonderful cruises in the Baltic, Black or Caspian Seas. European river cruises are also immensely popular and are a fabulous way to explore inland Europe.
2 - Decide how long you want to be at sea.
A European cruise can vary widely in length from a quick 5 day trip to a voyages that last nearly a month. Obviously the longer the cruise the more money you can expect to pay. This is an important consideration in planning your trip. You don't want to come halfway around the world just to turn around and head home a day after finally getting over your jet lag. On the other hand you don't want to have to sell all your worldly possessions in order to finance your vacation. Find a compromise that will make the long journey worthwhile without leaving you in the poor house. If no such compromise exists then you might want to consider holding off and taking the trip at a later date.
3 - Figure out what luxuries and amenities you want aboard ship.
As I mentioned above the highlight of your trip will be the amazing cities you'll visit, but don't forget that much of your time will still be spent aboard ship. You want there to be enough to see and do to keep you from growing bored on your cruise. Find out what kind of entertainment each cruise line offers, what other amenities such as pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, climbing walls etc. can be enjoyed, and what the dining experience will be like. Depending on the level of luxury the price can fluctuate significantly.
Ultimately choosing the best European cruise is in your hands. By following these simple steps you should be able to plan a cruise vacation that you will remember for a lifetime without putting undue financial stress upon yourself and your family.
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