Cruise ships off Santorini.
There are three main types of European cruises, and each offers travelers a very different experience. So if you’re considering one, you should understand the plusses and minuses of each kind.
Conventional cruises on ocean-going cruise ships visit the countries that border the Mediterranean, Adriatic, or Baltic Seas. If you want to explore Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece, or Croatia, there’s an ocean cruise for you — on everything from a five-masted clipper ship to a 4,000-passenger city at sea.
They’re the best way to see islands like Malta or Corsica, or destinations that really only require a few hours to explore. If you’ve dreamed of visiting the Greek Isles, Monte Carlo, or Portofino, an ocean cruise is your best bet.
The main advantages of these cruises are that you only have to pack and unpack once, all you really have to do is show up, and since your transportation, meals, and accommodations are paid for, you’ll likely spend less than you would traveling independently.
The downside of ocean cruising in Europe is that many of Europe’s great cities, including, London, Paris, and Florence, aren’t coastal. And even cities like Rome that aren’t far from the sea take a while to reach from the cruise port. Most ships arrive in port in the early morning and depart in the late afternoon, so your time ashore is limited. And you’ll likely spend some time reaching the things you want to see.
For instance, if your ship calls at Le Havre, the port for Paris, you’ll spend several hours just getting back and forth to the city. And you won’t be able to experience Paris at night when it’s the most romantic. But many travelers like the amenities of a big ship and enjoy having dinner in an American-style restaurant and going to shows each night.
European river cruises provide a more in-depth experience.
If you want to see more of Europe and spend more time in European cities and towns, a European river cruise may be a better choice for you. These cruises often dock overnight in places where you simply walk off the boat to enjoy a meal or attend a concert. Even when you’re traveling, the scenery is right in front of you. Many of the cabins have French balconies so you can enjoy the view and the fresh air.
River boats are small and usually carry fewer than 200 passengers. And many include wine with meals and shore excursions in the price. As a rule, river cruises are more expensive than ocean cruises, but you’ll spend a lot more time in Europe.
The most popular river cruises are on the Rhine, the Danube, the Elbe, and the Rhone rivers. They visit interior cities like Budapest, Prague, Basel, and Antwerp. You can also travel through Belgium and the Netherlands during tulip season.
How slow can you go?
View from a European river cruise.
Barge cruises are another option for those who want to really get to know a region such as Burgundy or the Loire Valley. Barges carry as few as four guests or as many as twenty. And food and wine are a big part of the appeal. Most voyages include several local wines and cheeses with each meal. And the chef often shops the local markets for ingredients.
You’ll know all your fellow passengers and all the crew after the first day or so, which depending on your disposition can be good or bad. Staterooms are comfortable, but on the small size.
Most barge cruises are six nights and start on Saturday. There are shore excursions each day, but also plenty of time for relaxing. The barges travel so slowly that you can walk or bike along the tow path by the side of the canal and do some sightseeing on your own. The towns along the way are smaller and have fewer tourists, so you’ll make friends more easily.
For a special occasion, you can charter the whole barge — but it’s quite expensive.
If you like to have all the comforts of home, enjoy nightlife, and don’t mind crowds, an ocean cruise offers the best value for money. If experiencing as much of Europe as you can is your top priority, choose a European river cruise. And if you’ve been to Europe before and want a leisurely week savoring a region’s cuisine and unique culture, splurge on a barge cruise.
Cruise ships off Santorini Image Flickr: Abeeeer
View from a European river cruise Image Flickr: Her Own Journey
