| Do you want to tour Europe's coastline but feel | | | | hours but remember you have an early start the |
| exhausted about the daunting task of packing and | | | | next day. |
| unpacking many times? The perfect solution is to | | | | If there are a couple of days where you are not in |
| take a cruise along Europe's coastline. There are | | | | port the cruise ship will provide plenty of activities |
| numerous cruises offered for the Mediterranean, the | | | | that you can join. They have art auctions, trivia, |
| North Sea, the Baltic and other coastlines of Europe. | | | | bridge, lectures, fitness classes and much more. And |
| The cruise ships that ply those waters can range | | | | don't forget the spa. Make your spa appointments |
| from 100 to 3000 passengers. All of the newer ships | | | | early since the sea days tend to be booked solid. |
| cruising Europe's coastline, while very large, offer | | | | So if you have decided to cruise the coasts of |
| more amenities, like private balconies. All of the cruise | | | | Europe you need to consider a few things. |
| ships will have pools, spas and entertainment. | | | | There are many destinations to choose from with |
| There are alternative ways to cruise Europe. You | | | | the Mediterranean being the most popular. But you |
| could for instance take a river cruise on the Danube | | | | can opt to do the Baltic, Scandinavia or the British |
| or perhaps the Rhine. These luxurious cruise ships will | | | | Isles. |
| gently ply the rivers passing beautiful scenery. They | | | | Now you have to pick a cruise line that sails in to |
| will stop at many ports so the passengers can get | | | | your chosen itinerary. Some of the cruise lines, like |
| off and explore. These cruise ships are not tall like | | | | Radisson, SilverSea, and Windstar are small and |
| other cruise ships because they are designed to fit | | | | intimate. These cruise lines emphasis luxury and |
| under the many bridges that span the rivers. They | | | | service. The other main stream cruise lines, Princess, |
| do not carry the mega amount of passengers, usually | | | | Celebrity or Holland America, to name a few, carry |
| 50 to 200. | | | | thousands of passengers, from 1500 to 3000. They |
| Another choice would be a barge cruise. Many small | | | | are really floating resorts. Of course the costs should |
| barges have been converted to luxury cruise ships. | | | | be considered too. |
| These ships can maneuver in the smaller rivers and | | | | If you can afford it choose to sail on a luxury cruise |
| canals. Since they carry very few passengers (6-12) | | | | line. Now you have to compare the amenities of each |
| they are a more intimate experience. You will need | | | | luxury cruise line. The cabins on a luxury cruise ship |
| time for cruises such as these. They travel slowly | | | | tend to be the size of a suite on the mega cruise |
| and make overnight stops in small villages. | | | | lines. Check the cruise lines brochure for square |
| Then there is a Yacht cruise which appeals to the | | | | footage. |
| heart of all wanna be yachtsmen. These too are | | | | Find out what is included on the different luxury |
| much smaller and you will experience amore intimate | | | | cruise lines. Some include drinks and wine with dinner. |
| cruise. | | | | Others require no tipping. Some include the airfare. |
| But let's go with the traditional cruise that visits lots | | | | These are all things to consider when you choosing |
| of ports during the cruise. Since you have invested a | | | | which luxury cruise line to sail on. Spa and beauty |
| lot of time and money to get to Europe you will | | | | treatments will always be paid for by you. In some |
| want to choose a cruise that visits lots of ports in | | | | cases the tours are included and in other they are |
| many countries. Go for a 12 to 14 day itinerary | | | | not. Do your homework to get the best deal. |
| visiting countries that interest you. Review the tours | | | | Talk to an experienced cruise travel agent. They will |
| offered before you leave so you know which ones | | | | help you get all the information you need. Many times |
| you want to book when you arrive at your cruise | | | | by booking early you can see substantial savings. You |
| ship. Usually the cruise ship will stop in a port during | | | | can save a little money if you have frequent flyer |
| the day traveling to the next port during the night. | | | | miles, so request a cruise only fare. Most of the |
| Occasionally, a ship will overnight in a port giving you | | | | luxury cruise lines will not allow you to book a cruise |
| more time to tour. | | | | except through a travel agent. |
| A typical day aboard a cruise ship in Europe starts | | | | On a European cruise be aware that you will not |
| with breakfast being delivered to your room and | | | | have time to do any in-depth studies of the ports |
| placed on your balcony so you can watch as you | | | | you visit. You will get a "taste" of each port that will |
| gently glide into port. If you don't have anything | | | | whet your appetite to visit the destination again at |
| planned for that day go the restaurant deck and | | | | another time and stay longer. You may want to |
| enjoy a hearty meal. | | | | choose a cruise line that overnights in a port or you |
| If you have a tour booked, head for the meeting | | | | could buy one of their pr or post packages in a port |
| area that has been designated by the cruise line. In | | | | of call. |
| most cases the tours are four to five hours long | | | | Go check out what cruising Europe's coastline has to |
| giving you the rest of the day to explore more fully. | | | | offer. A cruise may be just right for you because it is |
| If you have planned it right you can do your tour, | | | | a cross between a resort vacation and a holiday in |
| then return to the ship for lunch, then go out in the | | | | Europe. |
| afternoon to hit the spots you have chosen to see. | | | | Happy Cruising! |
| Most cruise lines set sail for the next port in the early | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved. |
| evening around 5 or 6 o'clock. After you have | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your website |
| watched the sail away, you have time to get cleaned | | | | and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, |
| up, have a drink and then have a leisurely dinner. | | | | copyright notice, links and the resource box are |
| There is always entertainment after dinner to enjoy. | | | | unchanged. |
| The casino and the bars will be opened to the late | | | | |