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The continent's many well-developed waterways make cruises one of the best ways to visit favorites like Budapest and Paris cruises. Embarking on a Europe cruise in 2023 lets you explore everything the old country has to offer. Europe's diversity and rich history mean you can pack a baker's dozen of cultures and countries into even a short trip. Some river cruises in Europe may even stop at more than 50 cities before the journey is made. Travel within the European Union is remarkably easy and cruise lines take full advantage of that.
The best way to find cheap cruises to Europe from the United States on Expedia is to sort your search results by price, automatically putting the most affordable cruises to Europe from the US at the top of the list. It can also be helpful to be flexible with your travel dates, letting you choose from various options. A common strategy to save money is to book Europe cruises far in advance. Why not book a Europe cruise for 2024?
Some of the best cruise lines to Europe include Viking and MSC cruises to Europe, both of which are famous for luxury offerings like lavish suites and world-famous live entertainment. Many cruise lines offer journeys through the continent, beginning at ports like Paris and traveling throughout Europe to visit countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, and even Greece. The Viking grand tour of Europe cruise takes you through the heart of Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest, and the Cunard Queen Mary 2 offers a wealth of short Europe cruises.
To find Europe cruise deals, look for the green discount indicator text above the price estimate on the search results page. This shows the discount available for any given cruise on offer. You can also sort your options by everything from cabin experience and itinerary to specific ports of call such as Amsterdam or Paris, or longer experiences such as a Danube river cruise to Budapest.
Make sure you check your cruise itinerary details to see if your favorites are included. Whether you choose to travel the Rhine and Danube cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest or float along the French Riviera from Spain to Italy, the best part of a Europe cruise is how many amazing cities you have to choose from. From a 1-night France to Italy cruise, traveling from Marseille to Genoa, or a 2-night Italy to Greece cruise trip to stop by Civitavecchia, Naples, and Piraeus, Europe's got it all.
Europe cruise destinations are as varied as the continent itself, but some of the most popular include the UK, Amsterdam, and the Mediterranean. You can easily fit 50 or more destinations into your European cruise vacation if you book one of the more extended options, such as a 7-day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona. River cruises in Europe are a popular choice, and a 2-day cruise to Marseille or 7-day Portugal river cruise can also allow you to witness stunning riverfront scenery along the continent's storied rivers.
The best times for cruises that go to Europe tend to be the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Spring and autumn prices are generally more affordable during the summer high season, and the weather is mild throughout most of the continent. If you are considering a northern Europe cruise, such as a Norwegian fjord cruise or a cruise on the North Sea, going in the summer can offer that much-needed warmth.
The length of a cruise to Europe varies based on where you depart from and the length of your European cruise vacation, but if you want a 2- or 3-night cruise to Europe, you'll need to leave from somewhere on the continent. 7-day cruises to Europe are also readily available if you want to experience a wider variety of stops, but they mainly depart from Europe as well. For example, a cruise to Barcelona from Genoa will only take about a day at sea, if that. Leaving from the states, such as on a cruise to Europe from Florida, will have you on a cruise that easily lasts more than a month.
You can find a selection of luxury cruise ships, such as Regent and Holland America Line on Expedia. A luxury cruise to Europe offers old-world extravagance, stunning amenities and high-end features, such as spa treatments and 24-hour room service in elegant, multi-room suites. The Zuiderdam ship, for example, lets you enjoy top-tier service, live performances, and even a jazz club on board.
You'll find some of the best all-inclusive cruises to Europe from cruise lines like Celebrity and MSC. For example, you can enjoy specialty restaurants, an onsite casino, and even poolside bars that can be booked in advance on the Celebrity Constellation. A 3-night Europe cruise on the MSC Virtuosa offers a full-service bar staffed by robots, circus-style performances, and even an on-board water park.
A family cruise to Europe is easy to find, especially when you book with cruise lines like Carnival or Disney, where you'll find activities for adults and kids alike to enjoy featuring costumed characters and live entertainment themed around famed Disney properties representing anything from Cinderella to Aladdin or possibly even Star Wars. The Disney Dream, for example, boasts an impressive on-board water coaster, the first of its kind. Once the adults have had their fill of the games, they can retire to the adults-only areas, such as the bar and lounge, while the kids continue with their activities.
It's easy to create honeymoon cruise memories that will last a lifetime with cruise lines like Oceania and Viking. The Viking Lofn, for example, is a relatively small ship, with room for just 190 passengers. It offers sweeping river views and gourmet food for you and your partner in a supremely romantic setting, accompanied by suites of Scandinavian design. A honeymoon cruise to Europe takes you and your partner to some of the most romantic destinations in the world, including iconic hubs of romance such as Paris, Rome, and cozy cabins in the snow-covered Swiss Alps.
To book the best Europe cruises on Expedia, simply use the filters and sorting function to narrow down the array of results to find the perfect cruise for your needs, whether it's a 7-day cruise in the Mediterranean, an Amalfi coast cruise in 2023, or a multi-city excursion along inland rivers. Once you've found the right cruise, you can book directly from Expedia after clicking the entry on your search results page. Keep an eye out for discounts marked with green text.
American citizens need a passport for a Europe cruise, especially since a lot of the most commonly booked cruises in Europe require you to fly there first. Considering the distance, a closed-loop cruise to Europe generally isn't available. If your cruise ship visits multiple countries, be sure to check the regulations for each one and secure your passport well in advance of your travels.
To cancel your cruise tickets to Europe, go to the My Trips page of your Expedia account. Before this, check the cruise line information page for the service you booked. Many cruise lines charge cancellation fees or may only offer partial refunds and checking in advance can save you unpleasant surprises. The refund amount typically depends on how far in advance you cancel your cruise to Europe.
When you book a Europe cruise in 2023 with Expedia, you'll have access to a wide range of cruise lines and ships to choose from that let you customize your experience. It's easy to see which cruises to Europe are offering discounts by looking for the green text in the search results. Expedia Rewards members may even earn points on eligible bookings, so sign up for free today if you haven't already.
Europe is a land of breathtaking beauty, cultural charm, fine dining, and rich history. In just one European cruise, you can experience Nordic hospitality in Oslo, stroll around the Colosseum in Rome or take a shore excursion to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.
This beautiful continent is surrounded by water on its three sides which gives the cruisers incredible opportunities to choose an itinerary that best suits their dream vacation. Your Europe cruise can depart from Barcelona, Copenhagen, Southampton, Le Havre, Hamburg and many other European ports.
With so much to see and do, cruise lines often separate their European itineraries by regions:
There’s no better way to explore Northern Europe than with a Baltic cruise. Drift through the awe-inspiring fjords of Norway, wander around the fairytale town of Tallinn in Estonia or admire the architecture of St. Petersburg’s canals.
Cruises to the Baltic and Scandinavia are largely limited to the sunny summer months of July and August.
The Mediterranean is probably one of the most popular regions in Europe. You can choose to explore the Western Mediterranean by pulling into port in Barcelona or Civitavecchia, taking you to the south of France and Spain. The Eastern Mediterranean may take you to the ancient ruins of Athens, the charming towns of Montenegro and the atmospheric islands of the Cyclades.
Many cruise lines offer itineraries of 7- 10 days or longer, but for those seeking a shorter vacation, MSC and Costa also offer 3-4- or 5-day cruises.
Don’t forget that the glorious, green British Isles also welcome cruise liners throughout the year. Sail past medieval castles, charming coastal towns and spectacular highland vistas. Your Europe cruise could also take you to majestic Iceland, where days ashore promise the chance to glimpse breathtaking waterfalls and dramatic volcanoes.
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