Potential travelers often ask me what are the best excursions in Europe, but that question is difficult to answer because Europe is so vast. It covers about 45 countries and includes tourist areas such as the Mediterranean, Baltic and Nordic, British Isles and Canary Islands.
While cruisers are spoiled for choice in this part of the world, it can be difficult to know where to start when researching cruises.
To help you, I’ve narrowed down my favorites to the best excursions to Europe for different types of travelers, including families, couples, and solo travelers.
Note: Prices are correct at time of publication. Fares are subject to change without prior notice and do not include additional fees or port taxes.
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Best European Cruises for Families: Disney Dream
Disney Cruise Line very good for children; If you are planning a trip to Europe with kids, Disney Dream is an affordable option for the best family trip to Europe.
Character meet-and-greets, inspiring nighttime entertainment and a fun dining experience mean your kids will never get bored. The ship’s stellar kids’ clubs go above and beyond with an resemblance to Andy’s room in “Toy Story” and a replica of the Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars” ( with visits from R2-D2 and a detachment of stormtroopers).
Disney Dream isn’t the newest ship in the line, which means it’s a bit more manageable in terms of both size and price. It’s also not the oldest, so families will find more to do on board than on the line’s smallest ships.
Ashore, Disney’s family-friendly excursions will take you to lounge on the beach, explore museums, and learn about history.
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Disney Dream does three- to 12-night excursions to Northern and Western Europe, the British Isles, and the Mediterranean. Cruise fares start at $308 per person, per night, for an interior cabin with no windows. You can visit ports like Belfast and Liverpool on cruises from Southampton; Florence and Rome (Civitavecchia) on the Barcelona trip; and Reykjavik, Copenhagen and Lisbon on the open cruise.
Related: The best cruise lines for families
Best European cruises for couples: Viking Star
If you are a couple looking for an upscale Mediterranean experience that offers real value and a chance to reconnect with your partner, look no further. Viking.
The line’s Viking Star operates various Mediterranean itineraries, and the European ports the ship visits offer plenty of opportunities for you to feel the love. Enjoy a great lunch at a table for two in France, take a pizza making class together in Italy, chuckle a little while tasting wine in Greece or run casino tables together in Greece. Monaco.
Viking includes at least one free shore excursion per port in its ticket price. That means you can wander the romantic cobblestone streets of Europe hand-in-hand with your sweetheart without paying a dime.
While the fare isn’t the cheapest you’ll find, you’ll get a lot for your money. In addition to tours, Viking includes Wi-Fi, gourmet dining, beer and wine with lunch and dinner for its price.
Plus, all of the Viking ship’s cabins have balconies, which is great if you want a breath of fresh air but want to keep it to yourself. Free room service is available 24/7, so you can order dinner in your cabin for a relaxing outdoor dining experience for two.
Want more ways to pamper yourself together? Check out the extraordinary thermostat in spa ship, which offers saunas and steam rooms, tiled loungers and aromatherapy rooms for free. Or, splurge on a couple’s massage, which will leave both of you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Even better, Viking ships do not allow children on board. It’s a great excuse for you and your significant other to spark romance without the other passengers’ children running around.
Viking’s Mediterranean voyages lasted from seven to 21 nights. Return journeys are rarely the same as the Viking Star going around the Med. Ships visit ports such as Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Florence (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Sicily and Venice, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens and Santorini, Greece; and Kusadasi, Türkiye.
Fares start at $381 per person, per night, for rooms with balconies.
Related: 10 of the best cruises for couples looking for romance and time together at sea
Best European cruises for seniors: Seabourn Sojourn
If you’re an elderly traveler who loves good food and fine wine, one of the most luxurious European excursions you can book is a cruise on the Canary Islands. seaportSeabourn stay.
The small ship carries less than 500 passengers and you won’t find loud parties or tons of kids. Instead, you’ll be met with stellar service, delicious food, rooms with views (all cabins have at least one window) and relative peace and quiet. Long journeys are ideal for affluent passengers with plenty of travel time.
Seabourn Sojourn’s trips to the Canaries last from 10 to 28 days and visit the islands of La Palma, Gran Canaria and Madeira, as well as Lisbon, Portugal. Fares start at $434 per person, per night, for a cabin overlooking the ocean. Extras like Wi-Fi, gratuities, and alcohol (including in-room mini bars) are included in the ticket price.
Related: The best cruises for the elderly who love to travel by the sea
Best for solo cruisers: Norwegian Epics
When Norwegian Epic launched in 2010, it introduced Norwegian Cruise LineSolo traveler’s first cabin. Designed with single beds in mind and a bit smaller in size, these so-called studio cabins are centered around a lounge dedicated to singles. Special activities allow solo travelers to mingle and make new friends.
Since Norwegian Epic began sailing, nearly all of the service’s new ships — Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva — have been built with accommodation for one person, without charging the resident a single supplement. However, it is the Norwegian Epic that has a presence in the Western Mediterranean, giving solo cruisers the chance to explore Europe on a ship with a stateroom just for them.
On board, passengers have many choices for activities and meals. In addition to the usual offerings on cruise ships — billiards games, dance parties, game shows, quizzes, and movie screenings — Epic offers a variety of exciting entertainment, including a beach club adults only at the aft of the ship, spa treatments, bowling alleys and even gaming lessons (the latter three are for a fee).
The ship makes 5 to 12 night trips back and forth between Rome and Barcelona, calling at ports including Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Marseille, Cannes and Florence (Livorno). At press time, last-minute fares start at $90 per person, per night, for a studio cabin for one person.
Related: The best cruise lines for solo travelers
Best Party Cruises in Europe: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Woman
If your list of places to visit in Europe includes the Greek Islands, you don’t want to go sailing with kids and you like the lively party atmosphere, then you can’t go wrong with Virgin Trip‘Strong lady. The third ship in the line’s fleet, the Resilient Lady offers some of the best excursions to the Greek Islands.
Expect a casual vibe where passengers dress up like mermaids, crews dress like drag queens, and performers look like real people. Toss in a tattoo parlor on the ship, a food court (its Are not a buffet), free fitness classes, and an app that lets you order champagne wherever you’re on board, and you’ve got a product that has turned the yachting industry upside down.
Wild nights on board include loud and sometimes boisterous theatrical performances, impromptu dance parties, and Scarlet Night, a pool party reminiscent of a rave where people wear red outfit. If that’s not enough, get in on enough of the daily activities, and you might be invited for a nighttime secret tour of the crew bar, including drinks.
The ship offers a regular program of 7, 10, and 14-night trips, starting at $148 per person, per night, for an interior cabin. Itineraries involve a combination of ports in Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Türkiye, depending on the particular trip you choose.
Related: The best adults-only excursions to try if you can’t stand being around kids on vacation
Best European excursions for the ‘wow’ factor: Hurtigruten’s Richard With
Looking for a cruise that no other cruise line offers — one that will make everyone on TikTok and Instagram jealous? I’m putting my money on a line you’ve probably never heard of: damage.
What began more than 130 years ago as a way for Norwegians to move and transport goods up and down the Norwegian coast continues to this day as both a means of transport and a way for ships to patrol. cultural experience of the country.
On the Norwegian Coastal Express, Hurtigruten’s Richard With called at 34 ports in just seven days. Some make quick stops at midnight while the cargo is unloading, but technically you can disembark at each port if you want. That in itself makes this journey remarkable.
Still need convincing? These trips also enter the Arctic Circle and sail into the Geirangerfjord (going north from Bergen to Kirkenes) and the Trollfjord (going south from Kirkenes to Bergen), offering absolutely breathtaking views and of course has the right to brag.
The two routes can be combined into trips over 13 days, meaning you’ll take a round-trip boat from Bergen and see all the fjords. The seven-night journey north from Bergen to Kirkenes starts at $331 per person per night for an inside cabin.
bottom line
Ultimately, the best itinerary to Europe is somewhat subjective in that it depends on where you want to go in Europe and what your travel style is. Be sure to consider a combination of destination, price, and in-flight vibe when deciding what’s best for you and your travel group.
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