European Cruise Advisor

An Eastern Mediterranean Cruise is your one way ticket to what could be some of the most memorable trips to some wonderful countries like Greece, the Greek Islands, Croatia, Turkey and Italy. Many of the most popular cruises lines offer itineraries that operate in the eastern Mediterranean. They include Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, MSC, Princess and Silversea cruise lines. With new destinations being offered all the time from the major cruise lines new ports of call are constantly opening up meaning that there is always something new to see, even if you have cruised to these destinations before.

Its probably worthwhile mentioning that most of the eastern Mediterranean cruises usually start or end in Italy, most usually with the cities of Rome or Venice. Bearing this in mind, many people might like to extend their vacation by a few days at the end of the cruise so that they can spend some extra time exploring these places.

Most of the cruise lines can set up packages that involve hotels that can be all-inclusive if you so choose. Once you are staying put on land, you will then get a chance to enjoy the Gondola rides in Venice on the Venetian canals, or if you were to stay in Rome, make sure you visit the Colosseum as well as take a guided tour of the Vatican City.

If you are taking a eastern Mediterranean cruise, then you simply must make sure you visit the Greek islands, in particular the island of Rhodes is well worth a trip, especially because you will get the see the old Rhodes town with the splendidly massive gates that were built to defend the town from invaders. Some of the other Greek Islands that may be part of your European cruise itinerary are Patmos and Santorini. Cyprus and Crete are two nearby island ports of call they your cruise may take in.

Croatia is a common destination for many European cruises that are targeted to the eastern Mediterranean, Croatia’s main port of call is Dubrovnik. It has been completely restored from the damage caused by war in the early 1990s. Dubrovnik is a wonderful seaside town with stone houses, magnificent medieval architecture and a quaint Old Town. If you are travelling on a smaller and alternative ship you may stop in the towns of Trogir, Hvar and Korcula.+

Every European country has its own fascinations with differing cultures, histories and languages on offer. In fact the one thing that they all have in common is of course history. When you take a European cruise you can have the chance to visit a few of these interesting European destinations and it has to be said that a European cruise, especially a river cruise, can provide you with ample opportunity to explore this continent. If you are looking for a famous sea for a cruise then you will have to make sure that you include the Mediterranean Sea.

Not only an interesting experience, but purporting a veritable cocophany of sights, it hardly gets better than a trip to Europe. If you want to take it easy and relax, you most certainly will be able to achieve this, as the slower pace of living is what practically most European countries are about and as a consequence so you will be able to relax too. Of course cruising in itself is also relaxing, so how can you do anything else but enjoy yourself!

Indeed, the Western Mediterranean is one of the most famous cruise destinations, where passengers can take in the magnificence of France, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Malta and Greece, to name but a few. Why not try and visit between May and September so you might get the best possible weather and also, make sure your cruise takes you to the Greek Islands.

Europe provides for the most interesting vacation experience you might ever have, but if the sunny Mediterranean doesn’t particularly impress you, why not consider a cruise in the beauty of the Baltic? This is an very well known and popular destination for a European cruise.

The Baltic is very unique meaning that the countries you visit are also. St. Petersburg in Russia is probably one of the most exotic and well known destinations on the Baltic sea is most likely, where you can visit the world renowned Hermitage Museum, this museum houses some of the best artwork found anywhere in the world. Also why try Denmark a more Northern country. This is also a popular cruise destination and the City of Copenhagen in particular is very worthwhile visiting.

All in all, Europe is a cruise destination the has lots to offer, many many sights to see and finally something that everyone should try at least once for a vacation destination.

European Cruises Advisor provides a website resource where you can find informative and reliable articles about European cruises, whether you are interested in European Cruises for 2010, how to go about getting value for money discount cruises or just European cruises in general.

Given how well the European Cruise market has held up in 2009, even with the recent credit crunch, it probably well worth your while to start looking into cruises scheduled for the summer of 2010, that’s if you want to make sure that you get the date, cabins and ships of you choice before all the best bargains are snapped up.

If you’ve previously this summer, been cruising the Caribbean, then choosing a ship for European waters is a whole different kettle of fish!

On a European cruise, you will find that spending time aboard ship is not one of the main activities, its the shore excursions that count. This is totally different from a Caribbean cruise experience. For example, if you have been on the atypical Caribbean cruise you will remember that you will have spent far more days at sea, so therefore the crux of you enjoyment aboard ship is what facilities and entertainments it has to offer. This differs somewhat to the European Cruise where passengers can expect to spend much less time at sea and more time travelling and touring the ports of call.

This, of course means that the criteria for picking the ideal European cruise, in my opinion should be as follows; The Itinerary, Your stay in Port and finally the expected Dress Code.

When it comes to ships, try and compare the length of time that each will be docked at port, especially if you are visiting a destinations that’s got lots too see and do, for example Venice in Italy. That way you will make the most of the time you have ashore.

Check the dress code of the ships you are looking at too, make sure that you don’t end up packing loads of formal wear and suites when the expected attire is casual, equally the opposite is true, if there lots of evening functions you will need to have enough suitable outfits for the entire cruise.

Another good tip is to not bother with getting a cabin with a sea view, since most of your travelling is overnight and you spend each day in port, there’s not much point really. Much better to save some money and get and internal cabin leaving more money to spend on the critical shore excursions and day tours. After all there not alot of point having a room with a view that you are not spending a great deal of time in.

If you are looking for casual dining options then Norwegian cruise line, Princess and Oceania are you best bets, this is a great option if you intend to spend all your time out and about each day, after all who wants to get dressed up every night when your all worn out for having some much fun exploring those European destinations!