European cruises boast an exciting variety of incredible activities and experiences, all closer to home and available through both no-fly and fly cruises. Whether you want to sample Italian cuisine by the Colosseum, sip sweet wine in Bordeaux, or chase the Northern Lights in Iceland, a cruise through Europe is always memorable.
With so many exciting things to see and do, European cruises have something for everyone thanks to the diverse landscapes, climates, cuisine and activities. Whether you are a first-time cruiser or looking for a family cruise, a solo voyager or an experienced cruise ship traveller, Europe has everything you need for a cruise holiday of a lifetime. What's more, for those wanting to see a little more on their Europe cruise, opt for a cruise and stay holiday where you can spend a little more time exploring.
Thanks to the size of Europe and the different weather you can find throughout the continent, there's no bad time to go on a cruise, it just depends what you're looking for. Due to the school holidays and hot weather, summer is of course a popular time to embark on a Europe cruise and with long daylight hours and almost guaranteed sun, you'll really be able to make the most out of your voyage.
However, the cooler months are also good times to cruise. If you choose to cruise outside of peak season to somewhere like the Canary Islands you'll be able to enjoy the sun with fewer crowds and cheaper fares. Alternatively, winter cruises are popular for those wanting to feel festive and visit Christmas markets or see the Northern Lights on an Iceland cruise.
If you're a wheelchair user, or someone with mobility issues, it's also going to be well-worth checking out the top 5 accessible European cruise ports right here; the time of year isn't going to affect these too much, but it's still worth checking out.
Whether you're a history buff, a sports enthusiast, or prefer to spend your holiday lounging about, a European cruise has everything you need to make your voyage perfect for you. If it's sun, sea and cities that you're looking for, a Mediterranean cruise will treat you to equal measures of warm weather, beautiful coastlines and fun shore excursions. Meanwhile, for those in search of exceptional landscapes and culture-packed trips onshore, Northern Europe cruises won't disappoint.
In addition, if you want to see the paradise of the Adriatic in ultimate style and comfort, check out our bucket-list worthy luxury Croatia Cruises. Or, you can find out more about the top underrated cruise destinations right here, of which the German port of Kiel is definitely one. You'll also find some of the top historical destinations to see during a cruise in Europe, with cities like Lisbon and Rome history-rich and full of interesting places to explore. And, if you're looking for a more curated cultural experience, you'll find some of the top museums to visit on a cruise here, too!
While an ocean cruise is always a popular option, you could also try a Europe river cruise. River cruising is an excellent way to visit the towns and cities of Europe by exploring the continent’s fascinating rivers, while frequent port calls mean you can explore each exciting destination in depth.