Cruise in Europe

[El Jefe]

Somehow or another I accidentally posted this thread in the picture thread, I have no clue how I messed that up. Anyways, I am looking for any recommendations that anyone has for a cruise in Europe. I really have no preferences going in, as I have never done a cruise nor anything in Europe. I have gone to Mexico twice, the Dominican twice and Haiti (not vacation). It will be myself, my wife and a 2 1/2 year old. If you have done it, who did you use, what stops did you have, and anything you would recommend would be fantastic.

[sd4chiefs]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

I went on a river cruise on the Danube through Bavaria, starting in Nuremburg, through Regensburg, then Passau, Krems, then Vienna and ending in Budapest.


It was life changingly perfect.

My Wife and I are doing this next September in the reverse order.

[sd4chiefs]

My Wife and I did a Scandinavia & Russia Cruise with Celebrity Cruises a couple of years ago. It was wonderful. We start in Stockholm then Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam.

[Rain Man]

Go over in late October, and instead of flying back, take a repositioning cruise back. Repositioning cruises are excellent if you just like quiet relaxing time and they're really cheap, pretty comparable to flying if you get an inside cabin. Here's a good one: http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=21984

[Canofbier]

why leave the beautiful us of a when you could go next door to wonderful branson missouruh!! took my grandkids there 15 times already they love it

[DaKCMan AP]

If you want to see Europe, go spend time in Europe. Don't waste your time on a cruise ship. Sure, you'll go on excursions or see some highlights at each port. But you won't experience the culture, nightlife, or truly explore a city.

[Bearcat]

Used Royal Caribbean, Navigator of the Seas.... Rome -> Sicily -> Athens -> Turkey -> Crete. I never would have otherwise hit all of those spots in a trip, plus we took a side trip to Naples and Pompeii.

I recommend paying for a balcony room, especially if you don't like people.... a lot of people will say you spend so much time outside of your room, it's not worth it. I spent a fair amount of time wandering the ship and going to some of the shows and what not, but spending at least a couple hours a day on the quiet balcony vs a crowded pool was totally worth it, especially on the couple days there wasn't a stop.

Don't simply spend $200 on the excursions of your choice... some people spent $200 to get on a tour bus, see the Acropolis, and get dropped off at some tourist trap. We got off the ship as soon as we could, spent like $5 for a train ride to the Acropolis, and basically had the place to ourselves. All the tour buses showed up as we were leaving. Do your research, it's once again a good option if you want to go on a cruise but don't particularly want to spend your entire vacation with 3000 other people.

Don't make it all about the cruise... get there a day or two early, or leave a day or two later, especially if you don't see yourself going back any time soon. There were a few people who flew into another city and took a train to Rome... we flew into Rome but took our own trip to Naples/Pompeii the day before the ship left.

[Schnitzel]

Originally Posted by El Jefe

Somehow or another I accidentally posted this thread in the picture thread, I have no clue how I messed that up. Anyways, I am looking for any recommendations that anyone has for a cruise in Europe. I really have no preferences going in, as I have never done a cruise nor anything in Europe. I have gone to Mexico twice, the Dominican twice and Haiti (not vacation). It will be myself, my wife and a 2 1/2 year old. If you have done it, who did you use, what stops did you have, and anything you would recommend would be fantastic.

Coming from a European: There are so many options (Norwegian fjords, mediterranean, river cruise), so that it is important to let us know your interests a bit better. Do you want to do a culture trip, or more like a beach holiday? Warmer or cooler temperature? Big cities or small islands?

[Demonpenz]

waste of money

[burt]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

If you want to see Europe, go spend time in Europe. Don't waste your time on a cruise ship. Sure, you'll go on excursions or see some highlights at each port. But you won't experience the culture, nightlife, or truly explore a city.

Agree....sort of. I enjoy the flavor of a city, but also enjoy the cruise experience!

[burt]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

waste of money

Agree to disagree.... I am "living my life with passion"! I am collecting experiences!