American Cruise Lines

Cruises From America

One advantage of taking an American Cruise Line is that the experience, your surroundings, and the overall “feel” of the cruise will be typically “American”.  Premium American cruise lines offer the best that there is to offer if you seek to have a fantastic European cruise experience.  They strive to provide their sailors with the very best in service, dining, accommodations and the best entertainment activities.  Typically the experience can be likened to a resort-like experience, and travelers on the American will enjoy all the comforts of home and enjoy activities directed toward the “American Experience”.

Mass-Market Cruises
Carnival Cruise Lines
http://www.carnival.com/

With ships that hold up to 3,700 passengers and an almost endless list of entertainment opportunities the Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom are sailing the high sees and providing top notch European tours.  These two ships, by far, have become some of the most popular mass-market American cruises offered.  Carnival is famous for it’s costumed musical revues, two-dozen bars and an onboard casino. American cruise lines are like going to Las Vegas. European cruise itineraries include destinations in the Mediterranean as well as a transatlantic voyage.

Norwegian Cruise Line
http://www.ncl.com/

For those where budget is not necessarily a problem, or maybe not that much of a concern, then a European cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line might be perfect.   Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Dream is their veteran ship, and the Norwegian Jewel is a newer ship. Some options on Norwegian Cruise Lines include Freestyle Cruising, which includes a casual dress code, a variety of dining options; and one signature feature of Norwegian Cruise Lines, they allow passengers to stay in their rooms during the last day of the cruise until it is time to disembark. Smaller in size in comparison to the Carnival Ships, the Norwegian Dream holds nearly 1,800 passengers, while the Norwegian Jewel has a capacity of almost 2,400. European cruise itineraries include destinations in the Mediterranean and the Baltic capitals.

Royal Caribbean International
http://www.royalcaribbean.com
The Sovereign of the Seas launched all the way back in 1988 and Royal Caribbean International set the standard for mega cruise ships. Through the years, Royal Caribbean’s number one source of competition has been Carnival Cruises, and even some other smaller lines have taken some of their market share.  Through it all, Royal Caribbean has remained one of the most popular and highest rated cruise lines.  Royal Caribbean focused its efforts on providing the best entertainment and activities on the high seas.  They tried to appeal to the young 20’s crowd when they added a  rock-climbing wall on board! Royal Caribbean has six different ships cruising Europe.  The Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the seas boast being able to hold up to 3,114 passengers. They also offer a slightly smaller ship, although it is still large enough for the status of mega ship, then look into sailing on the Brilliance of the Seas or the Jewel of the Seas.  Both of these ships have a smaller overall capacity of 2,501 passengers. Lastly, the smallest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet are the Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas, carrying 2,076 passengers. They offer dozens of Mediterranean and European cruise itineraries, including the Greek Isles and shorter European capital tours.

Premium Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
http://www.celebritycruises.com
Celebrity has several mid-sized ships in its fleet that offer a more intimate and higher end cruise experience than some of the mega ships.  Their European cruise fleet includes the Constellation and the Mellennium.  Both ships have a capacity of 2,000 passengers.  Their smaller ships are the Century and the Galaxy with a capacity of around 1,800.  Delicious food, including extended on shour excursions visiting the best in local cuisine, is what Celebrity is known for.  They also offer deluxe spa services, staterooms that are more comfortable than most American cruise lines, not to mention that the service is impeccable. Celebrity is one of the more affordable high end premium cruise lines.  Celebrity offers dozens of cruise itineraries in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Celebrity also offers special Cruisetours, which include an extended land tour completely guided by an expert in the area’s history, art, architecture and culture.

Holland America Line
http://www.hollandamerica.com
Holland America Line is based in Europe, but offers cruises all over the world and is one of the highest-rated premium American cruise lines.  This understated, elegant cruise experience is augmented by improved entertainment and more activity choices, provided by Holland America’s parent company Carnival Cruise Lines. Known for being a very laid back cruising experience, aboard a Holland America ship you;ll find an emphasis on tradition and opportunities to learn about European art, history and culture through various lecture series. Holland America offers 27 unique itineraries aboard one of five ships. Their largest ship, the Noordam, carries 1,918 passengers; the Rotterdam, Maasdam, and the Amsterdam have a capacity of around 1,300 passengers; and the intimate Prinsendam, carrying around 800 passengers, is known for its 50 to 100 day long cruises to exotic destinations. European cruise itineraries include destinations in the Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe, as well as transatlantic voyages.

Oceania
http://www.oceaniacruises.com
Maybe you work long hard hours and are looking to go on a cruise with a focus on winding down and just relaxing.  Oceania European cruises offer serene, comfortable surroundings and a focus on decompressing rather than exciting nightlife and physical activities. Each of Oceania’s cruise ships offer the most intimate of settings with less than 700 passengers.  They also offer longer cruises around Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles aboard the Regatta, Insignia and Nautica.

Orient Lines
http://www.orientlines.com
With only one ship cruising Europe, the Marco Polo, Orient Lines has created a European cruise that is inspired by cruising in the last century. They offer grand tours of Europe where Americans can  embark on a cruise for at least a month. The Marco Polo has a capacitiy of approximately 800 passengers.  Orient offers itineraries of Europe and the Mediterranean on 17- to 36-Day itineraries. Orient Lines is owned by Star Cruises, and known for the excellent service, and they pride themselves on their guided land CruiseTours.

Princess Cruises
http://www.princess.com
Now also owned by Carnival, Princess Cruises garnered fame thanks to the popular 1970s TV show, “The Love Boat.” Princess Cruises passengers enjoy 24-hour “personal choice” dining, guided land Cruisetours and an abundance of staterooms with balconies. There ships have a range of sizes from 1,950 all the way to 2,600 Golden Princess.  They offer activities that you would find on many of the American mass-market tours.  You can choose from dozens of itineraries in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Scandinavia and Russia, the British Isles and Northern Europe; and transatlantic tours.