Now is a good time to start thinking about your plans for the summer.  If you are looking for vacation ideas, you might want to consider taking a European cruise this summer.  Now is the time to start making plans so you can book a leisurely cruise on the ship you prefer.  By booking early, you will have a better chance of taking your cruise on the date you want and may even get the exact cabin you want.

When you are planning a European cruise, most people agree that it’s better to focus on what’s going on ashore, rather than what’s happening on the ship.  However, if you are planning to cruise the Caribbean, you will be spending many days at sea and may want to take a close look at the ship and the entertainment, facilities, and activity options.  Basically, if you will be spending a lot of time exploring a variety of ports of call, the ship doesn’t matter too much, but if you will spend most of your time aboard the ship, the amenities make a difference.

There are basically three important criteria to consider when choosing a ship for your European cruise vacation.  These considerations are itinerary, dress policy, and time spent in port.

When you are comparing boats, you should consider how long you will stay at each port.  You should find a cruise that allows plenty of time for sight seeing.  Think about it, will you be likely to visit Florence or Rome any time in the near future?   If you are taking a cruise of the Baltic Sea, two excellent port cities to visit are Stockholm and St. Petersburg.  If possible, find a cruise ship that stays in port in these cities for three days rather than two.  There is so much to do that you’ll be happy to have three days to explore.

When you start comparing European cruise vacations, you will find that more of the lines are reducing the number of nights that formal attire is required.  If you would rather dress casually aboard the cruise ship, take some time to check each ship’s dress code.

If you are taking a cruise that visits a large number of ports along the way, you might not want to spend the extra money on a balcony cabin.  You won’t spend much time on a balcony if you’re out exploring the port cities every day.

By following this short guide, you will be able to find the perfect ship for your European cruise vacation.  Remember, now is the time to start making your summer plans.

Filed under: Summer Cruises

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!