The Perfect European Escape

Depending on your taste, there is a cruise out there for you. The wonderful thing about a cruise, in contrast to just taking trains across Europe, is that your hotel goes with you everywhere you go. There are no worries about finding a place to stay. Even if you choose to just stay on the ship, there are plenty of activities for anyone to enjoy.  Every European cruise ship is its own private paradise and amenities will differ from ship to ship. During the planning stage of the trip it is important to ask yourself, what type of experience do I want to have? Rock climbing and a pool with a bar on the deck? Whatever your fancy each European cruise has limitless options for recreation, entertainment and dining.

Waiting for Your Ship Arrive

The check-in process is relatively painless. You should be prepared to go through customs and present proper identification before boarding the ship. After going through customs, you will be guided or shown to your room. Some cruises have stewards that will show you to your room, while others will have attendants stationed all over the ship during the boarding process to help all or the new sailors get to their rooms.

If you are lucky enough to have a steward, that steward will be your guide for the entire trip. It is important, when you first get to your room, to review all the written information about the ship. Safety regulations, deck maps, and guides showing what activities are going on will be provided.

What To Do

One of your best sources for activities while on the cruise will be the daily bulletin. This will be delivered to your room daily and will include all activities for that particular day. This includes on deck activities, the menu for dining, what the port of call for the day is and what there is to do when you arrive. Your European cruise will offer you non-stop action, or if you prefer, you can always lounge by the pool. Several of the newer cruise lines offer a “wave pool” or even wading pools with real sand!

The European cruise really gives a person the chance to create the paradise that they want. With all the activities that are offered, it might be ideal to just visit the on board luxurious spa. Some cruise lines offer indoor golfing to improve your swing.

Usually, the larger the ship, the larger the crowd. The way to beat the crowd, is to review all of the ship’s entertainment material and sign up for as many activities as possible on the first day. Get your assigned dining times, sign up for classes or watch a first-run movie at the onboard theater. It is essential that you sign up for these activities early on.

Dining Options

Will there be food on my European cruise? You bet there will be! Not only is the cuisine on European cruises world class quality, there is a lot of it. Due to the size of the ship, and the number of passengers, there are multiple dining times on different parts of the ship. So there is ample opportunity to eat some of the best dishes in the world. Some of the different types of dining options are the buffets, where you can come dressed however you please. There are also formal dining rooms, and even pizza shops! I challenge anyone to find a part of the ship during any time of the day when they can’t find delicious food.

Most shis have a stable of professional chefs from all over the world. Presentation is key and your dining experience will be nothing short of extraordinary. One of the most amazing experiences is when you are invited to dine with your ships Captain! If you frequent the formal dining rooms, and dress to impress, you could find yourself rubbing elbows with the man in charge.

Dinner is, for the most part, the only formally planned meal. Most meals and snacks are served buffet style, and are open for a two or 3-hour window for passengers to enjoy at their own pace. Don’t think that just because it is late that the kitchen is closed. Well into the evening, there will be the “midnight buffet.” Get a full stomach and then get a good night’s sleep for the next day.

Just be sure to do this early on in the cruise. Your dining time is also pre-arranged, and there is often a formal dress code. Your seating will also be pre-assigned after you are given your dining times. If the formal dining style isn’t your style, then some ships offer a more casual dining ambience, and more and more cruises are adding specialty restaurants. Truly one of the most cherished experiences of any vacation is ordering Room service. Most cruises offer Room service at no additional charge.

Heading Home

Unfortunately, at some point you will have to return home. Your European cruise can’t last forever. When you return to your original port, and depart the ship, you will again have to go through customs. At this point you will also have to settle your bill for incidentals with the ship. You can also tip your steward, maitre d’ and wait staff and any other crew you would like to show your appreciation. Usually a generous tip is between $10 and $12 per day for your steward, maitre d’ and head waiter.

Things to Consider

The most important thing to remember in planning your cruise is, YOU are in charge. Make this the trip of YOUR dreams, and plan exactly what you want. Here are a few things to help in your planning. Consider the following:

1. Destination – Where Would You Like to Go?

There is an old wise saying, “A man without a destination is just a wanderer.” So the first thing to decide is the destination. European cruises focus on one region of Europe per cruise. For example, you might choose a Baltic Sea cruise, with stops in Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. Or, if island hopping in the Mediterranean is more your cup of tea, then book a roundtrip cruise from Rome, with multiple stops in Greece, Italy, and stops in Turkey and Croatia. Perhaps your ideal cruise takes place in Norway, as you tour the majestic ice glaciers.

2. Size of the Ship – Large Crowd or Intimately Small?

Your experience will be different on a small to medium size cruise ship, versus a larger cruise liner. The ports that you will be able to visit diminish with the larger ships. Whilst the smaller to medium type cruise ships can offer locations that the bigger ships just can’t. The average large cruise ships can carry approximately 2500 or more passengers, kind of like a traveling resort. The larger ships have bigger activities like onboard shopping centers and movie theaters.

If you prefer a more intimate interaction with other sailors on your cruise then a small to medium size cruise ship might be for you. Smaller cruise ships are able to visit most of the European ports, and the shore excursions are often free. The atmosphere is relaxed and the meals are generally informal, although there are luxury cruises on smaller ships. Alternative sailing ships offer activities geared toward the adventurer, and intimate surroundings offer opportunities to forge new friendships with other passengers. The ride on a smaller cruise ship can get a little bumpy, so if you are prone to motion sickness, a small ship is not the ideal cruise for you. Small European cruise ships lack the stabilizers present on the larger ships.

3. Activities – What Would You Like to Do?
Would you like a very active cruise where there is always something to do? The kind where you finish your day by collapsing on your bed with an exhaused smile on your face showing your level of fulfillment at having as many activities as possible packed into your day. Spa treatments, casinos, live entertainment and shopping are all available to you on the mega ships and on many of the mid size ships as well.

Alternatively, for those who want an ideal cruise experience that seems tailored to their specific interests, a themed cruise is the best choice. European cruise companies have added Singles cruises, art and history cruises, and food and wine cruises.

Lastly, if you prefer spending more time off the ship exploring historical sites or enjoying sandy beaches, then the smaller to medium cruises might be able to go to more ports that will offer a less mainstream experience. The large ships still offer plenty of off ship excursions also, so consider what types of adventures you want to go on before choosing what ship you will go on. Find our from the cruise line websites what types of activities they offer.

Check out our guide to Booking Your European Cruise.  Your European Vacation starts here.

Tagged with: •

Filed under: Uncategorized

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