The Canary Islands

Several of the cruise lines mentioned on this site offer breathtaking onshore excursions to the three Canary Islands.

Costa and PTO cruises offer itineraries that included the three bigger islands of La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The smaller islands are not accessible by the larger cruise ships.

Right in the middle of Africa and Spain, just write off the coast, the Canary Islands offer plenty of Spanish and African culture. Sleepy little towns, right in the center of beautiful architecture. The Canary Islands offer a stunning experience for all who walk on its pristine beaches. essible by cruise ship, it’s just a matter of finding a cruise line with one of them on their European cruise itinerary.

Eastern Mediterranean Cruises
Greek islands anyone? Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey are just a few ports available on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise. The majority of Eastern Mediterranean cruises begin and end in Italy, in Venice or Rome. It is recommended that you schedule a few extra days to see Rome while you are there. Plenty of history to see! Onshore adventures on a cruise that stops at Rome or most likely include a trip to the Coliseum or a tool are a Vatican City. Depending on the cruise line, there are additional cruises to Sardinia along Italy’s Emerald Coast and to Naples to get a glimpse of Mount Vesuvius.

Common stops on a Western European cruise our Athens, to see the Acropolis, Corfu, and Katakolon. Also, it is understated to speak of just how beautiful the Greek islands are, and an eastern European cruise would not be complete without it. Rhodes, to visit Rhodes Old Town, or the palace of the Grand Masters. If sandy white beaches are your ideal, then you must stop in Mykonos. Other islands that may be on your tour are Santorini, Crete, and Cyprus.

To last stops that are worth the effort are Istanbul, Turkey and Dubrovnik in Croatia. Dubrovnik has no signs of damage from the war in the 1990’s, it has been completely restored and Turkey, Istanbul specifically, is a must see.

Black Sea Cruises
Black sea cruises include ports in Yalta, Odessa in the Ukraine, and in Nessebur, Bulgaria.  Journey to another time and eperience history first hand.

Celebrity, Costa, Crystal, MSC, Oceania, Princess, Sea Cloud, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clippers and Windstar all have European itineraries in Greece and the Greek Islands, Turkey, Bulgaria and the Black Sea.

Can you imagine how exciting it would be to cruise over to Greece, then on to Turkey and then the Black Sea! Visit the Parthenon, or the Acropolis. Maybe you want to visit the sandy beaches of the Greek Islands of Mykonos, Santorini, Patmos, Rhodes, and the island of Cyprus. Cruise itineraries in Greece often stop in Katakolon, home of the first Olympic stadium and the Temple of Zeus, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World.

Odessa’s Potemkin Stairs stretch all the way to the city – 142 meters – providing European cruise visitors with a grand entrance to this major port. One of the oldest towns in Europe, Nessebur’s romantic cobblestone streets and medieval architecture make it one of the most popular destinations in Bulgaria.

Western Mediterranean Cruises

France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Not bad destinations to say the least. Have you always wanted to see Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera?

In the Western Mediterranean cruises are the way to go. Enjoy architecture at its finest any truly laid back each style feel in every port along the coast. Even more enticing is St. Tropez’s truly remarkable night life. Celebrity, Costa, Crystal, Cunard, and Holland America offer Western Mediterranean cruises.

After the French Riviera, the western Mediterranean cruise will often stop in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Visit the de Santa Justa, and climb the iron elevator, for one of the most breathtaking views of the city. you may also enjoy a shore excursion to a 16th century monastery, or just wander through the Alfama quarter. Don’t leave Lisbon without seeing the Praca do Comercio, also called the Terreiro do Paco, site of the former royal palace. Some European cruise lines include a stop on Portugal’s island of Madeira.

Some of the most popular European cruise line destinations in Spain include Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca. And while in Spain don’t forget to stop by the Museu Picasso and the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. Lastly, western Mediterranean cruise itineraries in Spain also include stops in Gibraltar, Malaga and Cadiz.