Cruise Through Europe in Luxury: How the Ship Became Home Away from Home

Summary

Cruising through Europe has become an increasingly popular way of exploring its many historic cities and cultural attractions. A cruise ship provides an ideal way of fulfilling the dream of visiting multiple destinations while enjoying a luxurious, home-away-from-home experience. Whether the destination is Barcelona, Istanbul, or Rome, European cruises are the perfect mix of sightseeing, entertainment and relaxation.

When embarking on a European cruise, there is plenty to consider, from the type of itinerary and its ports of call, to the onboard amenities and facilities included. Know what to expect from a European cruise ship, so that it can become a home-away-from-home for the duration of the voyage.

The size and facilities of the ship are important considerations. Smaller ships are ideal for exploring more intimate ports of call, while larger ships tend to have more facilities and entertainment options onboard.

The quality of the accommodations is important too. Cruise lines offer a variety of cabin types, all with private bathrooms and plenty of storage, plus housekeeping and room service. Choose a room with a balcony to make the most of waking up to stunning views.

Sea days are one of the best parts of a cruise, offering time to get settled in and acclimatize to the environment of the ship and the itinerary. With so much to do on board, there is no shortage of options, from lounging by the pool, enjoying the spa and fitness centers, or checking out the onboard entertainment and activities.

When in port, there is an array of destination experiences available. Choose from a variety of planned shore excursions and activities, from cycling to winery tours and city walks, to see the best of each destination.

A European cruise is the perfect way to explore and immerse yourself in the culture of its many cities, rivers, and bays. Enjoy the luxury of a home-away-from-home experience, with a range of onboard amenities and plenty of shore excursions to discover the best of each destination. Choose the right cruise line and ship for the ideal mix of sightseeing and relaxation for a truly memorable vacation experience.
 

Experience the Best of Europe with a Cruise

Cruising through Europe is one of the best ways to explore the continent without having to worry about lodging, planning meals, or packing and unpacking your bags. Cruise ships have become synonymous with luxury, offering an incomparable travel experience complete with world-class amenities, top-notch dining, and unparalleled hospitality. From onboard activities to excursions ashore, there is no shortage of things to do and see while cruising through Europe.

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See the Best Sites in Europe

Cruise ships offer unique itineraries in Europe that provide passengers with a deeper cultural experience. Popular ports and destinations may include Barcelona, Spain; Venice, Italy; and Copenhagen, Denmark. While exploring these places, travelers can view ancient monuments, admire historical sites and architecture, and visit iconic places like the Grand Canal in Venice or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Cruise ships also offer many shore excursions which provide passengers chance to explore places they may not have seen otherwise.
 

Relax and Unwind on a Cruise

At the end of a long day of sightseeing or sporting, travelers can return to their luxurious cabin aboard the ship, relax and unwind. Cruises offer a plethora of activities for passengers to partake in, including live music and entertainment, high-end shopping, spa and wellness services, fitness classes, and much more. There are also plenty of dining options available onboard a cruise, from casual eateries to five-star restaurants.
 

Exceptional Service on a Cruise

Cruise ships offer excellent customer service, which makes for a truly unforgettable experience. The staff onboard will go above and beyond to ensure that all of the passengers' needs are met. From the cabin staff to the restaurant staff, everyone on the ship is dedicated to providing the best service possible. Passengers will feel like they are truly home away from home while cruising through Europe aboard a luxury cruise ship.

<<As fellow traveler Mick Kohter from England said, "This cruise is a good taste of Europe for first-timers," an ideal way to become acquainted with and visit the cities we've all heard about. Rome, Florence/Pisa, Naples, Venice, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu (Greece), Monte Carlo/Nice.

With such a variety of bars, cafes, restaurants and lounges onboard, it was an enjoyable challenge to sample them all. We dined in the Minstrel dining room most evenings with our table-mates, Charles and Pat from Pennsylvania, and Alan and Pauline from Surrey, England. All had sailed before with Royal Caribbean (except Charles, this was his first) and liked it so much they came back. Each evening we shared our adventures of the day.

<<We set aside a couple of nights for the two specialty restaurants, Chops Grill and Portofino. As the names suggest, Chops serves up a perfectly prepared steak, and a selection of gourmet Italian dishes is available in Portofino. Food and wine in both were exceptional and well worth the $20 dining fee, which includes gratuities. The decor of each enhanced the ambience of fine dining.

The Champagne Bar became a favorite gathering place when returning from shore. Cocktail specials were offered from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring reasonable prices for champagne and the opportunity to enjoy the view through floor-to-ceiling windows. Next door was a coffee bar serving specialty coffees and desserts.

Almost every morning we breakfasted at the buffet in the Windjammer Cafe, which had everything from made-to-order crepes to old-fashioned oatmeal. Then moving to the fantail outside, we ate while enjoying fresh air and sunshine. For those preferring a quieter atmosphere, the main dining room was open most mornings.

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<<Pre-dinner entertainment in the 11-story Centrum Lobby was also very popular. Each evening, musical entertainment could be heard throughout the ship. Performers rotated to different locations, and passengers followed their favorite to their next venue. Cocktail lounges, clubs and the disco had musical groups nightly for dancing or listening enjoyment. And, of course, there was karaoke for those so inclined in the Colony Club.

The solarium pool and hot tub decor is tropical and dramatically different from other areas of the ship. The weather during our cruise was cold and sunny, so this was a popular place for reading or enjoying the warmth of the pool and hot tub. We felt as if we had stepped into a tropical paradise of flowering plants, warm sultry air and large elephant statues draped in hanging vines. When the Brilliance transfers to the Caribbean for winter cruising, the retractable glass roof can be opened.

<<Art lovers can spend hours taking in the works of art that are everywhere onboard. London contemporary art works with the architecture to create spaces that showcase spectacular original artworks.

For the fitness-minded there is the ShipShape Center with treadmills, weights and lots of other get-in-shape equipment. And there is the challenge of the rock wall, yoga, Pilates, mini-golf, dance lessons - something for everyone who finds the time.

Martin Quigley, marketing and revenue director, said the ship strives to incorporate the food and activities of each destination. One example is the Venetian Masquerade Ball while the ship was docked in Venice. Venetians are famous for designing masks of intricate design and color. Passengers returned with masks for the ball, which could become artwork at home. Mine, now hanging at home, is a beautiful half mask of black leather with black ostrich feathers.

A memorable time was sailing into the Grand Canal of Venice with Luciano Pavarotti singing on the ship's audio system; another was docking within walking distance of Piazza San Marco. The sight of the Brilliance of the Sea towering over water taxis and gondolas drew crowds of local Venetians and their children.

<<Of course, every port had a large selection of tours from which to choose. Many passengers went on their own, but we opted for booked tours this time to be able to see all we wanted. In Rome, the Vatican; Pisa, the Leaning Tower (which now allows 35 people at a time to climb to the top); Monaco, the Casino; the walled city of Dubrovnik; a city tour of Naples. Every port has its own charm and history, and often it was a hard choice to give one up for another due to time constraints. But that is a good reason to return for another cruise.

IF YOU GO

For up-to-date pricing or to reserve your cruise, contact your local travel agent or call direct to Royal Caribbean (800) 722-5045 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com. Sailing dates for the 12-night Mediterranean-Venice start June 17 with the final cruise Oct. 15. Special, shorter sailings are available prior to that, but see a travel agent for pricing and details.

U.S citizens do not need visas for any ports of call, only a valid passport.

Security aboard ship is strictly enforced, and photo IDs and a security card, issued at the time of embarkation, are required to depart or board the ship at all times.

Although this wasn't our first cruise, it was the first time we experienced the loss of our luggage. It finally arrived at Villefranche, our first port of call, a day and a half after we sailed. The ship's crew handled and solved our being "luggage deprived" beautifully. They called the airline, arranged for the luggage to be flown to Nice, arranged pickup there and delivery to our stateroom. We were also provided toothbrushes, T-shirts and toiletries until our own arrived. This is a rare occurrence, but if it happens to you aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, rest assured you're in good hands.

Patricia Gonzales is vice president of Copley News Service.