European Cruises

Holidaying in cruise is totally different from, the regular vacations. It is a lot more different. The various cruise liners across the globe offer various packages suitable for any individuals wallet. The cruise ship is virtually a floating city on the sea. One must experience it to believe. It has everything in it. It can be compared to a seven star deluxe hotel on the land. It has swimming pool, basket ball court, Jacuzzi, sauna, dance floors, restaurants, childrens play area, karaoke, casinos, library, secretarial services and what not. In this article we will focus our attention on the European cruises. A European cruise offers a great vacation by giving a solution to ground transportation, Room reservations at various locations, logistical problems of packing and unpacking, transfers etc.

One can visit the cosmopolitan cities such as Rome and Athens or the shores of Mediterranean and the ever mystical Norwegian fgords. One can get down at Venice and can take a Gondola ride or book shore excursions available on board and do the must see sight seeing of Venice. Visit the glass factories, museums and the world famous vine yards without anyworry.There is so much of activity available on board. The passenger can have a dance on the dance floor the previous night and then start the next day with swimming, snorkeling or parasailing. Or the day can be spent just relaxing without doing anything by taking the spa and sunbathing available on the deck. There are lectures available given by world class chefs, artists, world class authors and entertainers. A European cruises is the ideal way to see Europe with more than a dozen of Cruise liners available with various options. PLANNING Planning starts once a traveler starts thinking and dreaming about a cruise. Is this trip going to be a leisure cruise, with a family or will it be a honey moon cruise. Based on the above points the required cruise option can be taken. At once the destination is decided careful planning has to be worked out and an appropriate package and cruise liner is selected. By this way one can get the best out of the cruise. There are about a dozen companies Operate in Europe out of which around 50 are there in the Mediterranean alone. A check list has to prepared with the must see sight seeing and the do and the donts. This would work out the best for the traveler and the companions.

CHOOSING An ideal cruise is that which meets ones expectations, full fill his long cherished dream and should provide the best value for money and time spent on and off the ship. In order to obtain the above the following check list has to be taken into consideration. a) What is the destination Most of the European cruises focus on a particular region of Europe. For e.g. there are cruises operating in the Baltic Sea with stops at Copenhagen, Helsinki, St Petersburg and Stockholm. Or if the cruise is in the Mediterranean there are stopovers at Rome, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Croatia. There are special cruises operating in the Norwegian region with is Fjords as the main attraction. For first timers there are cruises covering cities like Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Athens. So the destination comes in the first choice. b) What is the type of Vessel do one prefer The size of the ship becomes the second consideration. The larger vessel cannot dock at as many ports as the smaller or medium sized ships. The mega ship can carry as many as 2500 passengers and the ship gives the feeling of a traveling resort with all the amenities and facilities available on board the vessel. There are certain disadvantages as well like waiting in long queues. However in Europe cruising in small ship is much better as the atmosphere is very relaxed.

The mid sized ships also provide all the amenities of the mega ships. However these ships are there sailing for decades. Hence one must ensure that he enquires about the age of the ship before making the booking. If the idea is to have an intimate environment with the sea then the choice is the small sized ships. These kinds of ships visit the majority of the ports and the shore excursions are free in most of the cases. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and the meals are informal. Passengers become friendly with each other very soon. The disadvantage is that these ships dont have the stabilizers that are present in the larger vessels. c) What to do on board One will choose the vessel depending on the amenities available on board. While most of the ships have all the amenities some offer more than what one can expect. Spa treatments, casinos, live entertainment and shopping malls are available on the larger ships as well as the mid sized ships. There are also topic cruises such as the history cruises, art and culture European cruises, vine cruises, passenger classes, lectures and shore excursions. While choosing the shore excursions special thought should be given. These excursions are an eye opener to the local art and culture, food and people. Some shore excursion offer adventure sports like hot air balloons and tours to the vine farms.

RESERVATION Once the region in Europe, duration of the cruise, type of the ship etc are identified and decided then the traveler can see many cruise companies offering the service for the selected categories. After doing all of the above careful research has to be undertaken by talking to multiple travel agents, cruise company representatives besides other earlier traveled passengers. By doing so, one can save up to 50 percent of the cruise cost. How to save money while making the reservation Summer is the peak season for cruising. The months from April to November are considered as summer months. During these months getting discounted rates could be difficult. April, May and November, December is considered as shoulder seasons. During these months discounts are aplenty. Some companies do operate during December on some theme topics and give special packaged rates. Generally during the beginning of the season the traveler can get discounted price. Following are some tips as to how to save money on cruise. Early bird discounts- when you reserve the cruise before 10 to 12 months you are sure of getting better rates and choice of cabins to your preference. Last minute booking- So also when you make the reservation during the week of departure good rates are sure to come by. This is because the cruise companies wants to fill up the unsold cabins and one can look forward to good bargain.

The disadvantage in the last minute booking is that the passenger has to be at the mercy of fluctuating air fares. Third and fourth passengers- European cruise companies offer special discounts to the third and fourth passenger sharing the same cabins. This comes as an attractive price for the members of the same families and wedding parties. In most of the cruise, the cost of the cabins, food, most of the entertainment and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price. But there are other costs which are not included and the passenger has to inquire about them in detail before doing the booking. Also he has to make sure that all costs relating to ground transportation, port handling charges and taxes are known in detail before making a reservation. How to make the reservation The reservation can be done with the cruise company directly, through recognized travel agents or in some cases it can be done on line. It is advantageous to do it directly through the cruise companies as one can expect good discounts, freebies and cabin upgrades. Also many cruise companies offer packaged rate with the discounted airfare and ground transportation. It is advantage to do them directly with the cruise company as in case of any cancellation of flights they can undertake alternate measure as the whereabouts are clearly know to them. While making it through the travel agents their knowledge about the product comes in handy along with their experience. This is also an advantage.

THINGS TO KNOW What are all the things to be remembered while undertaking a cruise is described in the coming lines. Arriving well prepared on time for the European cruise makes a traveler enjoy the cruise without any worry. Make sure that the passports are renewed at least six weeks before departure along with the valid visas. Ensure that the detailed itinerary is taken copies and left behind with your family members and friends. This must include the phone numbers and other details which will help them in contacting you incase of emergency. Take copies of all your credit cards and leave one in your home and other in the ships safe. Take time to learn about the local customs and regulations where the ship will halt. The information can be had from the ship company or from the internet. This can be also found out from the crew member or from the ships bulletin. While doing the packing, check out the baggage regulations of the ship company. Here is a check list Passport, Visas, Photo identification cards, cash, credit cards, insurance, suitable attire based on the season and the country of travel, drugs, sunglasses, lotions, Emergency contact information, comfortable shoes for walking, Language dictionary. Have a great European cruises holiday.

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