The Top 5 European Vacation Cruises for August 2021

Whether you are indulging in the history of Istanbul or exploring the castles of England, European vacations have a lot to offer! And what better way to explore Europe than getting onboard a cruise ship?

 

To determine what cruises offer the best European vacations and experiences, at Leisure, we have compiled certain factors and methodologies that support a huge variety of itineraries and vacationing needs. Moreover, considering Europe’s immense popularity when it comes to the best vacation spots, you are likely to find the best cruise deals to Europe all year round. 

 

About European cruises 

 

When choosing to visit Europe on a cruise, the biggest challenge is narrowing down the locations you want to see. You must know the different European cruises that you can check out. 

 

The western Mediterranean cruise itineraries will plan your trip around Barcelona, Monaco, and Italy. The eastern Mediterranean cruise itineraries will take you around Eastern Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and Israel. 

 

If you are looking to spend time in the ethereal beauty of Scandinavia and Russia, you must take a Baltic Sea cruise option and explore the beauty of the Norwegian Fjords. However, you can not forget the colonial cities on the British Isles Cruises path, allowing you to go back in history through England, Scotland, and London. And who can forget the Canary Islands? 

 

There are countless options to choose from when cruising around Europe. 

However, before you opt and book the best cruise package for Europe, you need to know more about Europe. 

 

What is the best time to cruise around Europe?

 

 

The best time to cruise around Europe is during the summer months. However, spring and fall also act as pleasant times to go to Europe on a cruise. These are the times when you will not encounter huge crowds and the usual hustle and bustle. 

 

Cruise lines, however, are always sailing around Europe, even during winters, but are less in number, especially during January and February. There are unique voyages that take you to see the magnificent Northern Lights and explore the wintry wonders in Europe. 

 

What are the best European Vacation cruise options? 

 

The majority of cruise lines offering an itinerary for Europe are going to and from a cluster of three major regions: Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Western Europe. Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Azamara, Silverseas, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Crystal, Regent are just a few names on the list. There is also the option of some popular river cruises, like Emerald, Scenic, Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, and others. These cruises are going to and from three rivers: Douro, Danube, and Rhine. 

 

What can you do in Europe?

 

With an abundance of culture, tourist spots, museums, hiking trails, the biggest fashion houses, the best food and drinks, and natural wonders, what can you not do in Europe?

 

You can go about traversing in Norway, Italy, France, and Croatia or just take a stroll down the streets in any neighborhood and admire the infrastructure and the colonial architecture. 

 

Will you need a passport for your cruise vacation to Europe?

 

Yes, you will require a passport. If you are looking forward to international air travel to reach your cruise departure destination, you are required to bring along your valid passport. This will help you board your flight. The passport will be valid both to and from the United States. 

 

How should you pack for your Europe trip on a cruise?

 

 

There will be a lot of sightseeing, therefore, ensure you are packing comfortable clothes and shoes. You will have to walk down streets laden with cobblestones, which is why comfortable shoes are crucial. Try and bring proper clothing for day sightseeing tours and formal clothes for Opera, if you are planning to indulge in the same. You can also pack some warm layers, a pashmina, perhaps? This will help you keep your calm if the weather is too cold for you during the evening. 

 

1. Departure locations for European cruises 

2. Baltic and Norwegian Fjord cruises 

These cruises depart from various ports, including Copenhagen, Southampton, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Bergen. 

3. Round-Britain Cruises 

The Round-Britain cruises depart from both Southampton and Dublin. 

 

European River Cruises

These cruises depart from different port locations, depending on the itinerary and the type of river. For example, for the Rhine River, cruises depart from Amsterdam and Basel. For the Danube river, the cruise departs from Budapest, Nuremberg, and Passau. 

 

The Seine cruise departs from Paris, Rhone from Avignon, Arles, and Lyon, while Portugal's Douro cruises depart from Porto and Lisbon. Bordeaux cruises depart from Bordeaux itself and the Eibe from Prague and Berlin. 

 

Tips for finding the best cruise for your next European vacation

 

A few tips for finding the best European vacation cruises with cheaper deals are:

 

1. Book a “guaranteed cabin” or a cabin on the lower decks. 

2. Try and book an older ship from any cruise you like to get the best prices

3. Look out for the last minute cruise deals, usually at least a week before the sailing date 

4. And, last but not least, book your cruise tour during the non-peak season. 

 

All of these tips will help you find the best deals for your cruise vacation to Europe. 

 

Top 5 cruises for the best European vacation 

 

 

1. 7 Nights cruise to Europe with the Norwegian Cruise Line 

 

Sail Date 

August 29th, 2021

 

Price

Deals start at $699 per person.

 

Features

- Large ship

- Kids clubs

- Nightly shows

- Spa services

- Specialty restaurants

- Suite complex

- Thermal suite

- Vibrant nightlife

- Waterslides

- Wifi available

 

Itinerary 

Day​​ 1 - Athens, Attica, Greece

Day​​ 2 - Crete, Greece

Day​​ 3 - Rhodes, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 4 - Mykonos, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 5 - Katakolo, West Greece, Greece

Day​​ 6 - Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece

Day​​ 7 - Santorini, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 8 - Athens, Attica, Greece

 

2. 7 Nights cruise to the Mediterranean with the Celestyal Crystal 

 

 

Sailing date 

August 7th, 2021

 

Price 

Deals starting from $644 per person. 

 

Features

- Mid-sized ship

- Casino

- Connecting cabins

- Fitness center

- Multiple restaurants

- Nightly shows

- Some alcohol included

- Spa services

- Tips included

- Wifi available

 

Itinerary 

Day​​ 1 - Athens, Attica, Greece

Day​​ 2 - Kusadasi, Turkish Aegean Coast, Turkey

Day​​ 3 - Rhodes, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 4 - Santorini, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 5 - Lavrion

Day​​ 5 - Mykonos, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 6 - Mykonos, South Aegean, Greece

Day​​ 6 - Milos

Day​​ 7 - Agios Nikolaos

Day​​ 8 - Athens, Attica, Greece

 

3. 7 Nights cruise to the Western Mediterranean with the MSC Grandiosa

 

 

Sailing Date

August 27th, 2021

 

Price

Deals start at $788 per person.

 

Features

- New ship

- Mega ship

- Adult pool area

- Dance club

- Family cabins

- Kids clubs

- Specialty restaurants

- Suite complex

- Thermal suite

- Vibrant nightlife

 

Itinerary 

Day 1 - Valencia, Valencian Country, Spain

Day​​ 2 - Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Day​​ 3 - Cruising

Day​​ 4 - Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Day​​ 5 - La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Day​​ 6 - Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy

Day​​ 7 - Cruising

Day​​ 8 - Valencia, Valencian Country, Spain

 

4 Night Cruise to Europe with the Leonard de Vinci

 

Sailing Date

August 20th, 2021

 

Price

Deals start from $1143 per person. 

 

Features

- Small ship

- Adult centric

- Alfresco dining

- Cooking classes

- Enrichment programming

- Jogging track

- Open bridge policy

- Regional cuisine

- Some alcohol included

- Wifi available

 

Itinerary 

Day​​ 1 - Strasbourg, Grand Est, France

Day​​ 2 - Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Day​​ 2 - Strasbourg, Grand Est, France

Day​​ 3 - Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Day​​ 3 - Lorelei

Day​​ 3 - Rüdesheim am Rhein, Hesse, Germany

Day​​ 4 - Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Day​​ 4 - Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Day​​ 4 - Nierstein

Day​​ 4 - Speyer, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Day​​ 4 - Strasbourg, Grand Est, France

Day​​ 4 - Wiesbaden

Day​​ 4 - Worms

Day​​ 5 - Strasbourg, Grand Est, France

 

3 Night Cruise to the Baltic Sea with the Disney Magic cruise line

 

 

Sailing Date

August 13th, 2021

 

Price 

Deals starting from $1666 per person

 

Features 

- Mid-sized ship

- Babysitting available

- Connecting cabins

- Family cabins

- Kids clubs

- Nightly shows

- Poolside movies

- Spa services

- Specialty restaurants

- Vibrant nightlife

- Itinerary 

Day​​ 1 - Southampton, England, United Kingdom

Day​​ 2 - Cruising

Day​​ 3 - Cruising

Day​​ 4 - Southampton, England, United Kingdom

 

Final Words

The best European vacations feel like paradise on Earth, especially when you are sunbathing and sipping wine on these cruises to Europe. Feel free to bask in the sunny glory and the pleasant weather, along with scenic beauty while you are there. While you are at it, do not forget to try out the delicacies in the fine-dining options available on your cruise. 

Happy cruising to you!