Tips To Plan Your Cruise With European Vacation Packages

Imagine you are waking up every morning to the serene and calming sea breeze, to the sight of exquisiteness and grandeur, and sipping in your first cup of coffee, relishing the beauty of nature. 

 

Well, this is what your life will be like if you are traveling on a European cruise this year. 

 

The best European Vacation Packages are all set and happening post-pandemic. They are ready to take you to some of the most vibrant destinations in Europe. 

 

Check out the top tips for planning your next vacation with the best European vacation packages.

 

Why take a European cruise vacation?

 

Cruise fans stress the ease of visiting various destinations without having to unpack everywhere. There is no need to book any kind of hotel in every city or deal with airport security, transfers, and other documentation lines. Instead of facing the hassles of getting from one place to another, passengers aboard a cruise ship can easily relax and enjoy the comforts while indulging in good food and beverages along with the ports. Shore excursions on some of the best European vacation packages are offered with humongous choices of activities based on the varied interests of all kinds of travelers. 

 

What is the best time to go cruising around Europe?

 

 

As far as weather is concerned, you will be enthralled by the fact that there is a pretty wide window to choose from when considering your next European vacation cruise. The usual cruising season runs from April through November to avoid the winter chills. 

 

If you love to bask in the summer sun, try to pick your European vacation packages in either May or September. 

 

Essentials for a European cruise

 

If you are traveling aboard a European cruise, your passport is essential, and it is advisable to carry along a copy of your passport or a phone photo, just in case it requires replacement. 

 

You should also try to bring local currency for shore excursions, souvenir purchases, or other incidental expenses along with the ports. 

 

Also, make sure you have all the necessary medications with you, along with non-prescription drugs that might be required by you or your loved ones while on the cruise. Another essential item to keep with you on this vacation is chargers and adapters for all your electronic gadgets. If you are carrying a camera, carry batteries and portable batteries to recharge your phones as well as to take photos the entire day. 

 

If you are an avid reader and are looking to relax with the book you were meant to finish, carry that book or your e-reader so you can catch up on some reading along the way. 

 

The essential part of your European cruise vacation will be to get travel coverage. Your Medicare will not cover the expenses outside of the US. Medical insurance policies usually do not offer overseas coverage. Therefore get relatively inexpensive travel coverage.

 

What should you pack for your Europe cruise vacation?

 

If you are confused about what to wear on your European vacation cruise, let us simplify it for you. 

 

For women, daytime attire can consist of shorts, t-shirts, and sundresses with flip flops. In fact, you can also carry sneakers with you. If you are traveling during the cooler weather, carry a pair of jeans or linen pants. Also, do not forget to bring a rain jacket and a light warm pullover. 

 

If you are planning your European cruise, bring your bathing suit, sunblock, hat, and water bottle. 

 

Men can carry shorts and t-shirts along with sandals or sneakers or even both. A couple of light pullovers with a pair of jeans is a viable option. 

 

For evening wear, for both men and women, pack at least one cocktail dress or a suit for spending your evenings attending an elegant event onboard. 

 

You can also carry a pair or two of smart casual attire, suitable for dining. 

 

Onboarding Tips

 

Dining Options 

 

Many cruise lines offer different dining options ranging from three or more course meals to casual, light meals. Most cruise lines are going above and beyond their ways to get the passengers assigned tables and timings to meet the preferences of busy millennial travelers. The Norwegian cruise line, for example, offers a “Freestyle Cruise” option with no fixed schedules for dining and dress code and provides a choice to travelers for their preferred dining experience and entertainment options. 

 

Some cruise lines also prepare and provide meals catering to the special health requirements of all passengers. However, you should inquire and inform the staff onboard, in advance, if you have any kind of dietary restrictions and requirements. 

 

Choosing your stateroom 

 

Once you have decided on the cruise line, date, and ships, the next step would be to choose your preferred stateroom. There are a variety of stateroom options available with varied sizes, decks, amenities, and categories. There is too much to consider from all kinds of options. 

 

There are inside cabins with lower costs and spacious suites on the upper and lower decks. However, the costs and personal preferences for such suites decide how expensive they can be. 

 

Usually, on a cruise, a balcony offers fresh air with additional space, light, and a private place, making such cabins the prime choice for all kinds of travelers. 

 

As far as solo travelers are concerned, they might want to look for lines that offer staterooms and cabins at a price less than double the normal fare. Many cruise lines offer studio cabins and make allowances for such a segment of travelers.

 

Activities and facilities 

 

If you are planning a cruise vacation to Europe, the chances are that you will not spend a lot of time outside the ship. You will spend the majority of your time inside the ship and in your cabin. The ship will offer you a variety of activities for you to enjoy, along with access to public spaces. You will likely find a swimming pool where you can spend your time or hit the gym in the morning. You can enjoy the cinema, casinos and game rooms. And, if you are not into all the partying and fun, you might cherish the peace and calm that an onboard library will offer you. 

 

Cruises also have lots of onboard entertainment. There is an evening program full of musicians and comedians and other activities like shuffleboard wherein guests on the ship can also participate. 

 

If you do not know what activity is happening on the ship, you can refer to the program list that most ships deliver to everyone’s cabin the night prior. 

 

In addition to all the entertainment and activities, there are various bars, shops, restaurants, and lounges for you to indulge in. 

 

Gratuities 

 

To eliminate your need to tip the staff constantly, you can opt for a gratuity that can be used to pay off the imposed service charges. The amount of gratuity payable is based on a daily rate, usually around $10 per adult per day. 

 

It is a norm to pay the gratuity when making the final payment for your cruise. However, some cruise lines offer you an option to pay onboard before disembarking. 

 

It is, however, recommended that you pre-pay the gratuity since it is a compulsory expense, which you might have to pay anyway. So, if you pay it upfront, you will not have to disturb your other budgetary expenses during the cruise or toward the end. 

 

Best European Vacation Packages 

 

 

Check out these European Vacation Packages and choose the one that suits you:

 

7 Night Cruise to Europe on Norwegian Cruise Line

 

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

 

Amenities

- Large ship

- Kids clubs

- Nightly shows

- Spa services

- Specialty restaurants

- Suite complex

- Thermal suite

- Vibrant nightlife

- Waterslides

- Wifi available

 

Starting from: $1097

 

7 Night Cruise to the Western Mediterranean on The MSC Grandiosa

 

 

Itinerary

Day​​ 1

Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy

Day​​ 2

Cruising

Day​​ 3

Valencia, Valencian Country, Spain

Day​​ 4

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Day​​ 5

Cruising

Day​​ 6

Genoa, Liguria, Italy

Day​​ 7

La Spezia, Liguria, Italy

Day​​ 8

Civitavecchia, Lazio, Italy

 

Amenities

- New ship

- Mega ship

- Adult pool area

- Dance club

- Family cabins

- Kids clubs

- Specialty restaurants

- Suite complex

- Thermal suite

- Vibrant nightlife

 

Starting From: $408 

 

7 Night Cruise to the Baltic Sea with the Viking Jupiter Ship

 

Itinerary

Day​​ 1

Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Day​​ 2

Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

Day​​ 3

Isafjordur, Westfjords Region, Iceland

Day​​ 4

Akureyri, Northeast Region, Iceland

Day​​ 5

Seydisfjordur

Day​​ 6

Djupivogur

Day​​ 7

Heimaey

Day​​ 8

Reykjavik, Capital Region, Iceland

 

Amenities

- New ship

- Small mid-sized ship

- Adults only

- Alfresco dining

- Free Wifi

- Indoor pool

- Multiple restaurants

- Some alcohol included

- Spa services

- Thermal suite

 

Starting from: $1299

 

9 Night Cruise to Europe on Viking Torgil Cruise

 

 

Itinerary

Day 1

Lisbon, Central Portugal, Portugal

Day​​ 2

Lisbon, Central Portugal, Portugal

Day​​ 3

Porto Viro

Day​​ 4

Regua

Day​​ 5

Castelo Rodrigo

Day​​ 5

Douro

Day​​ 5

Pocinho

Day​​ 6

Salamanca

Day​​ 7

Pinhao, Northern Portugal, Portugal

Day​​ 8

Regua

Day​​ 9

Porto Viro

Day​​ 10

Porto Viro

 

Amenities

- Small ship

- Adult centric

- Alfresco dining 

- Enrichment programming

- Free Wifi

- Included excursions

- Multiple restaurants

- Open bridge policy

- Regional cuisine

- Some alcohol included

 

Starting from: $4699

 

Final Words

A cruise can be anything you want it to be, a prepackaged travel cliche or a free-spirited independent vacation. Keep your goals in mind before you plan your vacation since some of the best European vacation packages are going to be lifelong memories for you. Match the available packages with your personal style of traveling and your budget, and then go along the way, sipping on some wine and cheese on the side. 

 

Happy cruising to you!