Table Of Content
This is available to residents of the United States and Canada, as well as select other nations. Odyssey of the Seas will sail from Rome to offer Greek Isles and Holy Land cruises to Israel. Oasis of the Seas will sail from Barcelona and Rome and offer Spain, France & Italy cruises in the Western Mediterranean. Stay flexible and you’re sure to have an amazing European cruise experience. While it’s possible to cruise to many places in the Caribbean with only US dollars, you’ll want to have Euros (or other local currency) on a European cruise.
OLD-WORLD WARMTH ALONG A BREEZY COAST
While I prefer to pay for everything with my card, my past experiences in Europe taught me to always have a little bit of cash on hand. One of the best parts of traveling to Europe is tasting local cuisine, whether cheese crêpes in France or paella in Spain. Instead of spending around $200 on a dining package, I chose to save money to enjoy lunch in each port I visited, and I was satisfied with this decision. First, you want to allocate enough time in case you experience any flight delays or issues; as such, you’ll want to ensure your flight lands at least one day prior to your cruise departure.
Brilliance of the Seas
Instead, I opted to travel through Amsterdam to get home on the day I planned while my parents spent the night in Atlanta because of the delay. However, for those traveling to Europe across the Atlantic for a cruise, it’s a long trip to take. Israel has strict immigration laws and requires everyone to do a face-to-face interview before entering the country. This can take up to four hours for everyone onboard to go through immigration; however, those on Royal Caribbean excursions had the priority for immigration. We had a few instances where the guide would say things like, “Unfortunately, we don’t have time to wait in the line to see this”, which included really incredible sites like Jesus’ tomb, manger and crucifixion site. Some chose to wait in the lines anyway and get separated from the tour.
Figure out the best time to cruise to Europe for your preferences
To enjoy your fill of specialty restaurants – like the exclusive Chef’s Table, the Tuscan-inspired Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver and other standouts – consider purchasing a dining package. Pack your bags and buckle up for an even more extraordinary adventure to unforgettable European destinations in 2024. Your phone's translation app (or, at minimum, learning how to say 'Hello' and 'Thank You' in local languages) will aid you along the Mediterranean. You should always be prepared for rain and colder weather when you travel to Europe, especially in the North. Many of the best European cruises dock in Denmark, and it's no wonder why.
With 3 jam-packed days exploring the bustling cities in Israel and Greece, there were times when I wish we could have had more time to soak everything in. We also loved our time exploring the beautiful ports of Santorini, Rhodes, Cyprus and Crete. My parents and sister had never been to Santorini, and this is truly a bucket-list port that I think everyone needs to see once in their lifetime. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.
When I was deciding which Royal Caribbean cruises to book in Europe this summer, I had no idea where to start. All destinations looked absolutely incredible, from the snowy peaks of Norway to sunny ports in France and Italy. I purchased one organized tour, a half-day boat tour in Zakynthos, Greece, that visited the island's famous Shipwreck Beach.
Visit Famous Landmarks in the British Isles
Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. Make reservations before your cruise – including for dining, shows, popular activities (such as RipCord® by iFly®), and Adventure Ocean®. With Oasis of the Seas® and Voyager of the Seas® sailing from Barcelona, the summer of 2024 is starting to sizzle! Factor in memorable meals and jaw-dropping shows for the European cruise of a lifetime. The hit TV show might be finished, but 'Game of Thrones' fans will recognise dozens of locations in the walled city of Dubrovnik, the jewel of Croatia's Adriatic coast.
How to Get Travel Tuesday Cruise Deals Royal Caribbean Cruises
The only thing better than strolling into Paris as the Eiffel Tower lights up at night? Sitting down for a meal of freshly caught seafood as the sun sets over the harbour of aptly named Nice. France has got something for every traveller, which is why so many cruises to Europe dock here. Endless possibilities are what the coasts of France, Spain and Portugal have always been about.
In fact, while some cruisers have no interest in sailing on the fleet's smallest ships, I actually found Rhapsody of the Seas to be perfect for a port-intensive Greek Isles cruise. Three ports on my Greek Isles cruise were tender ports, meaning a short boat ride was required to get from the anchored ship to port. The tickets are free, but each has a group number, and you cannot head ashore until your group number is called. Even though I hated the travel time to get to the European cruise port, being able to tack on a small trip before or after a cruise is one of my favorite aspects of European cruising. My sister and I opted to make the most of our travel time to Europe and add-on a few days in Paris before traveling to Rome to meet up with our parents for the cruise. I would even recommend leaving three days prior to your cruise departure so you have one full day to rest or explore the departure port.
Once you do those two things, spend the rest of the day walking around, visiting a local cafe or restaurant, and taking in local culture. Some smaller cruise ports in Europe are tender ports, meaning there is no dock where you can walk off the ship and onto land. Instead, these ports use small tender boats to bring passengers from ship to shore while the cruise ship anchors offshore. When combined with the strong summer heat, this can quickly make you feel exhausted. While most ports are walkable directly from the ship or with a short shuttle ride to town, there are several European cruise ports which require traveling long distances (1-2 hours) each way to reach the city. Most European cruise ports (or surrounding areas) are walkable and charming, meaning you can have a nice day simply walking around without a plan.
Anthem of the Seas will sail from Southampton, UK and offer cruises of various lengths to destinations in Spain, Portugal, Norway and the Canary Islands. There are sailings between April and November 2023 to book across 9 different ships. With penguin-speckled shores, iceberg-dotted waters and gleaming glacial mountains, a European cruise to the Arctic Circle may rewrite your definition of spellbinding.
Unofficial blog about Royal Caribbean cruises - Royal Caribbean Blog
Unofficial blog about Royal Caribbean cruises.
Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
We found a local tour operator right when we got into port and were able to book the excursion for €45, which was cheaper than what I had found on Royal Caribbean's and third party operators' websites. It was well worth it, but I'm sure I could have found plenty to do in Zakynthos without a tour as well. Despite extensive research beforehand, not everything can go perfectly on a cruise vacation, and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way. However, I also made many great decisions during my time in Europe that enhanced my cruise experience.
While you don’t need to pack the bulkiest tennis shoes for your cruise, be sure to pack shoes you’ve worn many times before to avoid any mishaps. Bringing comfortable walking shoes is extremely important on a cruise to Europe to avoid feeling miserable with blisters and sore feet. Just like our advice for any other Royal Caribbean cruise, be sure to book a European cruise with a travel agent.
Culinary excellence also awaits, from familiar favourites like Italian pasta and Spanish tapas, to lesser-known cuisines from Amsterdam to Zagreb.
France has got something for every traveler, which is why so many cruises to Europe dock here. The hit TV show might be finished, but "Game of Thrones" fans will recognize dozens of locations in the walled city of Dubrovnik, the jewel of Croatia's Adriatic coast. Farther afield, explore the countless waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park or pair European cruises with tastings at underrated wineries. From the storied streets of Rome to the charming canals of Venice, Italy is a country that needs no introduction. Whether you pose with Michelangelo's David in Florence or indulge in to-die-for Pizza in Naples, it's no wonder why so many cruises to Europe visit la bella Italia. Cruising is a fine way to see iconic destinations in Europe, and Royal Caribbean International is offering a range of amazing options with six ships deployed to the region in 2025.
