Best cruise lines for European Cruises
The best cruise lines for european cruises as ranked by verified reviews submitted over the past 12 months. This list is continuously updated as we receive new reviews from our members, so be sure to check back often! Note, a minimum of 40 reviews are required to be part of this list.
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Expect a true British cruising experience aboard comfortable, intimate and inviting vessels. Enjoy traditional formal dining or a more relaxed experience in the buffet restaurant. Stay active at the fitness center, lounge by the pool or work on your golf game. Along with afternoon tea, an internet cafe and evening cabaret productions are just some of the highlights onboard...
Viking is already well-known for their European river cruises, so they are a shoo-in for being a fantastic ocean-going choice in the region too. The cozy, Scandinavian-style ships are perfect for visiting historic and beautiful cities in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and the line has a particular focus on voyages through Scandinavia and the eastern Mediterranean.
In Europe, Windstar operates a multitude of voyages throughout the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Iceland, Scandinavia, Morocco, and more. Ships call on many familiar bucket-list ports, as well as visit lesser-known ones because of the smaller ship size. These include Souda, Crete; Riga, Latvia; Almeria, Spain; Monopoli, Italy; and Portrush, Northern Ireland.
P&O Cruises is one of the most recognizable names in European cruising. As the oldest cruise line in the world, P&O has established a presence in European destinations that include Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, British Isles, Italy, Spain, Norway, and — of course — England.
When it comes to cruising the Meditteranean, Azamara offers among the best top-notch luxury sailings complete with fully immersive experiences in the region. The line sails to Mediterranean regions including the Greek Isles, Amalfi Coast, French Riviera, the Adriatic, and more.
Marella Cruises is a distinctly British cruise line, and most passengers who sail with them are from the UK. More is included in the cruise fare than with mainstream American-based lines, such as gratuities and standard alcoholic beverages. Travelers who choose Marella are generally over 50, but during school breaks and summer holiday, more families with young kids can be ...
Uniworld sails a wide variety of luxury river cruises throughout the entire European region. Central European itineraries include voyages on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle rivers. Uniworld also sails in-depth, longer itineraries through the rivers of France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
The majority of Oceania’s fleet operates cruises through Europe for at least part of the year. The line covers northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and even the Middle East on sailings that range from 7 nights to extended 50+ night adventures. Ships visit a huge variety of destinations, including over a dozen ports each in the UK, Norway, Italy, and Greece.
Cunard offers a unique tour of the Mediterranean with longer voyages starting at 14 nights. Voyages commonly depart in Southampton (London) and may include port stops in Barcelona, Cannes, Gibraltar, Porto, Dubrovnik, and others.
The region where Viking is most well-known and has the most river ships is Europe. With dozens of vessels sailing on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and more, there’s a European itinerary to fit everyone’s fancy. The line’s focus on immersive destination experiences is perfect for those who are mainly cruising for the ports. But on Viking, the journey is just as memorable.