When it comes to cruising, we are firm believers that Europe is never a bad choice. It’s an area of the world that can be visited many times over and it will feel like a new cruise each trip. From shore to shore, you will experience beauty, history, amazing cuisine, and some of the most welcoming cultures. Of course, if you have never been, an itinerary covering the major ports makes sense. Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome, Venice, and Santorini should all be experienced, but there’s much more to see. So if you’ve had a chance to visit the more traditional ports, plan your next cruise trying out something different.
Become super focused on one area –
Our last cruise on Crystal focused on the Iberian Peninsula. While we set off from Lisbon and disembarked in Barcelona, both ports we have been to before, everything in between was new for us. Making stops in places like Cadiz, Cartagena, Valencia, and Palma. Spending time in a relatively small area (in cruising terms) yet having a wide
range of experiences. It also lets you get to know an area a little better. You can dive deeper into a country’s culture when you learn about the similarities and the differences of neighboring cities and regions.
Try an area you didn’t focus on before –
Did your last cruise focus more on the Amalfi Coast and the French Riviera? Go east and visit the beautiful ports of Croatia, Montenegro, the east coast of Italy, and northern western Greece. Many years back we had an opportunity to visit cities such as Rijeka, Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Katakolon. To this day, the sail into Kotor remains one of the most beautiful we have experienced. It is an amazing 17 miles from the coast to the port. Mountains on either side, feeling as if you’re traveling through fjords. Quite a different feel from the Amalfi coast. It’s worth waking up early to view the beautiful landscape as you come in. Many cruises traveling to this area will start or end in Venice, also one of the most beautiful places on earth.
- One thing to note about docking in Venice. Unless you’re on a very small ship, you will dock further way than in the past. Italy has restricted the size of ships allowed to dock close to the city in an effort to minimize damage done as the massive ships come in and out of port. Just know where your ship will dock when it says “Venice”. Some are a few miles away, some are in Ravenna – two hours away. This matters for transportation plans off ship.
More than the Mediterranean –
It’s easy to just think of the Mediterranean when it comes to cruising in Europe, but head out to the Atlantic, take the turn around the northern coast of Spain and you have some incredible options. Beautiful ports in Northern France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, on and on. You get the point, there’s so much more than the Amalfi Coast…coming from people who really love the Amalfi Coast. If you’ve been to the Mediterranean, take a look at the options in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the Baltic. Cruise lines like Crystal do a great job of offering both cruises that focus on a small area or itineraries that give a great overview of a few countries. A very different feel and worth making an effort to visit.
A few cities we have visited that will add to your cruise experience –
- Valencia, Cartagena, & Bilboa, Spain – Great balance of history and modern city in Valencia. Incredible museums and so many foodie options in Bilboa, and Cartagena is perfect for anyone who loves Roman ruins.
- Taormina & Catania, Sicily – Sicily is a wonderful amalgamation of all those who have invaded it over the years. This has added to the landscape and the culture – both beautiful and rugged.
- Valletta, Malta – If you’re a movie buff, make sure you plan a stop here check out all the locations used for so many films and shows.
- Kotor – Gorgeous going into port with an amazing old city – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Incredible views and history all around.
- Bordeaux – If you can travel to Bordeaux on a ship that is small enough to dock in the city, that will give you a completely different experience. Many say they go to Bordeaux, may really mean Le Verdon on the coast. Still a great port, but nothing like walking off the ship right into town.
- Guernsey/Channel Islands – Plenty of WW2 history, great outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking, and delicious food – what’s not to love?
- Belfast, Northern Ireland – With it’s intense political history and work towards reconciliation and peace, there is so much to take in when visiting Belfast.
- Kilkenny, & Waterford, Ireland – Full of history and a love of festivals, there is a energy to the area that might be a little different than you expect.
Yes, life is really good if you can debate which type of European cruise to take. But if you have the chance, take it. With a little research discovering a new part of Europe that speaks the most to you will make the trip even better.
