Top 5 Best European Cruises 2013

30 Jul 2013 by Olga Brighton

Travel Information

Whatever economic situation the rest of the world may be experiencing these days, it seems like no one bothered to inform the almost 21 million people who went on a cruise in 2012. British vacationers, who live in an island where the weather isn’t as nice as the locals would like it to be, are leading the way, as more than 1.7 million of them sailed off on vacation out of a total of about 6 million European cruise holidaymakers.

A European cruise is of course a perennial favourite, as the ships are often top-notch and the port cities in the itineraries are always intriguing and spectacular. There are loads of cruise lines sailing around Europe, and vacationers have their choice of destinations and ships.

But if you’re going on a cruise, don’t forget to get some travel insurance. The best travel insurance for cruises can cover not just your luggage and your fare should the trip be cancelled but can offer you health coverage as well. Your current medical insurance may not cover you if you travel on a foreign-flagged vessel even if you are travelling on your own country’s waters. Your insurance may not also cover you if you’re abroad. But by purchasing the best travel insurance for cruises, you will have some peace of mind and protection against the unexpected.

So if you want to go on a cruise nearer to home this summer, here are the best European cruises for 2013:

Princess Cruises 12-Night Western Europe Cruise

For a relaxed visit around Western Europe, a 12-night cruise is ideal. Princess Cruises is offering such a cruise aboard their crew ship Caribbean Princess.

night European Cruise

Ports of call:

  • St. Peter Port (Guernsey), England
  • Southampton, England
  • Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Cobh (Cork), Ireland
  • Dublin, Ireland
  • Invergordon, Scotland
  • Kirkwall, Scotland
  • Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland
  • South Queensferry, Scotland
  • Le Havre (Paris), France

An ocean view cabin goes for just £1199, and the sailing date is on July 11.

MSC Cruises10-Night Western Europe Cruise

You’ll sail across the seas on the MSC Opera, with sailing dates on the 6th, 16th, and 26th of July. On the 6th, the interior cabins will cost £599, with the ocean view and balcony cabins priced at £699. For a suite, you’ll have to shell out £2439. On the 16th and 26th, the interior cabins will cost £699 and the ocean view and balcony cabins will go for £849. There’ll be a discount for the suites, which will go for only £1219.

night cruise

Ports of call:

  • Southampton, England
  • Vigo, Spain
  • Bilbao, Spain
  • St. Peter Port, Guernsey
  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Ijmuiden, Netherlands
  • Le Havre (Paris), France

Cruise & Maritime Voyages 1-Night Western Europe Cruise

Some people may not have the time to go on a long cruise, and for those who are extremely busy this is just absolutely perfect. An overnight cruise can also work as a truly spectacular romantic date, or it can be a test to see of you can take to a cruise vacation if you haven’t tried it before.

The ports of call are Leixoes (Oporto), UK, Essex, Portugal and Tilbury and the sailing date is on the 13th of July.

Celebrity Cruises 14-Night Northern Europe Cruise

Celebrity Cruises is renowned for their ships, and the Celebrity Eclipse won’t ever allow you to get bored during your 2-week stay. The interior cabin will set you back £949 and the most expensive suite will cost £2349. The sailing date is on the 6th of July.

celebrity cruise

Ports of call:

  • Southampton, England
  • Akureyri, Iceland
  • Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Stavanger, Norway
  • Kristiansund, Norway
  • Geiranger, Norway
  • Flaam, Norway
  • Faroe Islands, Denmark

P&O Cruises 17-Night Europe Cruise

If you have all the time in the world, then what are you waiting for? On this cruise the Aurora-UK will take you on a leisurely vacation from Southampton, England to the following: night cruise liner

  • Valletta, Malta
  • Cadiz (Seville), Spain
  • Venice, Italy
  • Messina, Sicily, Italy
  • Gibraltar, United Kingdom
  • Corfu, Greece
  • Dubrovnik, Croatia

The sailing date is on the 26th of July, with cabins starting at £1299.

With all these options, there’s no reason why you have to stay landlocked all summer. So sail on the seas and discover the romance that millions have already experienced for themselves. Just don’t forget about getting the global travel insurance for cruises for yourself and your loved ones!

Read relevant articles:

Best Cruise Routes for Spring Vacation

When the going gets tough, the Brits go cruising

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