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Best European cruises: 6 ships that stand out across the pond
In addition to cruising, Ashley is obsessed with reading, lawn gnomes, pizza, cats, CrossFit, SEO and proper grammar.
July 13, 2024 • 11 min read
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Quick summary
Europe offers a diverse range of cruise options, with itineraries tailored for families, couples, seniors, solo travelers and party-seekers.
Top family-friendly cruises feature immersive kids clubs and themed entertainment, while couples can enjoy upscale ships with inclusive amenities and child-free environments.
Seniors may prefer smaller luxury vessels with gourmet dining and longer itineraries, and solo travelers benefit from ships offering dedicated single cabins and social lounges.
Unique experiences include party-focused cruises with lively onboard atmospheres and Norwegian coastal sailings that visit numerous ports and offer scenic Arctic Circle crossings.
What to consider
Cruise fares, inclusions and itineraries vary widely by ship and season, with some lines offering extras like shore excursions, Wi-Fi and specialty dining in the base price.
Certain ships are adults-only or have exclusive areas for solo travelers, while others cater specifically to families with children.
Itineraries can range from short three-night trips to extended 28-night journeys, with destinations spanning the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and beyond.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed comparisons of specific cruise lines and ships, including standout features and which types of travelers each option best serves.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Prospective cruisers often ask me what the best European cruises are, but that question is difficult to answer because Europe is massive. It encompasses some 45 countries and includes such cruise regions as the Mediterranean, the Baltic and Northern Europe, the British Isles and the Canary Islands.
While cruisers are spoiled for choice in this part of the world, it can be difficult to know where to begin when researching voyages.
To help you out, I’ve narrowed down my favorites for the best cruises to Europe for different types of travelers, including families, couples and solo travelers.
Note: Pricing was accurate at the time of publication. Fares are subject to change without notice.
Best European cruises for families: Disney Fantasy
Disney Fantasy docked at Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Disney Cruise Line is great for kids; if you’re planning a cruise in Europe with children, Disney Fantasy is a logical choice for the best European cruise for families.
Character meet and greets, awe-inspiring nighttime entertainment and fun dining experiences mean your kiddos will never be bored. The ship’s stellar kids clubs go above and beyond with a likeness of Andy’s room from “Toy Story" and Star Wars flight simulators. They can even go to the Marvel Super Hero Academy, where kids can train to become protectors of the universe.
Disney Fantasy is not the line’s newest ship, meaning it’s a bit more manageable in terms of both size and price. It’s not the oldest, either, so families will find more things to do on board than on the line’s smallest vessels.
Ashore, Disney’s family-friendly excursions will take you to laze on the beach, explore museums and learn about history.
In May 2025, Disney Fantasy will begin three- to 12-night cruises to Western Europe, the British Isles and the Mediterranean. Cruise fares start from $362 per person, per night, for a windowless inside cabin. You can visit ports like Glasgow, Scotland, and Liverpool, U.K., on cruises from Southampton, U.K.; you can also visit Florence and Rome (Civitavecchia) on Barcelona sailings.
Viking Star in Bergen, Norway. VIKING OCEAN CRUISES
If you’re a couple seeking an upscale Mediterranean or Northern Europe experience that offers real value and a chance to reconnect with your partner, look no further than Viking.
The line’s Viking Star sails various Northern Europe and Mediterranean itineraries, and the European ports the ship visits offer plenty of opportunities for you to feel the love. Take a pizza-making class together in Italy, or get a little giggly at a wine tasting in Greece.
Viking includes at least one free shore excursion per port in its fares. That means you can wander Europe’s romantic cobblestone streets, hand-in-hand with your sweetie, without paying a penny extra.
While fares aren’t the cheapest you’ll find, you’ll get a lot for your money. In addition to the tours, Viking includes Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and beer and wine with lunch and dinner in its prices.
Plus, all cabins on Viking’s ships have balconies, which is great if you want some fresh air but feel like keeping to yourselves. Complimentary room service is available 24/7, so you can order dinner to your cabin for a charming alfresco dining experience for two.
Want even more ways to pamper yourselves together? Check out the phenomenal thermal suite in the ship’s spa; they offer saunas and steam rooms, tile loungers and aromatherapy rooms at no extra charge. Or, splurge on a couples massage, which will leave both of you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Even better, Viking ships don't allow children on board. It’s a great excuse for you and your significant other to rekindle the romance without other passengers’ kids ruining the vibe.
Through 2025, Viking’s Northern Europe and Mediterranean sailings range from seven to 28 nights. The ship visits ports such as Barcelona; Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice, Italy; Athens and Santorini, Greece; Istanbul; Bergen, Norway; and Reykjavik.
Fares start from $400 per person, per night for a balcony cabin on a Western Mediterranean itinerary.
Best European cruises for seniors: Seabourn Sojourn
Seabourn Sojourn docked in La Palma, Canary Islands. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
If you’re a senior traveler who loves great food and excellent wine, one of the best luxury European cruises you can book is a cruise to the Canary Islands on Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn.
The small ship carries fewer than 500 passengers, and you won’t find raucous parties or tons of children. Instead, you’ll be met with stellar service, gourmet food, a room with a view (all cabins have at least a window), and relative peace and quiet. The long itineraries are ideal for wealthier passengers with lots of time to travel.
Seabourn Sojourn’s voyages to the Canaries span 12 to 26 days and visit the islands of La Palma, Gran Canaria and Madeira; they also visit Lisbon. Fares start from $314 per person, per night for a suite on a March 2025 sailing. Extras like Wi-Fi, gratuities and alcohol (including the in-room minibar) are rolled into the fares.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic. MICHELE VERDURE/NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
When Norwegian Epic debuted in 2010, it introduced Norwegian Cruise Line‘s first cabins for solo travelers. Designed with single beds and a bit less square footage, these so-called studio cabins are clustered around an exclusive lounge reserved for solos. Special activities allow folks traveling alone to mingle and make new friends.
Since Norwegian Epic began sailing, nearly all of the line’s new ships — Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva — have been built with accommodations for one, which don't charge occupants a single supplement. However, it’s Norwegian Epic that has a presence in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, offering solo cruisers a chance to explore Europe on a ship with cabins just for them.
On board, passengers have plenty of choices for activities and dining. In addition to the usual cruise-ship offerings — pool games, dance parties, game shows, trivia and movie screenings — Epic offers many fun diversions. Options include an adults-only beach club at the back of the ship, spa treatments, a bowling alley and even gaming lessons (the latter three for a fee).
The vessel sails six- to 12-night voyages, round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), calling on ports that include Naples and Florence (Livorno), Italy; Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza, Spain; Marseille and Cannes, France; and Mykonos and Santorini, Greece, among others. At press time, studio fares started at $161 per night for a 12-night sailing. The voyage includes a two-night pre-cruise stay with tours of Rome and features port calls on Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu, Greece; Valletta (Malta); and Sicily, Naples and Florence (Livorno), Italy.
Best European party cruises: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady
Rendering of Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady. VIRGIN VOYAGES
If your Europe bucket list includes the Greek islands, you don’t want to sail with children and you enjoy a lively party atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with Virgin Voyages‘ Resilient Lady. The third ship in the line’s fleet, Resilient Lady offers some of the best cruises to the Greek Islands and other places in the Mediterranean.
Expect a casual vibe where passengers dress up like mermaids, crew dress up like drag queens and performers look like real people. Toss in an onboard tattoo parlor, a food court (it’s not a buffet), free fitness classes and an app that lets you order Champagne to wherever you are on the ship; you get a product that has turned the cruise industry on its head.
Wild nights on board include raucous and sometimes raunchy theater shows, impromptu dance parties and Scarlet Night — a poolside bash reminiscent of a rave where everyone’s dressed in red. If you attend enough daily activities, you might even be invited to a secret nighttime tour of the crew bar, drinks included.
The ship offers a regular program of seven- to 11-night voyages. Prices start from $174 per person, per night for an inside cabin on an eight-night cruise to France, Italy and Greece in April 2025.
Best European cruises for ‘wow’ factor: Hurtigruten’s Richard With
Hurtigruten's Richard With cruise ship. STIAN KLO/HURTIGRUTEN CRUISES
Looking for a sailing that no other cruise line offers and one that will make everyone on TikTok and Instagram jealous? I’m putting my money on a line you’ve likely never heard of: Hurtigruten.
The line began more than 130 years ago as a way for Norway’s residents to move themselves and cargo up and down the Norwegian coast. It continues today as both a means of transportation and a way for cruisers to experience the country’s culture.
On the cruise line’s Norwegian Coastal Express route, Hurtigruten’s Richard With ship calls on more than 30 ports in just six or seven days (depending on itinerary). Some are quick stops in the middle of the night while cargo is loaded and unloaded, but you could get off the ship in each port if you really wanted to. That in itself makes this itinerary buzzworthy.
Still need convincing? These voyages also cross into the Arctic Circle and sail into Geirangerfjord (northbound from Bergen to Kirkenes) and Trollfjord (southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen). The route affords absolutely breathtaking views and, of course, bragging rights.
The two routes can be combined into longer 13-day sailings, meaning you’d sail round-trip from Bergen and see all the fjords. Seven-night northbound itineraries from Bergen to Kirkenes start at $137 per person, per night for an inside cabin.
Bottom line
Ultimately, the best cruise to Europe is a bit subjective in that it depends where in Europe you’d like to go and what your travel style is. Be sure to weigh a combination of destination, price and onboard vibe when deciding which is best for you and your travel party.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
