There are a number of amazing European cruise lines. Booking with them will allow you to sail from Europe all the way across the world. You can stick with local itineraries and visit historic locations throughout the continent or you can head far away for a stunning adventure. But with so many great cruise lines to choose from, how do you know which to pick? While the perfect company will inevitably vary between each traveler, these European cruise lines will always make excellent choices.
One of the best cruise lines to start with when planning a European vacation is Viking. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company has both ocean and river cruising divisions. Their six-ship fleet flies under the Norwegian flag, and they are a popular choice for visiting the fjords of the Nordic country. Additionally, each ship is quite modern and comfortable, and guests often leave excellent reviews. They have itineraries throughout Scandinavia, Northern Europe, and the Mediterranean. While Viking’s doesn’t offer many affordable cruises, you certainly get what you pay for in terms of luxury. No matter where you are going, you’ll be pleased with a Viking cruise.
Speaking of luxury cruises, another great European cruise line is Hapag-Lloyd. While it may be less well-known than some of its competitors, that is certainly not due to the quality of their voyages. The lowkey cruise line sails across the entire world — and we mean that literally. From Antarctica to the Arctic and everything in between, Hapag-Lloyd has itineraries. Their Eastern Mediterranean cruises are quite popular, and they’ll let you view a culturally rich side of the world that is perfect for those that want to load up on history. Hapag-Lloyd also offers packages that include travel to and from the departure destination, making things as convenient as possible for travelers from anywhere in the world.
A list of European cruise lines wouldn’t be complete without talking about a river cruise line. One of the best is Tauck. They have itineraries on the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhone, and Seine, in addition to river cruises in other continents. Most of their river cruises are at least a week long, allowing the chance to fully experience all the stops along the way. You can read more about Tauck’s approach to river cruises on their website.
The world of European cruise lines is very exciting. Whether you’re interested in river adventures or ocean travel, there’s a great cruise line to choose from. All of these companies will treat you well!