Best European Ocean Cruises in 2016
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Cruises Editor
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Europe delivers huge value as a cruise destination. You can access a range of countries and cultures with ease, or even several countries in one day if you consider the proximity of ports. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), Australia is the world’s fastest growing source of cruise passengers in the world, even outranking North America. The most popular destinations are the South Pacific and domestic ports around Australia and New Zealand, closely followed by Europe.
On a European cruise, you can see some of the world’s great cultural icons such as the Roman Colosseum, the Acropolis in Athens, Granada’s Alhambra palace in Spain, Renaissance Masterpieces in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery; the French Riviera and the dazzling sights of St Petersburg. Then there’s the eye-popping culture shock of Istanbul, the ancient cities of Pompeii and Ephesus, the sheer beauty and charm of Greek island Santorini with its whitewashed houses overlooking a spectacular caldera, while Palermo is a fantasia of baroque architecture.
Here are some of the best European oceans cruises in 2016, with itineraries ranging from 7-14 days.
Cunard Line
Australians love the heritage and tradition of Cunard’s ships as much as they love their Mediterranean cruises. Cunard is offering a range of new Eastern Mediterranean itineraries in the 2016 season, with 7-, 14- and 21-night trip options. They will also offer 9-12 night cruises, with departures from Venice, Barcelona or Istanbul between July and October.
Queen Victoria 14-night sailing, departing Venice August 20, 2016. Visits Dubrovnik, Heraklion (Crete), Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Santorini, Athens, Dardanelles, Istanbul (overnight), Rhodes and Mykonos and Athens.
Princess Cruises
A firm favourite with Australian cruisers, Princess Cruises deliver outstanding holidays with truly immersive itineraries.
The Royal Princess offers a 14-night itinerary from Barcelona to Athens, departing May 7, 2016. Visits Marseille, Genoa, Livorno, Tunis, Palermo, Rome, Crete, Naples (for Pompeii), Istanbul and Mykonos.
Easily the best way to tackle Scandinavia and Russia is by sea. Princess Cruises delivers you to the doorstep of centuries-old harbours, cobbled laneways and vast museums.
The Emerald Princess has a 14-night round-trip from London, departing July 9, 2016. Visits Zeebrugge (for Bruges), Copenhagen, Stockholm, Tallinn, St Petersburg (2 nights), Helsinki and Gdańsk (Poland).
Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL)
NCL is all about contemporary lifestyle on large resort-style ships. They were also the first line to introduce alternative dining options.
The Norwegian Epic is offering a 10-night round-trip cruise from Barcelona, departing March 6, 2016. Visits Atlantic island ports Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Funchal, Madeira, and Granada (Malaga, for the Alhambra), then intriguing Tangier (Morocco) and its mysterious medina.
Silversea Cruises
For those who love small-ship chic, the all-inclusive Silversea Cruises deliver relaxed and friendly ambience. And because their ships are smaller, they can access ports that larger ships can’t.
The Silver Spirit offers a nine-day cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), departing May 23, 2016 visiting Sete, Cannes – hub of the French Riviera, Ajaccio (Corsica, birthplace of Napoleon), Monte Carlo (2 nights) for the Grand Prix, along the Portofino coast, to Genoa, Livorno (Pisa and Florence) and finally Rome.
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