Western Europe Cruise Vacations

European tours are popular with both Europeans and Americans, and the opportunity to see several of the world's most famous cities on a single vacation without packing and unpacking dozens of times is very appealing. Cruises along the coasts of Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are scenic enough in themselves, and ports such as Dover, Bilboa, and Brussels offer chances for exploration and sightseeing.

Many of Europe's best-known landmarks can be seen on one of these cruises. Cathedrals, museums and castles are popular destinations for shore excursions, as well as just hanging out at an English pub or enjoying a glass of wine in the vineyards of France. Of course, return every night to your own room and receive the same level of service throughout your trip.

A western European cruise is surprisingly accessible for North Americans, with flight times from the East Coast of seven to nine hours and frequent seasonal deals on airfare. When the dollar is weak against the pound and the euro, the savings you'll make on hotel and restaurant bills over a multi-day trip truly making touring Europe by cruise ship more and more appealing.

Things To Do

Along the western Atlantic coast, you'll find a world of splendor and delight in the many historic and memorable ports of call. Starting with Casablanca in Morocco, with its famous street markets and exotic mosques, the African coast comes near to meeting Europe at the Strait of Gibraltar, then continues north along the coast of Portugal. Here you'll find Lisbon, steeped in history and culture at the intriguing medieval quarter of Alfama or the charming seaside district of Belem.

Continuing north, you'll encounter the coast of northern Spain, with the legendary wine country of the Basque region and ports such as Vigo, home of architectural wonders, and Bilbao with the famous Guggenheim Museum. Then it's on to the coast of France; visit Bordeaux or take a short trip inland to Paris for a taste of the French countryside. Most cruises in Australia and New Zealand operate one-way between Auckland and Sydney, or the reverse. This makes it easy to spend important extra time on land before and after the cruise to get the most out of your vacation. The coastline gets more beautiful as you continue north to the British isles. From the maritime history at Southampton to the rugged green beauty of Ireland, this countryside is steeped in history, tradition, and beauty. The rugged cliffs and flowering heath of Scotland mark the northern extent of your journey, unless continuing on to the Shetland Islands or Iceland.

Ports of Call

Western European cruises generally focus on ports along the western coasts of Spain, Portugal, France, England and sometimes Brussels and the Netherlands. A typical cruise will makes calls in some of the following ports:

Vigo Lisbon Cadiz/Seville

Bilboa Rotterdam

Brussels Le Havre

Some cruises also include Morocco and the Canary Islands off the coast. Ports for these cruises include:

Casablanca Agadir

Tenerife

Funchal

A cruise around the British Isles with stops in in Ireland, Scotland and Wales is another popular trip in Western Europe. Ports include:

Belfast Cork Cornwall Waterford

Holyhead Dublin Edinburgh Glasgow/Greenock

Kirkwall Invergordon Plymouth

Season / Trip Lengths / Departure Ports

Cruises depart anytime from spring through fall. British Isle itineraries tend to be closer to the middle of summer when the weather is most agreeable. Western European cruises typically depart from the United Kingdom ports of Dover or Southampton and are roundtrip.