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A brief history of cruising in Europe

Carrie Finley-Bajak — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:57:23 +0000

European waterways essential to life and trade

The Thames: London's river with a big history

The rivers and seas of Europe have always been essential to life and trade. But, until the mid-1800s, European boats and ships were only concerned with moving cargo or hauling in the day’s catch – not with passengers or their comfort.

In 1835, Arthur Anderson, a sailor from the Shetland Isles, wrote about his vision of providing passenger service from Scotland to Iceland in the summer months, and from Scotland to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in winter. Two years later, he co-founded the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), which became a major operator of passenger liners.

The mail route and birth of the trans-Atlantic cruise

Other shipping lines, which got their start by carrying mail across the Atlantic, began to offer passenger service. More ships began to consider the comfort of passengers: in 1840 the Britannia, the first ship to sail under the Cunard Line name, reportedly took a cow on board to supply fresh milk on a trans-Atlantic crossing.

The emergence of elegance at sea – luxury cruising

By the early 1900s, European passenger ships had taken on the characteristics of elegant, floating hotels. However, World Wars I and II interrupted the building of new cruise ships, and many ships were pressed into service as troop transports.

Interest in trans-Atlantic cruising surged between the wars and again after World War II, but the introduction of trans-Atlantic flights put a damper on that era. During the 1960s and 70s, the European cruise industry slowly refocused on sailing the coasts and rivers of the continent.

Today, discover Europe all over again via cruise ship

Regent Seven Seas

Today, multiple cruise lines visit an amazing variety of European ports. Major cruise lines that sail Europe include the contemporary lines Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line; premium and deluxe lines Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises; and luxury lines Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Uniworld and Viking River Cruises. Uniworld River Cruises and Viking River Cruises are noteworthy because they cruise the rivers of Europe – the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and more – providing access to inland cities and villages.

The big four – Northern Europe, British Isles, Western Med, Eastern Med

European cruises cover four regions: The Baltic and Northern Europe; the British Isles and Western Europe; the Western Mediterranean; and the Eastern Mediterranean. Some cruise itineraries focus on ports in one region, while longer cruises may include ports in two or more regions.

A cruise of Northern Europe might include the stunning fjords of Norway’s west coast. Or, choose a Baltic-based itinerary, enjoying Scandinavian capitals like Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki. Some cruises also visit Russia’s jewel of the Baltic, St. Petersburg.

Cruises of the British Isles and Western Europe often launch from London and may stop at Inverness and Edinburgh, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Hamburg, Germany; and Le Havre (for Paris), France.

Western Mediterranean itineraries can stretch from Gibraltar and coastal Spain to the west coast of Italy. Ports of call might include Cannes and other cities on the French Riviera; and the Italian ports of Livorno (for Florence), Citavecchia (for Rome) and Naples. Some itineraries also call on the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and Malta.

The Eastern Mediterranean includes a classic cruise destination– the Greek Isles. However, there is much more to see, including the ports of Croatia (Dubrovnik and Hvar); the gorgeous, watery city of Venice, Italy; and the exotic ports of Turkey (Istanbul, Izmir and Kusadasi).

With so many places to see, deciding on a European itinerary can be challenging. Luckily there are numerous resources available to help make a decision. Consider using a travel agent to help get the best value for your time to match the right cruise to your lifestyle.

Listing of Cruise Lines Twitter Accounts

Carrie Finley-Bajak — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:48:54 +0000

Social media made easy – Cruise Lines and their Twitter Handles

Use this quick list of popular cruise lines and their Twitter account handles for #TravelTuesday, #CruiseChat, or #FollowFriday.

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River cruising on the Rhine

Carrie Finley-Bajak — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:46:00 +0000

The many castles and old fortifications on the slopes along Europe’s Rhine river provide evidence that this has been an important waterway for many centuries. A modern-day cruise on this mighty river is like a living history lesson, combined with the wonderful scenery and cultures of Europe.

The Rhine originates high in the Swiss Alps, flowing through or along the borders of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands before it reaches the North Sea. Many cruises of the river sail between Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Basel, Switzerland.

Popular port calls for Rhine cruises include the village of Kinderdijk in the Netherlands, which has a network of 19 classic windmills constructed around 1740. You can learn about how windmills are built and how they work to help control flooding in this beautiful, low-lying country.

Cologne, often called the Jewel of the Rhine, is the cultural capital of western Germany’s Rhineland. The city’s famous Gothic-style cathedral, which was under construction from 1298 to 1880, houses a shrine said to contain relics of the Three Magi. Spectacular examples of medieval architecture abound in the city, from the ancient city gates to patrician houses and a dozen Romanesque churches. Mixed with these historic structures are skyscrapers, museums and stylish shopping areas.

Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region of northeastern France, combines strong French and Germanic traditions. The Cathedral of Our Lady has an incredible astronomical clock that features a procession of life-size figures of the Apostles twice each day. See the Grand Ile, an island in the Ill River that is the historic, medieval center of the city; or stroll among the wonderful buildings of the University of Strasbourg. Strasbourg is also home to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

Depending on the length of your cruise, you may also see the red rooftops of Heidelberg, Germany; stop in Breisach, the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest; or spend a morning in Arnhem, the Netherlands, a town rich in World War II history. Some Rhine-based cruises let you experience even more of Europe’s interior by including some time on connecting rivers like the Moselle, Main and Danube.

River cruising guide

Carrie Finley-Bajak — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:11:45 +0000

River cruising—a better way to explore

River cruising is, quite simply, the best way to travel through many of the world’s most fascinating places. Comfortable, convenient and safe, it offers a greater variety of destinations than you could not encounter any other way—and lets you get in-depth exposure to the culture and history of each region. Both experienced and first-time travelers have discovered the joys of river cruising, making it the fastest-growing segment of the cruising industry.

With the banks of the river along each side its easy to see why River cruising is GREAT. The ship will usually pull up right in the heart of the small cities/villages and just short walk to the pulse of the centre. Imagine! Stepping off your floating hotel into towns/cities like Amsterdam, Budapest, Moscow, Cairo or Beijing.

Enjoy the local culture & history by exploring on your own or taking one of the included walking tours with an English speaking guide.

River Cruising

View more presentations from Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo.

New cruise ships for 2009

Carrie Finley-Bajak — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:48:40 +0000

2009 has brought a wealth of new and soon-to-debut cruise ships that are dazzling experienced cruisers as well as those sailing for the first time.

A sister ship to the fabulous Celebrity Seolstice, the Celebrity Equinox has the same innovative features. These include the Lawn Club, a country club-style outdoor space with real, growing grass for croquet, golf and picnics; the Hot Glass Show, the first glass-blowing studio at sea; and a choice of 10 restaurants that offer everything from Asian fusion to classic French cuisine. The ship will first sail the Norwegian Fjords and a “best of Europe” itinerary before repositioning to Ft. Lauderdale to sail the Caribbean.

The eagerly anticipated Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean promises many incredible firsts at sea, including an onboard zip line, a water-based outdoor theater and loft-style staterooms. Each of seven “neighborhoods” on board will have a distinct theme and feeling: for example, the Boardwalk will bring the uninhibited fun of Coney Island to mind, while Central Park will be an incredible indoor/outdoor space adorned with real grass and trees. Set to debut in November, the ship will alternate sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

For a new experience in luxury cruising, Silversea Cruises’ elegant new Silver Spirit will debut in December. The cruise line promises that the ship will provide more balconies, dining choices and amenities than any other ship in its fleet. The all-suite accommodations will include sitting areas, walk-in closets and marbled baths with full-size bathtubs. Nearly all suites will have their own private teak wood verandahs, plus attentive service from a stewardess or butler. The Silver Spirit’s inaugural season will include a wide variety of destinations in the U.S., Mexico, South America and Europe.

The Yachts of Seabourn welcomed Seabourn Odyssey to the fleet in June. The 450-passenger ship has one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the cruise industry, the largest spa on any luxury cruise vessel and nearly one crew member per guest. The ship is sailing the Caribbean until it embarks on Seabourn’s first world cruise, a 108-day voyage departing January 5, 2010.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduced two new river cruise ships this spring. The River Beatrice, which sails on Europe’s Danube, has French balconies in the majority of its staterooms so that guests can enjoy expansive views. The River Tosca cruises the exotic Nile and has 42 lavish suites equipped with French balconies, flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations. Both ships have sun decks, fitness centers and 24-hour tea and coffee bars – the Tosca even has a pool, a rarity on a river cruise ship.

No less than four swimming pools – including one with a retractable roof – make MSC’s Splendida stand out. Each evening, the 150 fountains in the AquaPark pool splash to the accompaniment of synchronized lights and music. Of the ship’s 1,637 staterooms, 99 spacious suites are part of the MSC Yacht Club. Guests in this VIP area enjoy luxurious amenities and 24-hour butler service. The Splendida is currently sailing the Mediterranean and will also travel along Europe’s Atlantic coast.

September will bring the launch of the Carnival Dream. The ship will feature several new types of staterooms, including “cove” balcony staterooms located closer to the waterline and staterooms that can accommodate five guests – ideal for many families. The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café area, is designed as a comfortable oasis by day and a lively entertainment venue by night. The Dream will begin service by sailing Mediterranean cruises, then will reposition to Port Canaveral for seven-day Caribbean cruises.

To find out how you can sail on one (or more) of these fabulous new ships, talk with your personal cruise expert at Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo 949-215-6700 or 888-203-3012.