Europe Cruises

Not only is Europe incredibly diverse, but it’s also easily accessible on cruises from Southampton; helping you to enjoy a stress-free holiday without needing to fly. In Europe, small countries with richly diverse culture, history and cuisine are all packed tightly together: the epic landscapes of Norway, the Renaissance architecture and gastronomic heritage of the Mediterranean, the multi-layered history of Northern Europe… need we go on? On a European cruise, you’ll soak up a range of experiences in a way that’s hassle-free and luxurious. 

•    Easy to plan – when you join us on a European cruise, you won’t have to worry about booking connecting flights, rail travel or accommodation. We bring the best of Europe to you, while you relax in the modern luxury of one of our ships.
•    Efficient – see as many destinations as possible in one trip. On one of our cruises, you’ll go to sleep in Spain, and wake up in Italy.
•    Economic – when you cruise with us, you’ll book everything in one go, saving you both time and money.

There are almost too many to count, but here are just a few of our favourite experiences in Europe. 

•    The architecture of Barcelona. From the Sagrada Familia to Parc Güell, Antoni Gaudí’s legacy lives on in the distinctive, intricate architecture of Barcelona. 
•    The artistic heritage of Italy. Visit the art galleries and museums of Italy to see some of the world’s most famous masterpieces up close. Highlights include Florence’s Uffizi Gallery and Rome’s Pantheon.
•    Norway’s spectacular landscapes. Sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords is an experience like none other on earth. 
•    The food. From the indulgent classics of France to the up-and-coming culinary talent of Oslo, a trip through Europe is a gastronomic journey. 
•    Island sunsets. Head to the Greek island of Santorini to watch the sun set over the caldera. 

The typical climate varies across Europe. Northern Europe is cooler, with averages of 27 degrees in the summer and -6 degrees in the winter. In the Mediterranean, you can expect 31 degrees and hotter in the summer and 8 degrees in the winter. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, summer clothes such as shorts and T-shirts are essential. Bring your swimming gear if you plan on enjoying the beaches of Mykonos or the glamorous Amalfi Coast. It’s a good idea to bring layers as the weather can grow cooler in the evenings. Here’s some more information about what you should pack for your Celebrity cruise:

•    What should I pack for my Celebrity cruise 
•    Packing information 

Europe straddles a number of time zones: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Central Europe (CST), and Eastern Europe (EET). 
•    GMT – Iceland, UK, Ireland, Jersey 
•    CET – Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden
•    EET– Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece 

A European cruise represents a delicious journey through cuisines. In Italy, it’s all about juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes, silky pasta and valleys of fragrant lemon trees (not to mention the gelato). You’ll find oily fish, extra virgin olive oil and flavoursome cheeses across the Mediterranean, while in Northern Europe, comforting meat stews and pickled vegetables take centre stage. During a Greek cruise, tuck into fresh and nourishing salads of olives and feta, while in Spain, don’t miss paella filled with juicy prawns and salty chorizo.

Europe is generally thought to be a safe destination to visit, although incidents do pop up from time to time. Certain countries are currently considered safer than others – guests are advised to inform themselves of any incidents or dangerous situations before travel on GOV.uk. We also always advise our guests to be vigilant about their personal safety when visiting any country. Find out more safety information. 

We’ve created some tips to help with any confusion – check out our guide to Brexit and travelling to help make your European cruise as smooth as possible. 

Northern Europe: The summer (between May and September) is the best time to take a northern Europe cruise. This is when you’ll have the best chance of sunny weather and tourist attractions being open.

Mediterranean: The Mediterranean becomes very hot and busy in the summer, so the best times to visit are in the spring (April-June) or the autumn (September and October) when the temperatures are still warm and there are fewer crowds.

Central Europe: The summer months are the best time to take a cruise to central Europe, as the temperatures will be mild.