Frommer's European Cruises & Ports Of Call (frommer's Cruises)

FrommerвЂTMs European Cruises & Ports of Call coversВ more than two dozenВ American and European cruise lines andВ about 80В ships, with full details on itineraries, rates, cabins, crews, cuisine, activities and entertainment, children's programs, pools and spas, fitness facilities, passenger profiles, and more. ThereвЂTMs complete coverage of 45 European ports of call, from the Mediterranean to northern Europe to the British Isles, discussing attractions close to the port, the best excursions (both organized and on your own), and the best shopping buys.YouвЂTMll also get valuable tips on booking your cruise at the best price and getting a good deal on air travel to and from Europe. Team DDU......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 List of Maps......Page 9 Introduction......Page 14 4 Best Ships for Families......Page 19 8 Best Ships for Pampering......Page 20 10 Best Cuisine......Page 21 13 Best Ports......Page 22 14 Best Shore Excursions......Page 23 Part 1: Planning, Booking & Preparing for Your Cruise......Page 24 1 The European Cruise Season......Page 26 2 European Cruise Itineraries......Page 27 3 Choosing Your Ship......Page 30 4 Matching the Cruise to Your Needs......Page 33 Family Cruising Tips......Page 34 1 The Scoop on Cruise Fares......Page 38 2 Extra Costs to Consider......Page 41 What's Not Included in Your Cruise Fare......Page 43 3 Booking Through a Travel Agent......Page 44 4 Choosing Your Cabin......Page 47 5 Choosing Your Dining Options......Page 50 6 Deposits & Cancellation Policies......Page 51 8 Travel Insurance......Page 52 1 Passports & Visas......Page 54 2 Money Matters......Page 55 4 Packing......Page 59 1 Getting Started: Checking In & Boarding......Page 62 What Happens if Your Bags Get Lost?......Page 65 2 An Introduction to Onboard Activities......Page 67 3 An Introduction to Onboard Entertainment......Page 69 4 Shipboard Gyms & Spas......Page 70 5 An Introduction to Shipboard Dining......Page 72 6 Onboard Shopping Opportunities......Page 73 7 Sundry Shipboard Services & Facilities......Page 74 8 Wrapping Up Your Cruise-Debarkation Concerns......Page 75 Part 2: The Cruise Lines & Their Ships......Page 80 About the Ratings......Page 82 5 The American Mainstream Lines......Page 84 1 Celebrity Cruises......Page 85 2 Holland America Line......Page 94 Preview:Westerdam......Page 104 3 Norwegian Cruise Line......Page 105 4 Oceania Cruises......Page 112 5 Orient Lines......Page 118 6 Princess Cruises......Page 123 7 Royal Caribbean International......Page 133 6 The European Lines......Page 140 A Word About SOLAS......Page 141 1 Costa Cruises......Page 142 Preview:Costa Fortuna & Costa Magica......Page 156 2 First European Cruises (Festival Cruises)......Page 158 3 Norwegian Coastal Voyage......Page 166 Norwegian Coastal's Older Ships: A Retro Coastal Adventure......Page 167 4 Royal Olympia......Page 173 5 Swan Hellenic Cruises......Page 184 7 The Luxury & Ultra-Luxury Lines......Page 191 Freebies for the Ultra-Luxury Set......Page 192 1 Crystal Cruises......Page 193 2 Cunard Line......Page 204 Preview: Queen Mary 2......Page 213 3 Radisson Seven Seas Cruises......Page 215 4 Seabourn Cruise Line......Page 222 5 SeaDream Yacht Club......Page 230 6 Silversea Cruises......Page 236 7 Windstar Cruises......Page 244 8 The Alternative Lines......Page 252 1 Clipper Cruise Line......Page 253 2 Lindblad Expeditions......Page 258 3 Star Clippers......Page 262 9 River Cruises......Page 270 Part 3: Ports of Call......Page 276 1 Debarkation in Port......Page 278 Currency Conversion Chart......Page 279 2 Shore Excursions......Page 280 3 Touring the Ports on Your Own......Page 281 1 Croatia......Page 282 2 The French Riviera & Monte Carlo......Page 285 3 Greece......Page 290 4 Italy......Page 302 Portofino......Page 314 5 Malta......Page 315 6 Portugal......Page 318 7 Spain......Page 322 Gibraltar......Page 333 8 Turkey......Page 334 1 Belgium......Page 341 2 Denmark......Page 345 3 England......Page 350 Remembering Diana......Page 354 4 Estonia......Page 355 5 Finland......Page 358 6 France......Page 361 7 Germany......Page 363 Alster Lake Boat Tour......Page 365 8 Ireland......Page 368 9 The Netherlands (Holland)......Page 377 The Ladies of the Night......Page 381 10 Norway......Page 385 11 Russia......Page 393 Important Visa Information......Page 395 12 Scotland......Page 397 13 Sweden......Page 400 Index......Page 405

A cruise is a complete vacation, so it's important that you choose the one that's right for you. Frommer's European Cruises & Ports of Call is the most user-friendly, opinionated, and informative guide you can buy before you set sail. Unlike other guides that try to cover cruises around the entire world in one volume, we focus solely on Europe in this guide, so we can bring you much more in-depth coverage.

Unlike those used in other guides, our rating system is simple. We break down the essential elements of a cruise experience (dining, activities, children's activities, entertainment, service, overall enjoyment, and overall value), and rate them from "poor" to "outstanding." Photos of each ship combine with the text to give a better sense of the very real differences among the various lines.

Frommer's European Cruises & Ports of Call covers 31 American and European cruise lines and 82 ships, with full details on itineraries, rates, cabins, crews, cuisine, activities and entertainment, children's programs, pools and spas, fitness facilities, passenger profiles, and more. There's complete coverage of 45 European ports of call, from the Mediterranean to northern Europe to the British Isles, discussing attractions close to the port, the best excursions (both organized and on your own), and the best shopping buys. You'll also get valuable tips on booking your cruise at the best price and getting a good deal on air travel to and from Europe.

There are many things you should consider before plunking down big bucks for the perfect European cruise.