Cruise Europe with Celebrity Cruises

 
Visiting Europe is an instinctive thing for Kiwis – so many of our forefathers came from Europe and the history, culture and beauty intrigues many of us to experience it for ourselves.  With Europe being formed along its waterways and ports, an obvious choice is to explore this fabulous region by cruise ship.

Unpack once, sleep in the same bed every night and no airports!  The diversity of European ports makes cruising a great way to see stunning places across a variety of countries while avoiding complicated travel itineraries.  And at the end of a day of exploring breath-taking destinations, come “home” to your familiar ship waiting in port.

The vastness of Europe means that cruise lines tend to break up itineraries into distinct regions.  For their diversity and variety, we particularly recommend the Northern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries with premium cruise line Celebrity Cruises.

Northern Europe/Baltic: Scandinavia and Russia

12 nights on board Celebrity Constellation

Cruising the Baltic is all about history ad natural beauty – you’ll be amazed by the range of experiences on this cruise!  Departing from Amsterdam, visit Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Copenhagen.   

St. Petersburg in Russia is reason enough to do the cruise – many of our clients describe the experience as overwhelming.  When Peter the Great created his Venice of the North, St. Petersburg became a cultural extension of Europe.  The incredible architecture, the Heritage/Gold Room Museums, the classical Yussupov Palace and the canal-like rivers that run through the city make this a favourite port city for cruisers.

An advantage of this itinerary is that many ports are within walking distance to the city centre. Take along your guidebook, wear a comfortable pair of shoes and set out to walk and explore the medieval cities. Stroll through the famed Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen or explore this old city with a historical harbour tour, taking in the many sailboats in the canals and tempting restaurants everywhere.

Another leisurely walking paradise is Tallinn, Estonia.  Wander the quaint cobblestone streets in this coastal town – a great place to shop for amber we’ve heard.  For other adventurous shopping opportunities, check out the incredible Farmer’s Market in downtown Helsinki, Finland.

Eastern Mediterranean

11 nights on board Celebrity Equinox

An interest in history, different cultures and the flavour of the exotic, will make the Eastern Mediterranean your cruising destination of choice.  Departing from Rome, visit Santorini, Mykonos, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Athens and Naples.

With whitewashed houses accented by roofs of the bluest blue, Santorini is simply enchanting.  One client recommends travelling by donkey to Fira and not to miss the inspiring sunset.  Mykonos is similarly charming, with great shopping and tavernas – let yourself get lost along the cobblestone alleys.

Istanbul is a truly amazing blend of East meets West.  It’s easy to spend an entire day strolling through the Grand Bazaar, exploring the famous Blue Mosque or the gardens of the majestic Topkapi Palace.  Be sure to sample the delicious Turkish fare, whether it’s a kebab from a street stall or a meal at one of the many modern fusion restaurants.

Cruising with Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity is a 5-star premium cruise line that is particularly popular with couples.   The elegance and ambience of the ships, along with outstanding amenities, accommodation and service, ensures people return again and again to the Celebrity line.  Celebrity Constellation is the newest of the Millennium-class ships, while Celebrity Equinox is still under construction, soon to be the newest member of the Solstice-class of ship.  Equinox will feature luxurious details such as outdoor activities on real lawn and Aquaclass staterooms, which incorporate select spa elements.

The Celebrity ships have magnificent spaces to explore, including pampering at the AquaSpa, stylish bars, classical or contemporary entertainment and specialty restaurants with award-winning cuisine.  In fact, many clients tell us they especially looked forward to days at sea as a chance to discover the ship’s many amenities or relax on a chaise lounge gazing at the endless sparkling blueness stretching to the horizon.

For days in port there is the option to join a group shore excursion or sightsee on your own.  The luxury is that your timetable is your own – if you want to indulge in a leisurely breakfast before strolling mid-morning into Mykonos, you can!  The social aspect of cruising is a big draw-card for many, with life-long friendships often being formed over a 10 day cruise.

We recommend cruises longer than 7 days as this enables you to enjoy a range of different ports as well as the slower-paced pleasure of days at sea.  Europe is a particularly interesting destination to make the most of pre or post-travel options.  Taking a few days to explore your departure or disembarkation port offers an opportunity to absorb the best of Europe.

The sample cruises featured here are roundtrip cruises, meaning you embark and disembark at the same port.  This makes for generally cheaper, less complicated flights as well as allowing you to familiarise yourself and “feel at home” in Amsterdam or Rome respectively.

Cruise information:

Cruising with Celebrity Cruises through Europe is an all-inclusive hassle-free way to see the world, with all accommodation, meals, entertainment and gratuities pre-paid.

Scandinavia & Russia on board Celebrity Constellation – multiple departure dates between 16 May – 27 July 2010.  Cruise fares start from $2,720* per person

Eastern Mediterranean on board Celebrity Equinox – multiple departure dates between 3 May – 26 July 2010.  Cruise fares start from $3,145* per person

*Contact Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel for up-to-date cruise fares and itinerary information.  Book your cruise adventure now!


Visit www.bonvoyage.co.nz or call our travel experts on 0800 266 869 or 09 368 6800.

Published 17th Sep 2009

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