Europe and Mediterranean Cruises

The Captain & First Mate sailed to the Norwegian Fjords on Celebrity. The cruise was one of our all-time favorites. The scenery were incredible like this photo of Geiranger Fjord - one of the most beautiful spots in the world. These typically are 12 to 14-day cruises - are very relaxing and focused on great scenery. Cruise lines usually make this trip only once a year so book these early. They always sell out.

Mediterranean Cruises

Our top rated premium ships to the Mediterranean are Celebrity's Eclipse & Equinox which are our top ranked premium class ships. They do a variety of 10 to 16-night Med. cruises roundtrip Rome and London. Celebrity Summit sails between Venice and Barcelona from May to November every year - calling on Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens, Santorini, Naples, Rome, Livorno (Florence/Tuscany), Villefranche (Nice & Monte Carlo) and Barcelona. Azamara Journey & Quest are our top ranked Deluxe category ship. These small 700 passenger ships offer exciting & unusual 7 to 14 night Med. cruises that differ from cruise to cruise and since they are small they can dock in London,or downtown St. Petersburg and other great ports close to the center of town. Azamra also has more overnight calls on popular ports of call. Celebrity Equinox is offering 10 and 11-night cruises roundtrip from Rome in the summer. These cruises alternate between an Eastern Med. itinerary that includes Greek Isles, Istanbul and Ephesus and the Western Med itinerary that includes Italy, Greece & Villefranche (Nice & Monte Carlo). Sailing the canals of Venice on a 15 to 17-story ship looking down onto the city of Venice is quite an experience. Equinox also offers outstanding 13-nt cruise roundtrip Rome to Egypt and Israel in Sept & October each year. Celebrity Eclipse debuts in 2010 and is offering a variety of 10 to 16-night cruises roundtrip from Sothampton (near London) to the Canary Islands and also into the Med all the way to the Venice and back on some cruises. Celebrity Century is also offering some excellent 12-night Med. cruises roundtrip from Barcelona.

There are also 7-day Mediterranean on Splendour of the Seas roundtrip from Venice, Navigator of the Seas roundtrip from Rome, Independence of the Seas roundtrip from Southampton (near London) and now Voyager of the Seas is offering 7-night cruises roundtrip from Barcelona. Brilliance of the Seas also does 12-night cruise to the Med. sampler roundtrip from Barcelona. She is an excellent choice for family cruises of 12 or 14 nights.

Northern Europe

Scandinavia/Russia and Mediterranean cruise are the most popular itineraries and great European starter cruises. We've cruised to the Scandinavian capitals and St. Petersburg several times. Our favorite premium offering is Celebrity Eclipse that debuts in 2010 for four 14-night Scan/Russia cruises from May to July roundtrip from Sothampton (near London). Another big favorite are the 12-night cruises on the Celebrity's Constellation , another top rated premium class ship. She does a wonderful 12-night Scandinavia/Russia roundtrip from Amsterdam from May to August and one 12-night Norwegian Fjord cruise ever year - one of Captain's favorite cruises ever. Azamara Journey is our top ranked Deluxe category ship (above premium but under luxury). These small 700 passenger ships offer exciting new 12 night Scan/Russia cruises roundtrip Copenhagen (you dock in the middle of St. Petersburg not a long drive away at the commercial port like most). Great new options for Europe.. Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Sea is sailing a 12-night this Scandinavia/Russia roundtrip from Harwich (also near London). Scandinavia/Russia cruises typically calls on Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (2-days), Estonia, and Copenhagen.

Europe has become the newest hot spot for cruising, and many sailings are full months in advance, especially on the new ships. For the best rates and availability you will need to book well in advance By booking as early as possible you get the best selection, yet you are assured of getting any price reduction or promotion that comes along before you have to make final payment just before you cruise. Deposits are fully refundable up until final payment. Don't wait until the last minute and be disappointed when your choice is no longer available.

For the latest Europe and other destination specials see our Great Deals page

Celebrity Cruises

• Celebrity's new ms Constellation .

This 91,000 ton beauty is one of our top rated premium calss ship. She will hold only 1950 people (double occupancy) and have about the same high space ratio per person as the top luxury lines like Crystal. In fact, the CondeNast Traveler's readers survey for Celebrity Constellation #1 for large cruise ships. We rate the even newer Celebrity Equinox and Eclipse (Soltice class ships) even higher and they are sure to displace Constellation and her sisters after the ratings start to include these new ships.

Constellation will be doing 14-night Russia and Baltic cruises roundtrip from Amsterdam. Her twin sister Summit will be offering classic 12-night Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice & a 14-night roundtrip Barcelona cruise in November. You can also add on some very interesting land tours to your cruises.

Azamara

• Celebrity's new Deluxe Azamara Cruises .

Azamara Quest & Journey are two new Deluxe ships offering great high end European options. They offer luxury like service, amenities, and dining choices but with cabins still the same size as premium class ships at half of luxury class ships. They also have no formal nights, no smoking, open seating with 3 great restaurant choices. Gratuities are included with the cruise fare as is wine with lunch & dinner, bottled water and soft drinks.

Azamara Quest offers many new and exciting Mediterranean choices. Journey offers some spring and early summer Scandinavia cruises and then joins Quest in the Mediterranean. There are losts of nice back-to-back options and these new ships are going to a lot of smaller ports the big ships cannot dock at, and they also frequently offer 2-days with an overnight on the ship in popular ports of call like Rome, Livorno (Florence), Naples, etc. For example Journey can dock on the river in central downtown St. Petersburg while the large ships have to dock at the very ugly industrial port far outside the city.

Great new choices at great values. Similar to Oceania but for a lower price!

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance & Jewel of the Seas are some of the Captain's favorite new ships for families and they offer some great values. Brilliance will offer 12-night Mediterranean cruises roundtrip from Barcelaon all summer and the brand new Jewel will offer Northern Europe cruises. You can also add on some very interesting land tours to your cruises.

Regent Seven Seas

The Captain & First Mate's favorite luxury ship, the new 6-star Ragent Seven Seas Voyager took over our top ranking overall when she debuted in 2003. This luxury class ship has 50,000 tons like Crystal Serenity but holds only 700 passengers (250 fewer than Crystal) and every cabin has a private balcony. The smallest cabin on Voyager has 356 sq. ft. including a large private balcony. Voyager is an outstanding value for clients that appreciate the best food and service afloat for prices below Crystal or Silversea. Like Crystal and other luxury cruise lines there will be few children on board and no children's program. Voyager offers open seating for dining and 3 outstanding alternative restaurants. She offeres a large variety of 7 to 11-night Mediterranean and Norther Europe cruise options.

With Radisson gratuities, wine with dinner, complimentary bar setup and champagne for each cabin upon arrival are all included.

Click here to see our on-line brochure for the Regent Voyager.

Crystal Cruises

The Crystal Symphony and the new Serentiy are two of our favorite large luxury cruise ship. We rate them #2 large luxury ships overall after Radisson Voyager/Mariner with 5+ stars. They holds 1000 passengers with 50,000 tons. Non-luxury class ships this size typically carry 1700 passengers. Crystal offers all the popular European destinations - but also several more exotic locations such as the Far East, Africa, and South America. All cabins on the Symphony have oceanviews. There will be very few children on Crystal and no children's program. Please see our on-line brochure for more information about Crystal Cruises

Silversea

Silversea is our #1 small luxury cruise line with only about 300 guests. You can't go wrong with Silversea but Radisson Voyager offers a nicer ship and better service at much lower prices. Silversea has the best food afloat. Luxury lines are more expensive than premium cruise lines but the value is also high considering how much you get. Verandahs, large cabins, airfare, gratuities and alcoholic beverages are all included and the food is the better than large ships can provide.

We loved the single seating open dining you find on Silversea and Regent.. Dine when you want and with whom you want. You can dine with someone new every night or dine with the new friends you just made. Even Crystal has started to offer open seating in part of their dining room.

Some categories (like Verandah Suites) sell out quickly so reserve your space soon. Silversea also offers a range of Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings. The new Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper both 25,000 tons (smaller than Navigator or Mariner) are the nicest Silversea ships. Be sure to compare these to Radisson Voyager which is a little larger but offers even more.

For more information see our on-line brochure for luxury Cruises.

Windstar

For a yacht-like feel on a shorter cruise, these are the perfect choice. "Country-club casual", intimate, excellent service, with 5-star dining these are wonderful alternatives to the large ships, and with a variety of ports that larger ships don't reach. Most are 7-night cruises to either the Greek Isles or the French/Italian Riviera.

Sail from Nice to Rome and Rome to Venice. All cabins are oceanview.

Barging and Riverboats Through Europe

Embrace the delights of a slower-paced, escorted cruise through the French countryside, the Rhine River, the Romantic Danube, or cruise Holland during Tulip Time. Riverboats and barges are great ways to see the interior of Europe at a slow relaxed pace without having tochange hotels every day.. Savor gourmet cuisine and fine local wines as you cruise aboard a charming riverboat or small barge. Visit medieval villages, storybook chateau's and towering cathedrals. Most cruises have tours included in each port of call. This is a wonderful way to see Europe's charming land locked ports of call.

For the latest Europe and other destination specials see our Great Deals page

How to send us questions or quote requests

For questions please email john@galaxsea.com. Welcome your feedback.

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17172 Salt Mine Rd.
Ramona, CA 92065 (760) 789-9635 or (800) 923-7245 or Fax: (760) 789-7869 email:captain@galaxsea.com