GalaxSea Cruises & Tours of San Diego

Europe and Mediterranean Cruises

Europe has so many great cities to visit it is no wonder it has become the fastest growing cruise destination. Explore Paris with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre. Visit beautiful Stockholm, London, Scotland, Ireland, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, the fjords of Norway, and the opulent palaces of the czars in St. Petersburg, Russia. In the Mediterranean enjoy ports likes Barcelona, Cannes, Monte Carlo, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Naples, Venice, Sicily, Malta, Athens, Rhodes, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Istanbul, the Greek Isles, Egypt and the Holy Land. There are so many choices because most major cities of Europe are seaports.

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 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.

Our top rated premium ship to the Mediterranean is Celebrity's Solstice & Equinox which are the top ranked premium class ships. They do a variety of 10 to 14-night Med. cruises roundtrip Rome. Celebrity Summit sails between Venice and Barcelona from May to November every year that call 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 (above premium but under luxury). These 700 passenger ships over exciting & unusual 12 to 14 night Med. cruises that differ from cruise to cruise. Great new options for Europe! Celebrity Solstice is offering 10 and 11-night cruises roundtrip from Rome and these cruises alternate between an Eastern Med. itinerary that includes Greek Isles, Istanbul and Ephesus. The Western Med 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. Celebrity Century is also offering some excellent 10 and 11-night Med. cruises roundtrip from Barcelona.

There are also 7-day Mediterranean on Splendour of the Seas roundtrip from Venice 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.

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 is the 14-night cruise on the Celebrity's Constellation top rated premium class ship anywhere as well as Conde Nast Traveler's. She does a wonderful 14-night Scandinavia/Russia roundtrip from Dover, England (near London) from May to September and one 14-night British Isle Norwegian Fjord cruise ever year - one of Captain's favorite cruise ever. Azamara Journey is our top ranked Deluxe category ship (above premium but under luxury). These 700 passenger ships over 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

The Captain's Favorite Ships to Europe

Regent: Voyager & Navigator (#1 in luxury class)

Azamara Jopurney & Quest (top ranked in deluxe class)

Celebrity: Constellation, Summit, Solstice & Equinox (top rated premium class)

Royal Caribbean: Jewel & Brilliance of the Sea (great for families)

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity's new ms Constellation .

This new 91,000 ton beauty is 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.

Constellation will be doing 14-night Russia and Baltic cruises roundtrip from Dover and British Isles and Norwegian Fjords (a great itienrary). Her twin sister Millennium 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.

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.

Princess Cruises

Grand Princess offers 12-day Mediterranean Cruises between Barcelona and Venice from May to Sept. She visits Monte Carlo, Livorno, Athens, Venice Kusadasi, Naples, and Barcelona. And you have the opportunity to stretch your vacation with extra days in Istanbul, Barcelona or Venice depending on the sailing. These ships are nice but are rated below Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. They are much more crowded and food and service is not as good.

Radisson Seven Seas

The Captain & First Mate's favorite luxury ship, the new 6-star Radisson 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 Radisson 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 Radisson.. 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.

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.