European Cruises

[LoveBoat]

What kind of cruise line trips are available to Europe? Is there such a thing as a one way cruise? I would like to take the long way there, stay for two weeks, and catch a plane home. I have always wanted to visit Europe and since retirement I finally have a chance. Because I have health concerns, I wonder what type of insurance would be appropriate for the cruise and while traveling through Europe?

[kandajones]

Hi there, most of the US lines relocate some of their ships to Europe during our Summer, so you can get really good deals on these relocation cruises.

You will find Azamara, Celebrity, Crystal, Holland America, NCL, Oceanea, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, RCI, Seabourne, Silver Seas, as well as 'local' lines, Cunard, P&O, Fred.Olsen, MSC, Costa to name but a few.

As for health insurance, I cannot help other than to say that if you have Worldwide Cover with repatriation & cruise cover, then you are already on a good start. Perhaps checking with a local TA, or calling a few insurance agents would be the way to go.
On the whole, over here our travel insurance, even with medical conditions, is quite reasonable, UNLESS we touch any US territories, when it rockets

Alan

[Manuel]

Love Boat, welcome to Cruisemates.

To answer your question, you need to find a good travel agent. All your cruising issues and travel insurance will be adressed.
I allways book with a TA and travel insurance has helped me out a couple of times.

TM

[johnthed0g]

Consider at least a transatlantic crossing on QM2 from NYC to Southampton, then maybe travel Europe from there,even another cruise round the Med.

[Trackypup]

Europe cruises are great and what you described would be ideal if you have the time. Not sure I'd do the Cunard Transatlantic, there are no ports. But if you wanted to go in the height of summer when there's no other alternative then look at them. I'm not recommending these guys as a travel agency, but for an excellent cruise search site, check out Vacationstogo.com. You have to register but can then search their cruise database which searches across all cruise lines. You could pick an area, such as Transatlantic or pick a port that you'd like to visit and a time frame and it will bring up all cruises in that range for you to have a look at.

[johnthed0g]

I don't think there are any ports on a Transatlantic whatever line you use & the Cunard iconic TA out of NYC would be memorable.

[Trackypup]

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

I don't think there are any ports on a Transatlantic whatever line you use & the Cunard iconic TA out of NYC would be memorable.

There's tons of ports on the transatlantics that the ships use to reposition. Cunard is the only one that does it in a week straight there and back most of the time. If you have the time, then taking a Celebrity, Princess, HAL Transatlantic, you're going to see far more than just the straight across on Cunard.

Example: Grand Princess Ports:Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Azores Islands (Ponta Delgada), Portugal | Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland | Dublin, Ireland | Cornwall (Falmouth), England | Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France | London (Southampton), England

Crown Princess:
Ports: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Gibraltar, Great Britain | Alicante, Spain | Barcelona, Spain | Marseille (Provence), France | Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy | Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

[Trip]

Several years back, we had a Cruismates group leave on a ta from Lauderdale, and visit St Maarten, Medeira,, and then head on to Rome....It was a Carnival cruise.Surely nice to have a few ports along the way.

Speak to a cruise specialist travel agency, to address all your concerns, then book,and wait...& wait here,and we can assist you as well!

[johnthed0g]

The only places ships stop between USA & UK are Madeira & the Azores. I suppose you could take a repo cruise & visit a couple of islands.
The TA on QM2 the last true LINER would be an experience to remember, one of the few iconic journeys.

[Trackypup]

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

The only places ships stop between USA & UK are Madeira & the Azores. I suppose you could take a repo cruise & visit a couple of islands.
The TA on QM2 the last true LINER would be an experience to remember, one of the few iconic journeys.

Did you not see my post above? Looks a titch more than Madeira and the Azores to me. And not all Transatlantics end in the UK. While I agree Cunard would be a great experience, you'd be cruising for the ship and certainly not the ports. Totally depends on you're priorities and how much time you have.

[KayAnnie]

Some cruises also allow you to pay more and have that first cruise in Europe just tacked onto the TA. I noticed the Norwegian Spirit doing that this year. You can get some great rates that way. Can't wait until I can do TA someday.