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Past Newsletter Articles Europe: By Land or Sea?
Past Newsletter Articles Europe: By Land or Sea?
| Europe: By Land or Sea? |
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| Written by Philip Banks |
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London, Paris, Amsterdam: These and many other major European cities sit on the coast or are a quick bus trip away from a port. European cruises are more convenient and exotic for travelers because they can see these costal cities from the Oceanside while on a luxurious ship. Europe is a beautiful travel destination whether it is explored by tour or by cruise. However, many travelers have found that a European cruise has more benefits and a higher comfort level than a European tour. A European tour may appear to travelers to be more rustic or "hands-on" than a cruise but those who have experienced these tours know that's not always the case. Most vacationers that chose a European cruise over a tour were delighted with the benefits of the cruise, value and the overall experience of their vacation. European cruisers found having the "home base" of a cruise ship convenient and comforting. Being in the different atmosphere of a foreign country. can sometimes be stressful but those on a European cruise knew they could always come back to the American ship if they felt overwhelmed. Vacationers who chose a European cruise were also relieved to only have to unpack their bags one time throughout the trip. European tour goers are often rushed away to many different cities over the course of several days. In each city, the tourists check into a hotel for the night or possibly a few nights and unpack their bags, only to re-pack again when it’s time for the next destination. The convenience of a cruise ship allows the traveler to keep his or her things in one place over the course of the entire vacation. European cruisers found they had more time to enjoy the entertainment on the ship and the local sights by not having to worry about unpacking and re-packing their bags. European tours may seem like they cram a lot of attractions and cities into a short amount of time. However, a lot of that precious vacation time is spent traveling from city to city, leaving a small amount of time to actually explore the local cities. European tours usually travel to each destination with long daytime bus rides. European cruises are more effective with the traveling time because they sail to the next destination during the night while travelers are sleeping. A coastal European village all lit up at nighttime can be a breathtaking view for cruise passengers. This view is often missed for those on a European tour sleeping in a hotel room. In the morning, passengers arrive at a new Port of Call after a full night's sleep, ready to explore the next European city. Foreign food can sometimes be a great way to experience the local culture. Sometimes local European food may not cater to the taste of Americans or it may be extremely pricey compared to what most Americans are used to paying for a meal. Those who have chosen a European tour are forced to fend for themselves at mealtime and sort through the local restaurants to find the tastiest and most reasonably priced. A common restaurant in England can charge 16 pounds for a meal which equates to approximately $31. European cruises cater to travelers because in most cases, meals are included in the set cruise price. Passengers can choose from a variety of food on the ship, including the popular American food they may be accustomed to. Cruisers have the option of tasting the local flavor or coming back to the cruise ship to chow down on familiar choices. Learning about the local culture and history of the cities is usually the most appealing part of a European vacation. Some vacationers think they must choose a tour in order to learn the in-depth history of each fascinating city. However, European cruises also cater to those who are interested in the past events and present culture of the cities visited. Many cruises invite guest speakers to board the ship at each Port of Call. These speakers give passengers a history and cultural lesson on the city they are about to explore. The cruise ship usually passes right by the settings of historical battles or events and passengers can see firsthand the sight the guest speaker was describing. Cruise lines hire historians, celebrities, artists, scientists and other interesting speakers to enlighten their passengers. Cruise passengers feel they get more background information on the major tourist attractions because of the presence of the ship’s guest speakers. Most major European cities became so populous and famous because they were originally founded as ports and included trade routes. Therefore, these great cities that most vacationers plan to see are on the coast or a short bus or train ride from the coast. European cruises may only be able to visit the cities on or near the coast, but this includes most of the interesting and exciting European cities. Many European vacationers are choosing to take a European cruise because it offers them a home base without the hassles of packing and unpacking numerous times throughout the trip. Cruises are also convenient because they travel to the next destination during the nighttime so there is no time wasted on traveling. The option to avoid pricey local meals is another benefit that cruisers experience when traveling by boat. European cruise passengers also enjoy the experience of talented guest speakers with interesting history on the sights. Europe is full of beautiful cities that can be explored by land or by sea. The benefits and value of a European cruise have allowed passengers to see these gorgeous cities in a whole new comfortable and affordable way. |