The best Europe cruise to match your travel style

At a glance

• There are options to match a wide array of budgets, from under £500 to over £5,000
• You’ll find both family-friendly and adult-only options, depending on what you’re looking for
• The Mediterranean remains the most popular region, followed by the likes of the Baltics and Scandinavia
• River cruises are a good alternative to ocean cruises, providing access to inland ports
• Expedition cruising is possible in Europe, showcasing its most remote corners

Why trust us?

World of Cruising, along with our sister publication, Cruise Trade News, has one of the UK’s most experienced teams of cruise journalists and contributors. Our experts have racked up hundreds of nights at sea and sailed with most cruise lines. Most weeks, one of our writers will be at sea or on a river. Here, that expertise informs our carefully curated list of the eight best European cruises.

Best for families: MSC Cruises

Why this cruise line?

If you’re looking to enjoy a European cruise with the whole family, a sure-fire crowd pleaser is Europe’s largest cruise line. This family-owned brand, headquartered in Geneva, has a well-earned reputation for providing an exceptionally family-friendly service across European waters and beyond.

Today, you can expect interconnecting family cabins, onboard LEGO experiences, 24/7 paediatric telemedicine support and even a baby laundry service. The engaging kids’ clubs also mean parents can slip away for some well-deserved time to themselves by the pool.

Best of all, MSC makes sailing Europe with children in tow more affordable, with special discounts – for example, on family-focused excursions or on cabins for single-parent families.

Itineraries: As the third largest cruise line in the world, MSC offers varied itineraries across Europe. The Mediterranean is ever popular, with destinations ranging from classic routes along Italy, Portugal, Spain and France to less commonly sailed ones visiting Montenegro, Slovenia and Albania. There are also plenty of sailings from Southampton, including Northern European itineraries to the Baltic and Scandinavia.

Price: At the time of writing, fares for a week in the Mediterranean start at under £500 per person, excluding flights.

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Best for adults-only: Virgin Voyages

Why this cruise line?

Often seen as the cruise line for people who don’t think cruises are for them, Virgin Voyages prides itself on doing things differently. Crucially, its entire fleet is adults-only, meaning the vibe leans more espresso martinis by the pool than stray cannonballs.

Onboard, the atmosphere is upscale but unstuffy. You won’t get the same level of formality you might expect from heritage-led brands, but you will find modern fine dining front and centre. Each ship has up to 20 restaurants, including menus created by Michelin-starred chefs.

Beyond that, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained, from record shops and thermal suites to drag shows and DJ sets.

Itineraries: Virgin Voyages’ European cruises typically begin in Portsmouth, Piraeus (Athens), Barcelona or Civitavecchia (Rome). From there, you can sail for between five and 13 nights to destinations ranging from Corfu and Turkey to Iceland and the Netherlands.

A highlight is that itineraries often feature overnight stays in ports like Ibiza and Mykonos, offering the chance to experience these legendary destinations after dark.

Price: At the time of writing, fares start from under £800 per person for a six-night cruise in the Mediterranean, excluding flights. Virgin also occasionally offers discounts for second passengers.

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Best for couples: Princess Cruises

Why this cruise line?

Europe is a popular destination for couples of all kinds, whether they're honeymooners drawn to the sun-dappled beaches of the Med or empty nesters finally exploring Europe during Oktoberfest.

Princess Cruises is often considered a top choice for couples sailing Europe, which might surprise some, given its reputation as a family-friendly line. The reason it can do both things well is that its ships are large enough that little ones can enjoy a kids' club at one end of the ship, while adults retreat to grown-ups-only spaces that feel a world away.

If you can, try to sail on Sun Princess or Star Princess, both of which feature an adults-only 'neighbourhood' called 'The Sanctuary'. It comes complete with access to an exclusive top-deck pool, bar and restaurant, as well as extras designed for a more tranquil, couples-friendly escape.

That said, whichever Princess ship you choose will have speciality restaurants, plus live music and West End-style shows for date night. If it's a special occasion, consider Princess's anniversary, honeymoon, or proposal packages, which add romantic touches like vintage Champagne or couples' spa treatments.

Best of all, all of that pampering will be punctuated by port stops across Europe, with excursions like wine and cheese tastings in Provence or dolphin watching in Gibraltar.

Itineraries: These include the Med, British Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Popular destinations include the South of France, the Dalmatian Coast, the Italian islands and Nordic capitals.

Price: At the time of writing, fares start at £600 for seven days in the Med, though note that Sanctuary suites come with a considerably higher price tag.

Browse offers: Princess Cruises

Best for all-inclusive: Marella Cruises

Why this cruise line?

Marella Cruises sits under the TUI umbrella, giving it the expertise and resources to deliver a consistently good all-inclusive experience. From return flights (with a 20-kilo allowance) and transfers to food, drinks and day-to-night entertainment, including West End-style shows, everything is covered from the moment you arrive at the airport.

That leaves you with more of your budget to spend in ports across Europe, whether that means a visit to Pompeii, tapas in Spain or exploring the Canary Islands by four-wheel drive.

Plus, like TUI, Marella is built with broad appeal in mind. Its ships and itineraries cater to different types of travellers, with options ranging from adults-only ships and 90s-themed mini cruises to solo cabins and family-friendly sailings with kids’ clubs and children’s menus.

Itineraries: Many of Marella’s sailings focus on the Mediterranean, visiting destinations such as the French Riviera, Malta, Italy and Spain, as well as Cyprus, Croatia, Crete, Greece and Turkey. You can also head further afield to destinations like the Canaries.

Price: At the time of writing, fares start from about £800 for a week in the Mediterranean. Look out for last-minute discounts, though note that some sought-after cabin categories, such as solo cabins, are snapped up well in advance.

Browse offers: Marella Cruises

Best for luxury: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Why this cruise line?

From the outset, this cruise line threw down the gauntlet – aiming not just to be lavish, but to be the most luxurious fleet in the world.

As you’d expect from a brand with such lofty ambitions, life onboard feels positively palatial. All-suite ships come with walk-in wardrobes, bathrooms clad in marble, some of the largest balconies at sea and attentive touches like valet laundry service.

With a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:1.4, service is ultra-personalised, right down to minibars stocked to your taste. At the top end, suites even come with a personal butler.

But on a European sailing, the real standout is the inclusion of unlimited shore excursions in every port. There can be up to 20 options in a single stop – think mussel tasting by speedboat in Kotor, hiking a volcano in Santorini, or taking an after-hours tour of Oslo’s Royal Palace.

Itineraries: Regent Seven Seas Cruises covers both the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, calling at well-known destinations like Saint-Tropez, Lisbon and Berlin, as well as lesser-sailed destinations like Liepāja in Latvia or Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands.

Price: At the time of writing, fares for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise start at around £4,100, or £5,100 for Northern Europe, excluding flights.

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Best for rivers: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Why this cruise line?

Europe’s rivers flow right to the heart of its glittering cities, past scenic countryside and through landlocked nations. This all-inclusive cruise line sails them with the utmost style.

Uniworld’s ships feel akin to boutique hotels, each one inspired by the specific region it sails, with one-of-a-kind touches such as bespoke fabrics, original artwork and antiques.

That same attention to detail continues on shore. Instead of being funnelled into generic tours, you can pick from a menu of options. For example, you might take an after-hours tour of St Mark’s Basilica in Venice or a private concert of classical music in Vienna.

And that flexibility isn’t just limited to excursions. If you’re looking for a river sailing that matches your style of travel to a T, there’s a good chance you’ll find it. For instance, Uniworld’s Generations Collection makes river cruising family-friendly, while other itineraries are designed exclusively for women. You'll also find ones created with LGBTQ+ travellers in mind, or for those with an interest in Jewish heritage.

Itineraries: Uniworld operates on an extensive list of European rivers, including the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhône, Moselle and Seine. Some of their cruises are tied to particular times or themes: tulip season in Holland, Christmas markets in central Europe or wine-focused cruises in Portugal and France.

Price: Fares start at around £2,000 for an eight-day sailing in Italy or France.

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Best for foodies: Oceania Cruises

Why this cruise line?

Europe frequently tops the list for travellers with an interest in food, thanks to the appeal of dishes like coq au vin, osso buco and paella. For those keen to make cuisine a central part of their journey, Oceania is a natural choice, with sailings that are closely intertwined with fine food and wine.

It begins in the state-of-the-art galleys of Oceania’s ships, where experienced chefs work with ingredients such as saffron from Castilla-La Mancha and French flour milled to exacting specifications. From there, the results are served in a choice of restaurants, from Toscana, which offers authentic Italian menus, to Jacques, modelled after a Parisian bistro.

On select ships, there are also culinary schools, giving guests the chance for hands-on experiences like mastering fresh pasta or learning the fundamentals of French cooking.

The food focus continues on shore. In a multitude of ports, such as Barcelona, Nice and Copenhagen, chef-led excursions explore local food markets and regional specialities. Other outings focus on drinks, such as visiting a family-owned winery with centuries-old vines on the Amalfi Coast or a French château known for its cognac production.

Itineraries: Oceania’s European cruises cover the Mediterranean, including the French Riviera and Greek Islands, as well as northern routes to the Baltic, Scandinavia and the British Isles. Its itineraries combine well-known ports with smaller, less expected stops.

Price: At the time of writing, fares start at about £1,700 for a week-long sailing.

Browse offers:Oceania Cruises

Best for expedition travel: HX

Why this cruise line?

If you’re looking for a side of Europe far removed from its cosmopolitan capitals and sun-drenched beaches, an expedition cruise offers exactly that. These voyages venture deep into remote destinations, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in wilderness and see wildlife close up.

HX is a Norwegian cruise operator dating back to 1896, taking travellers to some of the most far-flung corners of Europe and beyond. Its ships are some of the most sustainable at sea, and on board, you will be in good company. Alongside fellow passengers driven by curiosity, there is a team of specialists that might include marine biologists, social anthropologists and glaciologists.

Their role is to share their expertise, helping guests understand landscapes and wildlife, but they also may carry out their own research, both on shore and on board, in the ships’ state-of-the-art science centres. Guests can even join in through citizen science projects, contributing data to ongoing studies.

Itineraries:Norway features heavily on HX routes. After all, it was here that the line launched its first Arctic expedition in 1896. The tradition continues with voyages to Svalbard, which is actually closer to the North Pole than mainland Norway. Iceland, often called the Land of Fire and Ice, is another popular destination.

Price: At the time of writing, fares start at around £3,900 for an Arctic expedition lasting eight days.

Browse offers:HX

Read next: Best cruises for the Mediterranean