Princess Cruises is one of the better-known cruise lines in the world. Princess covers more worldwide ports than any other cruise line. It offers 39 itineraries in Europe that range from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and Russia. Six different ships are available for European cruises, including the Crown Princess, a modern ship with an atrium; formal, traditional and casual dining; entertainment in the form of a casino, nightclubs, bars, lounges and a theater; 5 pools; 6 hot tubs; and a variety of sports' equipment. Accommodations include staterooms, mini-suites with balconies, family suites, ocean-view rooms, and value rooms. Itineraries range from 7-day "interludes" to 36-day "in-depth explorations." Princess also offers European Cruisetours, a combination of cruise and land tour.
Arthur Tauck's first "tour" was a 6-day jaunt through the Berkshire and Adirondack mountains. By 1929, Arthur owned several buses and was refining his travel style, a style continued by his family-run company. Educated guides, fine dining and superior accommodations are all part of a Tauck travel experience.
Tauck's small-ship cruises promise "more personal attention from the captain and crew." They offer exotic European cruises such as an 11-days in and around Istanbul and the Black Sea. This tour combines an on-land experience in Istanbul with 7 nights aboard the yacht Le Levant, a 90-passenger ship that provides a panoramic restaurant, library, 2 bars, hair salon and swimming pool along with other amenities.
Tauck also offers river cruises. The "French Waterways and Vineyards" Tour is a 10-day cruise aboard a spacious riverboat; travelers sweep through France's Rhone Valley from Paris to Provence. Other cruises include the Saone, Danube, Rhine and Main rivers.
Tauck's riverboats accommodate no more than 118 guests. Every riverboat offers 14 suites (300 sq. ft.) and 7 junior suites, a fitness center and dining choices. Tours include bicycles, shore excursions and informative lectures.
Tours of Croatia and the Dalmatian coast, the Aegean Sea and Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Iceland, Italy and Russia are just some of the luxurious European cruises offered by Tauck.
Cruise West is a family-owned company that specializes in smaller ships. Their ships hold 78 to 138 guests, have lounges, deck space and encourage interaction with the crew. Cruise West offers 11-night riverboat cruises on the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel rivers with stops that include Bucharest, Budapest, Vienna and Switzerland. The Danube River cruise is aboard the Amadeus Diamond, a riverboat with a putting green, fitness center and hairdresser, among other conveniences. Cabins are generously sized (170 to 304 sq. ft.), and all have river views.
Cruise West also has a 19-night cruise from London, England to St. John's, Canada. After a night in London, passengers board the Spirit of Oceanus. With 2 lounges, a game room, all-suite accommodations, an extensive wine list, and special guest lecturers, travelers may find this transatlantic voyage to be the trip of a lifetime.
