Imagine relaxing on board the most luxurious ships and cruising across the Greek Islands, Dalmatian Coast, or Norwegian Fjords — this is what awaits you on board the best European cruises! And we make it easier for you with the essential Schengen visa information you’ll need to plan your dream European cruise vacation.
Cruises are one of the most sought-after luxury travel retreats on water, providing an all-inclusive experience filled with bespoke facilities that cater to almost every need. The beauty of a cruise vacation is that you can cover multiple destinations while living and travelling in luxury.
We have shortlisted the most exclusive itineraries across Europe on board cruises. Pick from these best European cruises to plan your summer escapade.
Sip, dine and relax onboard the best European cruises
Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores by Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises specialises in ocean and river expeditions, offering the Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores cruise. Journey across eight countries — Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, and Turkey — to completely immerse yourself in the rich culture and history. The curated shore excursions allow you to visit all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route.
This route is offered across several of their top ships, mainly Viking Mars, Saturn, Venus, Vesta, Jupiter, and Star and Sky. Pick your dates and your choice of ship to have the most exciting European cruise experience with Viking.
Route, visa and other details
Route: Barcelona (Spain)-Montpellier (France)-Marseille-Monte Carlo (Monaco)-Florence/Pisa (Italy)-Rome-Sicily-Crotene-Bari- Sibenik (Croatia)-Venice (Italy)-Split (Croatia)-Dubrovnik-Kotor (Montenegro)-Corfu (Greece)-Olympia-Athens-Crete-Rhodes-Ephesus (Turkey)-Troy-Istanbul.
What’s included:
- One guided tour at every port of call.
- All meals along with non-alcoholic beverages, beer and wine.
- Live entertainment.
Cruise duration: 29 days
Price: Starting at USD 10,996 (HKD 85,963).
Visa requirements: Only a Schengen visa is required. While Turkey is not part of the Schengen Area, it allows tourists to travel to the country with this visa. This is not applicable if your passport enables visa-free travel to these destinations.
Book Mediterranean’s Iconic Shores by Viking Cruise via Booking.com
Fado to Fjords by Oceania Cruises
The world’s largest upper-premium cruise line has brought a romantic rendezvous along the Atlantic Ocean — Fado to Fjords. The Oceania Cruises’ Marina offers cruises along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Norway.
Marina hosts 1,250 guests per cruise, taking them on a culinary journey as you cruise past beautiful destinations across Europe. The culinary experiences on board are famous for being one of the best, serving cruisers world-class cuisine through its multiple restaurants like Privée (Marina’s exclusive private dining), Waves Grill (all-American dining/al fresco trattoria) and La Reserve, which hosts the Dom Pérignon Experience. This exuberant six-course gustatory indulgence pairs each course with a special Dom Pérignon vintage.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Lisbon (Portugal)-Oporto-La Coruña (Spain)-Bilbao-Bordeaux (France)-Lorient-Saint-Malo-Paris-London (UK)-Bruges (Belgium)-Amsterdam (the Netherlands)-Antwerp (Belgium)-Paris (France)-London-St. Peter Port-Cork (Ireland)-Dublin-Glasglow (UK)-Stavanger (Norway)-Kristiansand-Oslo.
What’s included:
- All meals, along with non-alcoholic beverages, champagne, wine and more.
- USD 1,200 shore excursion credit.
- Live entertainment.
Cruise duration: 23 days
Price: Starting at USD 6,899 (HKD 53,934).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa and a UK visa are required to experience this cruise unless your passport has visa-free access to these destinations.
Book Fado to Fjords by Oceania Cruises via Booking.com
Mediterranean Rivieras & Canary Islands by Seabourn
Seabourn is a luxury small-ship cruise line offering the crème de la crème of experiences and travel. Complimentary caviar, immersive tours, and glamorous suites are promised on all its cruise ships, especially the Seabourn Sojourn. This ship goes on a majestic voyage to Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Morocco and Portugal.
Seabourn Sojourn exclusively caters to only 450 guests, offering exemplary services and care to every passenger. Each port has a host of curated guided tours that take you on a picturesque adventure, like snorkelling with a marine scientist in Costa Brava, wine tasting in Cannes and shopping in the Souks of Tangier.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Barcelona (Spain)-Palamos-Sete (France)-Cannes-Costa Smeralda (Italy)-Portovenere-Monte Carlo (Monaco)-Portofino (Italy)-Portoferraio-St Tropez (France)-La Ciotat-Mahon (Spain)-Barcelona-Malaga-Tangier (Morroco)-Casablanca-Arrecife (Canary Islands, Spain)-Santa Cruz de La Palma-Santa Cruz-Funchal (Portugal)-Lisbon.
What’s included?
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages.
- Live entertainment.
- The guided tours at the ports are not included.
Cruise duration: 28 days.
Price: Starting at USD 13,899 (HKD 1,08,658).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa, a Moroccan visa, and a UK and an Irish visa are required to experience this cruise unless your passport has visa-free access to these cruise destinations.
Book Mediterranean Rivieras & Canary Islands by Seabourn via Booking.com
Racing for the Prix Du Monde along the Riveria by Windstar Cruises
Windstar is a small ship luxury cruise liner famous for curating exclusive themed journeys around the world. Aboard the ship Wind Surf, the cruise charts a round-trip journey around Italy, Spain, and France, stopping at Monte Carlo to attend the prestigious F1 race Monaco Grand Prix!
Wind Surf is one of the largest sailing ships, taking 342 guests around the Mediterranean. It is also the only cruise that includes the tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix. What stands out is that this five-mast staysail schooner is Windstar’s flagship, showcasing the best offered by the cruise line, such as the finest Egyptian cotton linen and regional spa treatments like Japanese Shiatsu and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Rome (Italy)-Portoferraio-Portofino-Monte Carlo (Monaco)-Cannes (France)-Sanary-sur-Mer-Port-Vendres-Barcelona-Palamós (Spain)-Sanary-sur-Mer (France)-Cannes-Monte Carlo (Monaco)-Portoferraio (Italy)-Rome.
What’s included?
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages.
- Monaco Grand Prix tickets.
- Watersport equipment like snorkel gear, kayak and more.
- Live entertainment.
Cruise duration: 14 days
Price: Starting at USD 14,795 (HKD 1,15,663).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these destinations.
Book Racing for the Prix Du Monde Along The Riveria by Windstar Cruises via Booking.com
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Athens to Venice by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Bringing the renowned luxury and comfort of Ritz-Carlton to the European cruise, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sails the scenic route from Athens to Venice. They have three exclusive superyachts promising unimaginable luxuries, and their first ship, Evirma, takes you on a picturesque sail to Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy.
Evirma caters to the needs of 298 exclusive guests with its state-of-the-art suites and remarkable service. Some stunning features of the superyacht include the Humidor, the intimate lounge with premium cognac and the finest selection of hand-rolled cigars, and the Ritz-Carlton Spa, where you can enjoy luxurious treatment on a private terrace overlooking the ocean.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Athens (Greece)- Bodrum (Turkey)-Rhodes (Greece)-Kotor (Montenegro)-Dubrovnik (Croatia)-Trogir-Sibenik- Venice (Italy).
What’s included:
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages.
- Non-motorised water sports.
- The guided tours at the ports are not included.
- Live entertainment.
Cruise duration: 13 days
Price: Starting at USD 15,979 (HKD 1,24,919).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these cruise destinations.
Book Athens To Venice by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection via Booking.com
The Norwegian fjords by Cunard
A cruise is one of the best ways to experience the Fjords of Norway. Cunard offers a picturesque journey into the Briksdal glaciers and other frozen phenomena on its flagship Queen Mary 2. The round-trip journey from Southampton takes you deep into the North Sea, getting you close to the majestic fjords.
The flagship is a transatlantic ocean liner, once known as the longest and largest passenger ship ever built. While Queen Mary 2 has relinquished its title, it remains the epitome of class and service, accommodating 2,691 passengers per cruise. The ship also has one of the largest planetariums at sea, taking you on an epic space voyage while you cruise along the North Sea.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Southampton (UK)-Kristiansand (Norway)-Olden-Alesund-Stavanger-Southampton
What’s included:
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages
- No guided tours are included
- Live entertainment
Cruise duration: 8 days
Price: Starting at USD 9,075 (HKD 70,946).
Visa requirements: A UK and Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these destinations.
Book The Norwegian Fjords By Cunard via Booking.com
Dalmatian Coast Discovery by Regents Seven Seas Cruise
The iconic Seven Seas Navigator is the oldest ship in the Regent Seven Seas fleet, taking travellers on this scenic cruise across the Dalmatian Coast. Navigate the Adriatic Sea on this classic cruise ship and visit Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Turkey.
With a capacity of 490 passengers, the Seven Seas Navigator promises mind-blowing entertainment, including a casino, cabaret shows, broadway, and karaoke, to keep your night busy. The days are filled with relaxation by the pool, games of trivia/cards, shuffleboard, bocce ball or golf.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Athens (Greece)-Gythion-Igoumenitsa-Kotor (Montenegro)-Dubrovnik (Croatia)-Koper (Slovenia)-Venice (Italy)-Ancona-Argostoli (Greece)- Santorini-Mykonos-Tenedos (Turkey)-Istanbul
What’s included:
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages
- Unlimited shore excursions
- Live entertainment
Cruise duration: 15 days
Price: Starting at USD 8,939 (HKD 69,882).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these cruise destinations.
Book Dalmatian Coast Discovery By Regents Seven Seas Cruise via Booking.com
Baltic Intensive Voyage by Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises offers an exciting journey to the Baltic Ocean, covering several iconic northern European destinations on the Azamara journey. The Baltic Intensive Voyage is one of the ideal ways to cruise to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and the UK.
The R-Class cruise ship hosts 694 guests during the cruise. They are known for destination-intensive itineraries, and while the excursions are not included with the package, they are worth the experience for this European cruise.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Copenhagen (Denmark)-Visby (Sweden)-Stockholm-Helsinki (Finland)-Kotka-Tallinn(Estonia)-Riga (Latvia)-Klaipeda (Lithuania)-Gdansk (Poland)-Ronne (Denmark)-Wismar (Germany)-Kiel Canal-Southampton (UK).
What’s included:
- All meals, along with alcoholic beverages.
- Guided tours at the ports are not included.
- Live entertainment.
Cruise duration: 16 days
Price: Starting at USD 3,645 (HKD 28,495).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these destinations.
Book Baltic Intensive Voyage By Azamara Cruises via Booking.com
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Greece & Turkey by Celebrity Cruises
The popular Celebrity Cruises has an immersive European cruise experience to Greece and Turkey on board their Celebrity Infinity. The cruise takes you on an adventure around the beloved Greek Islands and historically rich destinations across the two countries.
Celebrity Infinity is a Millennium-class cruise ship capable of accommodating over 2,170 passengers. The highlight of the cruise is the entertainment — casino, tasting and pairing workshops, broadway shows, themed parties, fitness classes, art gallery, pickle ball, kids workshops and golf simulator keep people of all ages engaged in fun.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Athens (Greece)-Voldos-Istanbul (Turkey)-Ephesus-Rhodes-Santorini (Greece)-Mykonos-Athens
What’s included:
- All meals, along with beverages.
- Live entertainment.
- Shore excursions are not included.
Cruise duration: 11 days
Price: Starting at GBP 1,291 (approximately USD 1,641 or HKD 10,092).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these cruise destinations.
Book Greece & Turkey By Celebrity Cruises via Booking.com
The North Cape Line by Hurtigruten Cruise
The flagship of the Hurtigruten Cruise, MS Trollfjord, cruises in Norway, taking travellers to the most iconic destinations in the country. The Northern Lights, Arctic, Moldefjord, Gullesfjord, and polar bears are some of the beautiful natural phenomena you can witness during the North Cape Line cruise.
MS Trollfjord is named after the Norwegian Trollfjord and takes 822 guests through the picturesque glaciers and fjords of Norway. The cruise hosts workshops that help travellers further immerse into the culture and beauty of the destinations, including photography classes sharing tips on how to capture the Northern Lights, food tastings of Norwegian cuisines and lectures on local wildlife so that you can easily spot them during this European cruise.
Route, visa and other crucial details
Route: Oslo-Kristiansand-Haugesund-Ålesund-Brønnøysund-Svolvær-Tromsø-Honningsvåg-Alta-Lødingen-Rørvik-Molde-Bergen
What’s included:
- All meals, along with beverages.
- Live entertainment
- Shore excursions are not included.
Cruise duration: 14 days
Price: Starting at GBP 1,291 (approximately USD 1,641 or HKD 10,092).
Visa requirements: A Schengen visa is required unless your passport has visa-free access to these cruise destinations.
Book The North Cape Line By Hurtigruten via Booking.com
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(All currency conversions were done at the time of writing)
(Feature image credit: Hurtigruten Cruise)
Related: 10 Best Greece Cruises, According To Travel Experts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Do I need a Schengen visa for European cruises?
If your passport doesn’t grant visa-free access, you need a Schengen visa for European cruises.
– How do I determine if I need a Schengen visa for European cruises?
You can determine if you need a Schengen visa for European cruises by checking with the visa policies established by your destination country.
– How far in advance should I apply for a Schengen visa for European cruises?
Depending on the visa application processing timeline shared by the Embassy, you will have to estimate how far in advance you should apply for a Schengen visa for European cruises.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Digital Writer - Growth, TravelPriyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism ..Read More
