I cruise Europe every summer and I never make some mistakes to make sure my trip is free of obstacles.
Europe is full of exciting cruising destinations and I am lucky to be able to sail across the continent, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle.
I made a lot of mistakes during my seven tours in Europe. Between packaging wrong footwear, neglecting to study footwear at the port and spending too much on shore travel, I certainly learned some valuable lessons in the process.
These are seven mistakes I always avoid during my European tours, so I have the best trip.
I avoided choosing the first itinerary I saw – and there are more options than you think
Dreaming about a European tour? You need to make sure you choose the best itinerary for your travel style.
When planning any cruise, a common misfortune is choosing the wrong itinerary. Each port offers something unique. History lovers will lean towards Pompeii’s ancient ruins, while nature-centric cruisers may prefer destinations like Norway and Iceland.
Rather than booking European cruises based solely on price, check out all the options carefully. You might be surprised to find itineraries in the Canary Islands, northern Spain and France, and even Istanbul.
Related: What I wish I knew before going on a Mediterranean cruise
I always do a thorough research on the itinerary before booking. By doing so, I have been able to discover hidden gems around the continent.
For example, my first European tour took me to this small city La Rochelle, France. The city had nowhere to go before visiting the Cruise itinerary online, but I was shocked by the city’s quaint harbour and traditional pizza.
Don’t limit yourself to the most popular ports. Check out every itinerary offered by the cruise company to find the itinerary that best suits you.
I avoid port confusion by paying attention to logistics
Most European cruising trips include anywhere from three to five ports, but are not the same made. Some ships dock in the city center, such as in a split, while others require a boat, bus or train to reach the city center.
During my recent cruise of Greek islands, I paid close attention to the logistics at each port before disembarking. Fortunately, the Royal Caribbean app provides detailed information about any necessary tender boats, water taxis and other local transport.
Related: What does tender mean on a cruise ship?
By doing so, I prepare for each port. I lined up early in Santorini to bid for tickets, prepared cash to take a water taxi in Mykonos, and kept disembarking for our next destination, the Japanese shuttle.
A few minutes of research was done beforehand, which helped me avoid unnecessary confusion in each call port.
I avoid packing a huge suitcase-My carry around suits suits everything I need
A common mistake many travelers make when visiting Europe is in excessive packaging.
If you plan to do any form of public transport in Europe (whether it’s a train, a bus or a subway), you’ll soon regret packing a large suitcase.
I have used public transport throughout the continent and I will never bring anything bigger than a carry case I carry with me. Although it is possible to navigate the transit system with large luggage, I don’t think it’s worth the headache.
Related: European Cruise Clothing and Women’s Packaging Guide
Many trains have limited trunk storage space, and a subway system without giant suitcases can be crowded enough.
Instead, I always go to Europe with me Stay away from carry-on suitcase and spacious Backpacks of personal items size From Amazon. These two items provide plenty of room for a week’s clothing and are easy to navigate in local shipping.
I don’t restrict myself from going on cruises
It is convenient to stick to the Royal Caribbean offers when planning the number of days on the port. The tour starts directly from the boat, work with the reviewed tour provider and ensure you return to the port with a delay in tours.
That being said, a coastal tour booked directly by cruise can be expensive. The Royal Caribbean is the “middleman” between you and your travel provider, thus raising prices.
Related: 7 ways to spend a good time in a harbor without a cruise shore tour
I rarely visit the coast on the Royal Caribbean Islands. Instead, I look at independent travel agencies, which may offer more variety and lower prices.
On my recent cruise to Athens, I passed getyourguide.com. The tour included my admission fee, which was $70 per person, not half the price of the tour provided by the cruise.
However, when booking for yourself, you need to consider ground transport. In Athens, I arrived at the Acropolis by local bus and subway.
Some travelers may prefer the convenience of private transport through cruises.
I avoid new shoes and always make sure my footwear is comfortable
If you only have one tip from this list, it should be packing the proper footwear for the European Tour.
I often log 20,000 steps while exploring the call ports in Europe. Most destinations can be explored on foot and there is plenty of ground to cover every day.
During my previous cruise to the Mediterranean, I made a mistake because it was wearing a brand new pair of sneakers in the port. Soon, my ankles were covered in blisters and I had to endure the errors for the rest of my trip.
Today, I never pack new shoes when cruising to Europe. I would pack a pair of trusted wear sneakers. I usually also pack it in a pair of sandals and ankle straps, which is nice on warmer port days.
Related: What to wear during a Mediterranean cruise
If your itinerary visits a notorious wet destination, such as Iceland or Ireland, you will want to avoid sneakers with a mesh look. The steps to get into a puddle on a rainy day or by chance will quickly moisten your shoes (and socks), which is far from ideal when exploring the harbor.
I like to cruise with a pair of white waterproof sneakers Like Adidas. Not only do they match almost every piece of clothing, but they also keep my feet dry on rainy days.
I avoid traveling to Southern Europe in July and August. But adventure North!
If you are cruising to Europe during peak summer seasons, consider driving north.
Destinations such as Rome, Santorini and Lisbon often see extreme temperatures in the months of July and August. Sightseeing at 90 degrees can be painful!
As an alternative, visiting Norwegian fjords can be a great choice for summer cruises. Low 70s temperatures are perfect for exploring the area. Whether it’s a hike to the spectacular pulpit rocks or stroll along the charming Stavanger streets, you’re unlikely to be flooded with heat.
Related: Right and False My Parade to Norway in the Royal Caribbean Sea
Outside Norway, you can also find cruises in destinations like Iceland, the British Isles and Denmark, all of which should provide a more pleasant summer temperature than countries like Italy and Spain.
Finally, it was too late to avoid booking a European cruise. The itinerary can (and often) be sold out
Despite so many tours in Europe, I am still learning the ins and outs of cruising across the continent.
One mistake I would never make again is to wait too long to book my cruise.
Last fall, I was following the Greek itinerary in the Royal Caribbean, but I wasn’t really in a hurry to book. Even if I wish to cruise sometime in May, I think I can bite the bullet on future reservations.
So when I finally decided to book a cruise in December, I could never find itinerary on the Royal Caribbean website again. It turns out that the tour has been booked.
Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?
My procrastination has cost me my dream parade, or I think.
Fortunately, some cabins were opened the next day, which may be due to cancelled or expired holdings. I immediately emailed the tour agency to book the cruise and grabbed one of the last cabins on the boat.
Needless to say, I learned lessons about booking cruises, and it was too late. The Royal Caribbean European itinerary is in high demand, so if you want to book your dream cruise, it’s best to do this as soon as possible.
