If the current strong booking pattern holds into 2009, it’s time now to start thinking about next summer’s Europe cruise if you want to secure the ship, date and cabin of your choice. And, after taking cruises in European, Baltic, Mediterranean and Aegean waters, I’ve found the criteria for picking a ship  to be different than in the Caribbean. 

On a Europe cruise the focus is much more on what’s ashore; the ship is secondary. You work! You go ashore at 8:30 a.m. and you are walking or driving until late afternoon. Conversely, in the Caribbean there are more days at sea and the focus is on the ship and all its facilities, activities and entertainment. On Europe cruises, many passengers skip the floor shows and head for bed earlier, exhausted and in need of rest for the next early morning.

Here are my three most important criteria in picking the perfect ship for a Europe cruise:  1) Itinerary, 2) Time in port and 3) dress policy.

When comparing ships, check the length of stay in port — you’ll want as much time as possible in sightseeing-intensive destinations.  How many times in your life will you visit cities like Venice and Florence? 

On a Baltic cruise, the two best ports are Stockholm and St. Petersburg.  In the latter city, aim for a ship that stays in port three days instead of two.  Trust me, there is so much to see that you’ll want a longer visit.)

These days, more and more cruise lines are eliminating or greatly reducing nights when formal wear is required.  If you don’t want to lug along a suitcase full of fancy dress, check the suggested attire of vessels.  

On a Europe cruise, you may want to skip the extra cost of a balcony cabin since the ship is in port nearly every day.  Better to spend the saved money on shore excursions (very pricey here) and shopping. Another critical area is shore excursions.  Princess is my pick for the best excursions available. They have an edge over other cruise lines because of the volume of passengers they carry each year.  They have first shot at the best guides, can demand special treatment and have the ground arrangements perfected.  

The perfect Europe ship will offer casual dining in the Lido restaurant at night, important when you’re too tired from sightseeing to get dressed up and dine for several hours. Princess, Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Line offer the best casual dining options.

Have you cruised in Europe?  Any recommendations on the best ship for this region?

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