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© JorgeBRAZIL

A cruise is a great way to see Europe, especially for those with time constraints that want to experience more destinations within a short period of time. A cruise is also a great option for those in need of serious rest and relaxation, because they are one of the most stress-free ways to visit Europe. Cruises are very cost effective, and eliminate the hassle of finding hotels and overland travel options.

The cruise fare covers accommodation, food and travel expenses, plus you only have to unpack and pack once. Six to seven night cruises are a great option for those with limited vacation time. Royal Caribbean offers a seven night Adriatic Coast cruise on Voyager of the Seas, with prices starting at $892 per person. Ten night cruises allow you even more time to relax. One of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world, the Celebrity Equinox, offers a 10 night Eastern Mediterranean cruise starting at $1851 per person.

© JorgeBRAZIL

The spring/summer European cruise season is just beginning, but Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are already looking ahead to 2012 and planning to expand their European cruise options. Royal has announced that it will be adding a 12th ship to the region in 2012, and NCL's is adding another ship for next year as well. The Norwegian Spirit is the new ship, and it will be staying in Europe year-round.

The Spirit will be based in Barcelona, and will offer 12-day Mediterranean itineraries during the summer and fall, plus a series of nine-day Canary Island cruises next winter and spring. The new Royal ship is called Serenade of the Seas, and it will also be based in Barcelona. New stops on the Royal cruise routes include Toulon, Marseille and Le Havre in France; Genoa, Messina (Sicily) and Bari in Italy; and Valencia in Spain and Kusadasi in Turkey.

© Pink Dispatcher

The European cruise market might be on a decline, but the parade of new or renovated ships continues. AMA Waterways, a European cruise leader, has launched a ship specially designed for cruising the Volga River. Unlike the other European cruise ships that sail on more popular rivers like Danube and the Rhine, AMAKatrina is much bigger with a capacity of 212 passengers.

This European cruise ship is not new, in her previous life she was known as the Royal Princess. It has four decks and 24,000 square feet of public area, and replaces the more familiar and familiar Tolstoy. AMA is offering an 11-day tour on the AmaKatarina along the Volga-Baltic Waterway. The European cruise ship will sail a series of short and long itineraries, ranging from Christmas cruises to Oslo to journeys to the Caribbean and Indonesia.