ABOVE: The captain of Emerald Star aligns his ship with a quay in Bernkastel-Kues, Germany.

Europe for Cruisers is part of Europe for Visitors, a Forbes and Washington Post "Best of the Web" editorial travel-planning site that has offered unbiased advice to millions of travelers for more than two decades.

Plan your cruise in Europe:

Cruise Article and Reviews

Read our in-depth reports on ocean and river cruises. Also see Tour Europe by Ship, which discusses "port-intensive" cruising as an alternative to cars, trains,  and coaches.

European Barge and Canal Cruises

Explore Europe's inland waterways on a hotel barge or narrowboat. The pace is slow, the atmosphere is cozy and informal, and you'll avoid crowds even during high season. Also see our article on Coastal, Canal, and River Cruises in Britain.

Venice for Cruisers

If your cruise begins or ends in Venice, Italy, read our Venice for Visitors port information. Also see "Roundtrip Cruises from Venice," our 35 pages about Rome's cruise port of Civitavecchia, and our guide to Paris River Cruise Ports.