The frescoes of Botticelli in Italy, the magnificence of Greece, the relaxing siestas of Spain or the perpetually exciting prospects of Netherlands, Europe is a place that features right near the top of every non-European’s travel bucket list. The continent is, after all, the ‘cradle of the western civilization’, and to explore this continent in a way that does it complete justice, Royal Caribbean International’s cruise ships are undoubtedly the best option. The summers are the best time to explore this beautiful continent, and tourists from all over the world reach European shores on Royal Caribbean ships during this season to explore the wondrous continent.

With every kind of state-of-the-art modern amenity at your beck and call coupled with the scenic landscapes of Europe, a summer cruise holiday on Royal Caribbean cruise would be a memory of a lifetime and an experience to be narrated to future generations. Here’s a list of the top 5 reasons why RCI’s cruises are the best way to explore Europe:-

An award-winning brand
Since its inception in 1969, RCI’s ships have forayed into 6 continents, numerous countries and 282 unique destinations across the world covering picturesque locations. With best-in-class services, RCI’s cruise lines have been awarded ‘The Best Cruise Line Overall’ since the past 14 years. Some of its cruise ships, such as the Harmony of the Seas, have also been awarded as ‘The Best Cruise Ship.’ Its itineraries club together some of the most unique places in Europe which have historical, cultural and natural significance, offering cruisers a true taste of every aspect of Europe that makes it so unique, vibrant and exciting! From river rafting adventures through the Spanish countryside to savouring the old towns in Estonia with unique locally-brewed beer tasting opportunities, travelling through Europe with RCI offers you the opportunity to enjoy especially curated shore excursions that ensure your experience is as authentic as it gets!

RCI’s ships have mapped the entire length and breadth of Europe through its 115 plus cruises that cater to every major country, destination or tourist spot in the continent, and some secret ones too! Through its various cruises differentiated according to days spent on the sea such as 3-5, 6-8. 9-11 or 12+, it caters to the requirements of every kind of traveler, from the ones looking for a quick getaway to the retirees who have lots of time, and curiosity, on their hands! Ships such as Vision of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and many more have been cruising through the waters of Europe for many years now, and have always returned with a deck full of starry-eyed, overwhelmed tourists!

Things to Do
Europe offers any tourist a plethora of activities to choose from, and these are not your run-of-the-mill cheese farming or horse riding activities. How about hovering on open, uncharted seas in search of minke, fin, blue and humpback whales or getting sprayed in the mighty waters of the Godafoss waterfalls? The black sand beaches in Iceland, which adorn so many postcards and magazine covers, will be under your very feet as you cruise with RCI’s 8 brilliant ships such as Serenade of the Seas or Vision of the Seas. The experience of enjoying the traditional festival of the fishing community in Siglufjordur village and the Herring Heydays are virgin experiences that only the truly lucky ones can get!

Keen followers of World War II often wonder what it would feel like to really be in the places where unspeakable acts of cruelty, bravery and passion were committed in a singular event that changed the course of modern history! Through RCI’s shore activities, travellers can go for a motor ride to World War II and the Cold War sights as well as ride a motor coach to visit the remains of a Nazi concentration camp and pay silent respect to the numerous souls that experienced limitless pain within these boundaries.

The ‘royal’ touch
Remarkable onboard experiences-this is one of the biggest USPs of RCI’s cruise ships. Travelers who have been aboard RCI’s ships swear by the unique comfort, grandeur and opulence on display at every nook and corner of these ships. From the king-size state rooms which open onto the sea to Vitality Spa and Fitness centers, RCI’s ships are the perfect harbinger for all the splendour and luxury that Malta, Paris or Venice will welcome you with.

Constant offerings of new sailings
RCI’s patrons constantly praise the fact that it curates new sailings to keep the excitement and surprise element high through the year. This year, its unique sailings include a 16-night Suez Canal Cruise, an 11-night cruise to Italy, Malta and Spain, a 12-night Mediterranean and Venice cruise and many other such sailings which are completely novel and highly appealing. These itineraries blend the best of not just Europe but often juxtapose a day in the intriguing world of the Arab world with another spent discovering the magnificent ancient past of Athens; with several new and exciting combinations lined up for the forthcoming months, travelling to Europe with RCI truly gives the experience a new definition.

Its most popular offering this summer, Freedom of the Seas, takes guests to a dreamy, 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise which begins on May 7th and 14th. It also leaves the shores on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th  of June and promises some of the most breathtaking views of Barcelona, Ibiza, Mallorca in Spain, the beautiful cities of Provence and Nice in France and Florence along with Rome and Naples in Italy. This ship is the largest ship in Europe and is considered to be a unique specimen of impeccable maritime engineering and is equipped with simulated whirlpools, state-of-the-art spas, entertainment rooms differentiated for kids and adults and rooms full of grandeur that directly connect with the open seas. With Freedom of the Seas on the sea and the beauty of Europe beckoning guests from the ports, you’ll thank yourself for choosing RCI!

Delectable global cuisine

Dreaming of a gastronomical paradise the moment you hit Europe? Well, why should your dreams take longer than necessary to turn to reality? With RCI’s cruise ships, your culinary bonanza begins the moment you set sail… The highly trained chefs will offer you the freshest, most exquisite and most authentic of gourmet experiences before you even set foot in the Michelin starred restaurants of Paris or the lively cafes of Rome. With RCI, your complete journey, on-shore and on-board will be an epicure’s delight!

Exciting rides and experiences

FlowRider, Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, all these and many more rides await the thrill seekers on the ships of RCI as they ready themselves for a European holiday. There are a plethora of options for entertainment as well, with Tony and Olivier Award winning Broadway shows by Royal Caribbean Productions, as well as live orchestra. The on-sea extravaganza continues with Ice-Skating Shows Exclusive to only Royal Caribbean cruise ships, features professional skaters that amazes the audience with their moves, lifts and spins on blades and ‘Meet and Greet’ DreamWorks characters