Seven Days of Cruising: The One-Week European Vacation You Deserve

Cruises out of Europe for a Relaxing Vacation

By Robert Schrader | Published: June 5, 2023 | Updated: February 13, 2026

With a seven-day cruise to Europe, the possibilities for adventure are endless. Decisions and preparations can be overwhelming, unless you know exactly what to expect and how to plan expertly. By tackling a short to-do list before you depart and being mindful of a few important things as you travel, you can ensure your next week-long European cruise is smooth sailing, no matter where it takes you. Speaking of which — that's a great place to start. Let’s dive into why your next cruise should be a one-week European vacation.

Key Takeaways

● Spend one week in Europe cruising the perfect mix of convenience and adventure, offering multiple destinations without the stress of flights and hotels.

● Choose your departure port wisely: Barcelona, Venice, Athens and Rome are popular gateways to Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries.

● Balance your port excursions by mixing iconic landmarks with hidden gems, family-friendly activities and sufficient time for relaxation.

● Sea days aren’t wasted time; they’re opportunities to recharge with fine dining, onboard entertainment or simple downtime.

● Smart packing and early excursion planning ensure a smooth, memorable and worry-free cruise experience.

● Find your best 7-day European cruise options here.

Why Take a One-Week European Vacation?

A one-week European vacation is the perfect blend of adventure and convenience for U.S. cruise travelers. With thoughtful planning, you can enjoy a rich variety of destinations without feeling rushed. Many cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, design seven-night itineraries that highlight iconic cities, scenic coastlines and charming cultural stops — ideal for making the most of even limited vacation days.

From the Mediterranean’s sun-soaked ports to Northern Europe’s historic capitals, these routes offer a taste of Europe’s diversity in just one journey. A carefully selected one-week Europe itinerary ensures every day is filled with new discoveries, allowing plenty of time to relax and thoroughly enjoy the ship.

Where To Sail From — And To

If you want to cruise around Europe for a week, you'll need to "position" yourself somewhere on the continent in time for your departure date. Popular cruise ports for Europe-originating cruises include vibrant Barcelona, storied Venice and timeless Athens or vivacious Civitavecchia, the port closest to Italy's "Eternal City" of Rome. Once you've selected a starting point, you'll need to book travel from where you live to where you need to be.

As you'll know if you're well-versed in how to plan a European vacation, you'll also need to account for a few variables. Will you or anyone in your party need a day (or a few) to overcome jet lag upon arrival? Do you want to do sightseeing in your place of origin before or after your cruise? How well do you know the city, and if you don't, how much research do you need to do to make sure your departure (and the time leading up to it) is smooth?

Once you decide where you'll be sailing from and when you'd like to travel, you'll need to compare routes and see which is best for you. If the coasts of Spain and France are your priority, you might choose a western Mediterranean cruise. In addition to stopping in cities like Cannes in France and Barcelona in Spain, other destinations on these cruises include Rome, Venice and Florence in Italy.

Another possibility for a seven-day cruise to Europe is to sail east. Some eastern Mediterranean cruises focus on one country or region — for example, the Greek Isles, including Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. Others head to even more far-flung destinations, such as the Turkish port city of Kuşadası or Dubrovnik, the Croatian city where many pivotal scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed.

Europe's Ultimate Port Excursions

The key to choosing amazing port excursions is to look at your trip as a whole and make sure there's variety. Some people cruise through Europe precisely to sun themselves on as many amazing beaches as possible.

For other travelers, the most satisfying European vacation is the most diverse one. Families might make sure that each of their children has at least a day to do what they want. One child might want to explore the temples of Ephesus in Turkey, while the other may prefer to take a vaporetto (water taxi) to the glassmaking island of Murano near Venice, Italy.

The Secret To Amazing Sea Days

When booking cruises out of Europe that last a week or less, you won't have too many idle days at sea. If you're clear about what will serve you best during the days and/or nights you'll need to spend away from dry land, you can ensure you make the most of them, ideally before you even set sail.

Those embarking on a couple's cruise could use a sailing day for dining or drinking, particularly if your onshore excursions have been of the more active sort. Everyone needs to fuel themselves, and it can be difficult to enjoy a meal at a leisurely pace if you know you've got a long hike or an extensive day of exploring museums to tick off your European cruise itinerary. Likewise, if you rent a car and need to drive, local spirits are obviously a no-go.

The Power of (Good) Packing

The key to packing well for a cruise is to hit the sweet spot. When it comes to clothing, keep in mind that outfits are about combinations. Traveling for a week doesn't mean you need seven tops, seven bottoms and seven pairs of shoes. One thing I like to do before traveling is to have a little fashion show in my closet and see how many different looks I can create with the fewest possible pieces. The same is true for toiletries or beauty appliances. Do you really need a flat iron when your hair is just going to curl anyway, or five different colognes when everything will likely smell like a light sea breeze?

You'll want to make sure (and double-check) that you have packed everything essential. Think medications you can't easily obtain abroad, important toys for your kids and books or magazines that aren't available on an e-reader. When packing something, try and rate on a scale of one to 10 how difficult it would be to find abroad. If it's a 1, maybe leave that item behind and save room for something else. If it's a 10, then pack away.

Then, there's what you'll bring back (or won't, if you aren't much of a shopper). Travelers who love retail therapy might take along an extra empty bag to fill. For those more intent on coming home with memories, the essential thing is to pack a huge memory card and maybe even a USB stick or external hard drive just in case your phone gets photo-full. No matter your unique situation, be mindful of the type of traveler you are and anticipate what you will (and won't) need.

Your Day-by-Day Cruise Itinerary Example: 7 Days in Europe

Want to know what a well-planned European cruise vacation looks like? Here's an example of one of the best cruise trips to Europe you can take:

Day 1: Having arrived in Athens two full days earlier (one for sleeping, one for sightseeing), you and your travel crew are ready to set sail!

Day 2: Arrive in Mykonos, an island that's as famous for postcard-perfect beaches as it is for its charming old town and windmills. Have a low-key day with a nice meal in town or a swim and sunbathe (maybe not both). Pace yourself and don't push too hard.

Day 3: Head to Santorini, an island that's as beautiful as Mykonos. The scenery and civilization are incredibly intertwined. Hang out in coastal Oia, where you can enjoy jaw-dropping views as you sip (or take shots of) ouzo and eat fresh-grilled octopus.

Day 4: Your next stop is Crete, a larger Greek Island where towering inland mountains (and, in particular, Samaria Gorge) make perfect hiking destinations. If you have smaller kids or an older person traveling with you, Chania Beach is one of Europe's most relaxing beaches.

Day 5: Spend your sailing day doing whatever soothes you. For more forward-looking travelers, this may involve planning out the last few days of the cruise or even onward European travel if you plan to stay on the continent. Contemplative travelers may choose to edit photos or journals while your kids use onboard WiFi to catch up on their favorite series. Or, you might simply enjoy onboard food and drink.

Day 6: Arrive in Palma, the largest city on the Spanish island of Mallorca. If you prioritized the beach in Greece, you might spend time dining and sipping fabulous drinks in Palma's Old Town. Conversely, Mallorca beaches such as Cala Mesquida and Cala Formentor are perfect if you want to veg out before arriving in Barcelona.

Day 7: You can experience Barcelona sights such as Parc Güell, the Sagrada Familia church and Barceloneta Beach in just one day. Consider spreading things out more and using your last cruise day to relax with paella or tapas upon arriving in the Catalonian capital. Then, you can endeavor to spend another day or two sightseeing.

Tips for Planning a One-Week European Vacation

Maximize your time in Europe with smart planning and a well-chosen cruise agenda:

1. Choose the right itinerary: Focus on regions that fit your interests and dream bucket list for top places to see in Europe.

2. Prioritize popular ports: Select cruises with fewer sea days to maximize quality sightseeing time.

3. Plan shore excursions early: Popular tours book quickly, so reserve in advance and diversify your wishlist.

4. Pack smart: Bring versatile and comfortable outfits for changing climates, unfamiliar cultural settings and a lot of walking or wandering.

5. Allow flexibility: Balance guided tours with free exploration to soak in authentic experiences.

Spend a Week in Europe by Cruise