Cruisers can visit multiple cities -- often multiple countries -- in one weeklong to two-week trip, so they can hit the highlights and only pay airfare once. Instead of logging long hours travelling in a bus, navigating train schedules in a foreign language or moving from hotel to hotel, cruise passengers can enjoy fine dining, complimentary entertainment and one comfortable home base for the entire trip as the ship sails from Spain to France to Italy in the Mediterranean, or from Germany to Denmark to Sweden in Northern Europe, not to mention farther north into Norway.

Activities vary depending on where you go. Cultural and historical attractions are present nearly everywhere -- whether that's exploring Roman ruins, visiting famous art museums or touring castles, fortresses and historic homes. Beautiful cathedrals and religious sites are plentiful. Tasty food and wine tours are educational and available throughout all of Europe.

While there are some European cruises year-round, spring, summer and fall are the major times to go. Summertime is the primary time that Baltic and Arctic cruises are offered to destinations in Northern Europe.

The best times to go on a Europe river cruise are often spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant and crowds somewhat diminished. Travellers looking for a unique spin on a river cruise can opt for a late fall sailing to visit Europe's famous Christmas Markets -- just be prepared for cool weather.

Baltic ports include Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki, while Norwegian fjords sailings call at Geiranger, Bergen and Flam. Western Europe ports include Dublin, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Rhine River cruises visit Amsterdam (via canal), Cologne, Strasbourg and Basel. Popular ports on the Danube River include Vienna and Budapest. Other popular river cruise destinations, depending on which itinerary you choose, might include Bruges, Porto, Bordeaux and Paris.

Baltic and Norwegian fjord cruises depart from a range of ports, including Southampton, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bergen and Amsterdam. British Isles cruises depart from Southampton, Dover or other ports in England.

European river cruises leave from a variety of ports, depending on the river and route. Danube River cruises depart from Budapest, Passau or Nuremberg; Rhine River from Amsterdam (via canal) and Basel; Seine from Paris; Rhone from Lyon, Avignon and Arles; Portugal's Douro from Lisbon and Porto; Elbe from Berlin and Prague; and Bordeauxt from Bordeaux itself.

Northern sailings take in Scandinavia (including Norway's gorgeous fjord country), Russia and other Baltic capitals along with the U.K., Ireland and Iceland. Some venture north of the Arctic Circle to the very top of Europe.

River cruises bring travellers to even more destinations along the Rhine, Danube and other major waterways -- including Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna and Budapest.

Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to Europe. If you book a “guaranteed cabin” (the line chooses for you), a cabin on a lower deck or sail on an older ship from your preferred brand, then you can get the best cost for a specific European cruise. Last-minute cruise specials to Europe appear as you get closer to the sail date, usually four weeks before departure. Taking a cruise to Europe in the off-season (before or after the busiest times) can also be a great way to find a cruise deal, but keep in mind some specific destinations are increasingly year-round.