By: Euro Traveler

Europe is a continent of incredible beauty, culture and history, and with so much to see and do it is all but impossible to pack everything in without years to explore. However, if you want to get a flavor of several countries, and really make the most of the time you have, then a European cruise is the ideal mode of travel for you. A cruise ship also allows you to really relax and enjoy your vacation. Your hotel is always with you, and you can leave your luggage behind when you go exploring one of the many cities you'll see on your shore excursions.

However, not all of us have the means to shell out over ten thousand dollars to experience Europe this way. Luckily for those of us who have to break open the piggy bank to afford an annual vacation there are discount cruise options for travelers. A simple search through a travel website or print magazine should yield fruit, and there are dozens of companies out there offering discount European cruise specials. Though some of these offers might not be as luxurious, you'll still enjoy plenty of good food, great company, and you'll see the same incredible sights that those who pay full board do.

Discount European cruises are available on all major routes including the Mediterranean sea, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and the Greek Islands, and the best deals will often be found in the spring and the fall when the ships are traditionally repositioning.