More than ever, North Americans are finding cruise ships are the way to visit Europe. As the current strong Euro makes land vacation options more expensive, cruising in Europe this year is great value and a great way to discover the history, mystery and romance of Europe and the Mediterranean.

"Cruising has always been dollar for dollar the best value in European travel and that's even more obvious this year," says Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the non-profit marketing and training association representing the North American cruise industry and nearly 16,000 travel agencies. "It is clear that people still like to travel to Europe; in fact, the region continues to be the second most popular cruise destination, behind the Caribbean."

The number of cruises visiting European and Mediterranean ports has continued to rise over the last two years, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The proof is in the numbers. After a brief downturn in 2002 that paralleled a travel-industry wide slump, more vacationers will sail to Europe and the Mediterranean in 2004 than at any other period in cruise history. In all, CLIA-member lines will offer 2,220 European sailings this year.

"Cruises in the Europe/Mediterranean region enable travelers to visit several historic destinations within one vacation, without having to re-pack their suitcases each night or worry about how or when they are going to get to the next city," says Dale.

With so many magnificent cities and historic landmarks to experience, cruise passengers have the added convenience of being able to return from their daily explorations to a luxurious ship, from which they can view spectacular landscapes as they set sail to their next destination.

"A cruise to Europe can be a trip back in time, as passengers visit the roots of civilization in ancient Rome, take a soft-adventure expedition along Europe's northern-most fjords or step on the beaches of Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day," says Dale. "It is a wonderful way to absorb the various cultures on shore excursions that enable you to mingle with the locals or attend the Grand Prix of Monaco, the Cannes Film Festival, a Russian ballet or the continent's greatest museums."

And for those who want to extend their stays, cruise lines offer numerous opportunities for pre- and post-cruise experiences.

For more about cruising in Europe and the Mediterranean, visit CLIA's website, www.cruising.org, then visit a cruise expert at a CLIA member travel agency. To find a nearby member agency staffed with Accredited Cruise Counsellors (ACCs), Master Cruise Counsellors (MCCs) and Elite Cruise Counsellors (ECCs) - agents who have extensive cruise experience and have completed advanced levels of CLIA's intensive training program - click on "Find a Cruise Travel Agent" on CLIA's website