Beat the rising Euro: Book a cruise or tour

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For Americans, your trips to Europe continue to get more expensive as the value of  the U.S. dollar falls, meaning that prices rise for hotels, meals, even a cup of coffee.

The Euro, a currency used by most countries in Europe, is at all-time high in value against the U.S. dollar. The British pound, meanwhile, is at its highest value in nearly 15 years, at about $2.

In late May 2008, a Euro cost $1.55. A hotel room at 200 Euros would cost Americans $310. A room at 200 British pounds would cost about $400.

The best way to beat a rising currency like this is buy your vacation package ahead of time. That's one of the reasons that cruises are so popular with Americans traveling to Europe. When you pay for your cruise, that's the price. Your meals, cabin and transportation are included. While the cost of traveling on land is rising, the cost of your cruise is not.

That does not mean a cruise vacation is cheaper than a land vacation in Europe. Many small lodgings in Europe are less expensive than accommodations on a cruise ship. But cruise vacations tend to be less expensive than comparable accommodations and meals on land.
 
Some all-inclusive land tour operators also guarantee prices in U.S. dollars. Make sure you know the policy, and get it in writing.

All the major cruise lines will have ships in Europe for the summer of 2008.

Updated May 20, 2008



David Molyneaux is editor of TravelMavens.net

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Email David@TravelMavens.net