Europe cruises will deliver a one-two punch this spring, summer and fall – the end result of which translates into a double whammy in value. The high cost of the euro against the U.S. dollar – coupled with extraordinary early booking opportunities–make 2005 Europe cruises doubly tempting. Demand is on the upswing so book early.

Following is a rundown of the diverse portfolio of cruises in Europe that Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA-member lines) is offering travelers this year.

-- Carnival Cruise Lines, for the first time ever, will offer a series of Mediterranean voyages featuring extended visits to some of Europe’s most charming and historic ports of call beginning this summer on the new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty. The ship will sail on eight 12-day Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Rome from July 20 to October 12. Featured ports include Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. Carnival Liberty’s 15-day transatlantic itinerary on October 24 will position the ship in Fort Lauderdale.

-- Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation, Galaxy and Millennium will operate in Europe and the Mediterranean this year. Century will sail a series of 12-night Baltic cruises roundtrip from Amsterdam, a Norwegian Fjords cruise, and several ten- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises out of Barcelona. Constellation will operate on a series of 14-night Scandinavia and Russia itineraries and several 14-night British Isles and Norwegian Fjords cruise. Galaxy, meanwhile, will set sail on ten- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings while Millennium will offer its own set of Mediterranean sailings of 12, 13 and 14 nights.

-- Costa Cruise Lines will deploy its entire ten-ship fleet in the region from April through November. Travelers can choose from cruises departing from Civitavecchia, Savona, Venice, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Itineraries of three to 16 nights visit the Eastern and Western Mediterranean; Canary Islands; Spain and Portugal; Russia and Scandinavia; the Norwegian Fjords, North Cape and Iceland; and Scotland and the British Isles. The highlight of the Europe season will be the debut of the line’s newest flagship, Costa Magica, which begins her inaugural season with seven-night cruises from Civitavecchia.

-- Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will offer 29 Europe itineraries. Crystal Serenity will operate on an extensive program–18 itineraries in all– of Eastern and Western Mediterranean itineraries from spring through fall. Crystal Symphony will offer 11 itineraries, including three new seven-night Mediterranean sailings. Cruises range from seven to 22 days. Mediterranean itineraries include at least one overnight in port. The line has added the several new ports of call, including Alesund, Norway; Belfast, Ireland; Oban, Scotland; Porto Venere, Italy; Monemvasia, Greece; Sámos, Greece; and Nesebur, Bulgaria.

-- Cunard Line’s legendary Queen Elizabeth 2, the longest serving Cunard express liner in the company’s history with 35 years of service , is based in Europe year-round, except for her annual World Cruise. Cruise guests can choose from 14 wide-ranging itineraries that visit ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Canary Islands. Famous big sister Queen Mary 2, which celebrated her first birthday in January 2005, will operate on four European voyages interspersed with her transatlantic schedule. In all, the line’s Europe sailings range from 11 to 31 days in length.

-- MSC Cruises this year marks the first time the line has positioned seven ships—MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Rhapsody, MSC Melody and MSC Monterey–on European and Mediterranean itineraries. Also, this year MSC Cruises will use Civitavecchia as a homeport for the MSC Lirica and MSC Opera, which will sail primarily on seven-night voyages to the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, respectively. The line’s itineraries range from one to 11 nights in length with the fleet sailing out of the ports of Venice, Genoa, Rome and Copenhagen.

-- Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel, which is scheduled to begin sailing in August, will debut in Europe. The ship is the company’s fourth purpose-built vessel offering Freestyle Cruising. It will operate on a 13-day Mediterranean Treasures itinerary roundtrip from London on August 10; a 12-day Baltic Capitals sailing roundtrip from London on August 23; and a ten-day Path of the Vikings voyage from London to New York on September 4. As a Freestyle Cruising ship, the 92,000-ton Norwegian Jewel will feature 10 restaurants, two Garden Villas and Courtyard Villas with concierge lounge.

-- Norwegian Coastal Voyage is a unique combination of first-class cruise ship, working ship carrying local passengers and cargo between ports, a lifeline to remote coastal towns and villages, and a major tourist attraction. Eleven ships, carrying from 171 to 674 passengers, sail daily year-round between Bergen and Kirkenes, calling at 34 ports along the 1,250-mile west coast of Norway. Passengers have a choice of seven-day northbound, six-day southbound and 12-day roundtrip sailings. The 12-day roundtrip is ideal for passengers interested in an in-depth Norwegian experience.

-- Oceania Cruises’s Regatta and Insignia head eastward to Athens, Rhodes, Olympia, Kusadasi and Istanbul, Mykonos, Corfu and Santorini. Westward, itineraries visit Dubrovnik, Seville, Monte Carlo and Portofino. Northward voyages call on the Baltic capitals of Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and St. Petersburg. For the time, Regatta and Insignia will sail to Libya, Tunisia and Morocco. Regatta sails the Mediterranean, Western Europe and Scandinavia while Insignia will sail to the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles and the Black Sea. Nautica debuts November 28 with a 24-day maiden voyage from Piraeus to Singapore.

-- Orient Lines has added several new sailings to its roster of Mediterranean CruiseTours, which include pre- and post hotel stays in such cities as Athens, Rome and Barcelona. This year Orient will offer a total of ten Europe itineraries aboard the Marco Polo, which include: the ten-day Aegean & Adriatic; 12-day Italy & the Rivieras; two 16-day Iberia & French Highlights;” 17-day Enchanted Cities I;  a ten-day Baltic & Russia sailing; a ten-day Medieval Cities voyage to Stockholm or Copenhagen; 17-day North Cape & Fjords sailing; and a 10-day Scandinavia & Russia sailing.

-- Radisson Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager will sail the Mediterranean and Baltic; Radisson Diamond will operate on Mediterranean itineraries; while Seven Seas Navigator sails the Baltic, Iceland and Greenland. Seven Seas Navigator will also embark on the line’s first Top of the World voyage roundtrip from New York. Sailing a series of northern passages to Iceland, Greenland, and the Baltic, the 56-night adventure is available in five segments, ranging from 10 to 14 nights. The line is also adding a host of new calls this year: Heimaey, Iceland; Gdansk Poland; Angmassalik, Greenland; and Tripoli, Libya.

-- Princess Cruises will offer its most extensive Europe season yet, with four vessels sailing in the region. Grand Princess will sail on 12-day Grand Mediterranean sailings and two different 12-day Greek Isles sailings. Star Princess will operate itineraries from Copenhagen on two routes that showcase the best of the Baltic seacoast. Golden Princess will sail to the British Isles and Western Europe, offering three 10-day itineraries from Southampton. Sea Princess will offer voyages from Southampton that range from 14-day Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes to new seven-day voyages to Iberia and Scandinavia.

-- In 2005, Royal Caribbean is once again offering exclusive European cruise-tours, pairing land trips to some of the most historic and beautiful regions of England, France and Spain with European cruises on Brilliance of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas in the Mediterranean and Jewel of the Seas in Northern Europe. Land-tour portions, ranging from three to five days, are escorted by knowledgeable, local tour directors. They include four- and five-star hotel accommodations and guided tours of top cultural attractions, as well as plenty of free time to pursue individual interests.

-- Silversea Cruises’ Silver Cloud will operate on 19 cruises of seven to 16 days, calling in France, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain and Northern Europe. Silver Wind will offer 19 cruises of six to 16 days, calling in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Silver Shadow will operate on 27 cruises of seven to 11 days, calling in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Silver Whisper will operate on 15 cruises of six to 12 days, calling in France, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain and Northern Europe.

-- Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II is offering more than 15 European cruises in 2005. The ship’s Europe season starts in April and runs through October. Cruises vary from eight to 15 days. Destinations include Malta, Italy, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Tunisia, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, the U.K., Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Norway, Finland, Channel Islands, Azores, Madeira, Ireland and Iceland. Swan Hellenic’s inclusive fares cover roundtrip flights between Minerva II and select U.K. gateways. Also included are special tailor-made excursions in each port.

--Windstar Cruises’ three Windstar ships will sail in Europe this year, operating on Mediterranean and Greek Island itineraries. Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Nice, Marseille, Venice, Monte Carlo and Malta will serve as homeports. Wind Star will sail ten seven-day Mediterranean cruises from June through August, a 10- and 11-day Mediterranean voyage in the spring and three seven-day cruises in October. Wind Spirit will sail three seven-day cruises in April and again in October and November. Wind Surf will spend April through November sailing six- to 11-day Mediterranean itineraries, for a total of 27 voyages.

-- Yachts Of Seabourn’s Seabourn Pride will begin the Europe season with a pair of 16-day Mediterranean cruises between Iberia and Istanbul. Seabourn Pride sails the Rivers of Western Europe from Lisbon to London, then spends the balance of the summer sailing 14-day cruises in the Baltic, Russia, the British Isles and the fjords of Norway roundtrip from London. Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will sail the Mediterranean from early spring until late autumn. A series of seven-day cruises may be combined for two, three, four or five weeks of cruising with different port content.