• Cruising Europe in April is no fool's errand.waiting cruise ship image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
  
  Whether you're celebrating paying your taxes or not getting fooled on April 1, setting sail for a cruise vacation can be an ideal April option. Cruise operators sail out of ports around the country and into Europe, introducing you to new cities and countries, along with onboard activities such as unlimited gourmet dining, nightly entertainment, shopping, gambling and sunbathing.
  
  

Princess Cruises

• Spend more than two weeks on Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess ship, which sails out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and into Northern Europe on a 16-day trip. During the itinerary, you'll visit Bermuda; Cobh, Ireland; Cornwall and London England; Paris/Normandy, France; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Oslo, Norway before docking in Copenhagen, Denmark. Explore port excursions such as The Hague, the Royal Delft Factory, Kinderdijk windmills, Blarney Castle, Irish coffee tasting, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Louvre and a visit to the Normandy Landing Beaches. Seven days at sea are also included.
  
  Select from five cabin styles on the Emerald Princess: interior, ocean view, ocean view obstructed (cabins have windows that may be blocked by a lifeboat, so are a reduced rate), balcony and suite. Dine around the clock with options such as a steakhouse, Italian eatery, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, a grill and three daily buffets. Also onboard are a theater, casino, spa, wedding chapel, art gallery, golf simulator and nine-hole putting course, plus night clubs, bars and pools.
  
  Princess Cruises
  
  800-774-6237
  
  princess.com
  
  

Royal Caribbean

• Explore Egypt (and more) on an 11-night sailing aboard the Mariner of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. The ship sails out of Rome, Italy and stops in Athens and Rhodes, Greece; Ephesus, Turkey; and Alexandria, Egypt before visiting Naples, Italy and docking back in Rome. See how Europe looks in April with excursions such as the Athens Zoo, the Filerimos winery, Acropolis Museum, Corinth canal cruise, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican museum. Four days at sea are also part of the itinerary.
  
  Four cabin styles are available: interior, ocean view, balcony and suite. While on board, enjoy attractions such as a rock-climbing wall, casino, fitness center, wine bar, themed bars, nine-hole mini-golf course, kids' clubs, ice-skating ring, Italian restaurant, ice cream bar and Latin lounge.
  
  Royal Caribbean
  
  866-562-7625
  
  princess.com
  
  

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Enjoy more than two weeks cruising Europe on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Jade ship, sailing out of Barcelona, Spain and through Europe into Venice, Italy. Stops include Monte Carlo, Livorno and Rome, Italy; Athens, Katakolon and Ephesus, Greece, plus two days in Alexandria, Egypt, along with six days at sea. Port excursions include a visit to the birthplace of the Olympics, the Artemis Temple, the Zeus Altar, camel rides, a Jeep safari and Grimaldi Palace.
  
  The Norwegian Jade offers inside, ocean view, balcony and suite accommodations. The largest option is the three-bedroom garden villa, with 5000 square feet of space, three bedrooms, a whirlpool tub, hot tub, sundeck, butler and concierge. Every passenger has access to the ship's art gallery, tennis court, volleyball court, library, four hot tubs, fitness center, chapel, theater, arcade, spa, and multiple dining options including a steak house, Asian restaurant, Italian restaurant, French eatery, room service, sushi bar and tapas restaurant.
  
  Norwegian Cruise Line
  
  866-234-7350
  
  ncl.com