• Cruise ship passengers can visit archaeological ruins while in Constanta, Romania.constanta harbour image by cirikate from Fotolia.com
  
  Smaller cruise ships service the eastern route on the Black Sea, and most are operated by luxury cruise companies. The coastal city of Constanta, Romania, is a port of call for cruise vacations in the region. The city has a population of only 345,000 but has a long and rich history, referenced in documents as early as 300 BC. Located near the Danube river, visitors to Constanta often spend the day at Murfatlar vineyards tasting local wine or touring the archaeological museum.
  
  

Seabourn Odyssey

• Seabourn Cruises ship the Odyssey features summer sailings round trip from Istanbul, Turkey. These 21-day sailings include five port stops in Turkey, six in Greece, three in the Ukraine, two in Bulgaria and one in the port city of Constanta, Romania. The Odyssey, built in 2009, is a small ship with a passenger capacity of 450. The cabins are at the forward end of the ship, leaving room for high-end shops, open bars and four-star restaurants aft.
  
  The Yachts of Seabourn
  6100 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite 400
  Miami, FL 33126
  800-929-9391
  seabourn.com
  
  

Regent Seven Seas

• The summer months also bring Regent's ship the Seven Seas Mariner to the Black sea. The ship offers alternating 10-day cruises between Athens, Greece and Istanbul, Turkey. Port stops along the route include cities in the Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria and Constanta, Romania. The Mariner was built in 2001 and updated in 2009, with a passenger capacity of 700. The ship maintains a two-to-one ratio with crew and passengers, with just over 450 crew members on board. This creates a personalized environment enriched by guest lecturers, world renowned cuisine, art auctions and Canyon Ranch Spa facilities.
  
  Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 500
  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
  877-505-5370
  rssc.com
  
  

Pacific Princess

• During the late summer, Princess Cruises offers a cost effective alternative with select 12-night sailings from Athens, Greece to Venice, Italy. Stops include cities in Greece, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Italy and Constanta, Romania. The ship was introduced into the Princess fleet in 2002, with a passenger capacity of over 600. Passengers enjoy movies under the stars in the outdoor theater and/or enjoy being pampered in the Lotus spa. As of summer 2010, the price was less than $225 per person, per day based on double occupancy of an interior cabin.
  
  Princess Cruises
  24844 Avenue Rockefeller
  Santa Clarita, CA 91355
  800-PRINCESS or 800-774-6237
  princess.com