Not too late for Europe (and perhaps not so expensive)

If the mighty Euro has led you to defer plans to visit Europe this summer, it’s not too late to schedule a last-minute Grand Tour and pay comparatively low U.S. prices.

The secret: scheduling a cruise on one of more than two dozen North American ships – some of them offering super-luxurious accommodations -- sailing out of European ports this summer.

Six of the largest cruise lines that predominantly serve the U.S. market have based a record 27 ships in Europe for the summer, with two more set to join the armada in July.

With some 60,000 shipboard rooms to fill every week, the good news is you not only pay in dollars, but bookings have been slow so substantial discounts are available.

While there is no escaping the fact that transatlantic airfares this summer are high, you should be able to get a cabin with a balcony on a five-star cruise ship – with meals and use of shipboard amenities included – for considerably less than you would pay for a first class European hotel room.

Keep in mind that many cruises in Europe spend virtually every day and some evenings in port, so you will have plenty of time to go off and immerse yourself in the local culture.

European cruises largely originate in England, Barcelona, or Rome.

Cruises from England tend to run 10 to 14 days, and either go south into the Western Mediterranean or north to Scandinavia, the Baltics and Russia.

From Barcelona, the largest cruise port in Europe, cruises tend to run 7 days and generally visit ports in Italy and along the French Riviera.

Cruises from Rome tend to range from seven to 12 days. Most go east from Italy, visiting Greece and Turkey.

Here is the lineup of ships that the six major cruise lines now have in Europe:

Holland America: Maasdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Prinsendam and Rotterdam, to be joined in July by Eurodam.

Celebrity: Century, Constellation, Summit.

Princess: Ruby Princess, Tahitian Princess, Emerald Princess, Crown Princess, Grand Princess and Royal Princess.

NCL: Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jewel.

Royal Caribbean: Independence, Navigator, Voyager, Brilliance, Jewel, Legend, Splendor and Vision of the Seas.

Carnival: Carnival Freedom and Liberty to be joined in July by Splendor