From St.Petersburg to Istanbul: Cruise lines are falling over themselves offering more departure and itinerary options in Europe for 2011

Cruise lines are climbing over each other to announce their Europe itineraries for 2011, and with so many competing in that market, it may mean good news for consumers.

With Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and many of the deluxe and luxury lines sounding the European theme for next summer, and with more new European ships and Carnival returning to the continent, the confluence of all those ships could create the potential for too much capacity. Only time will tell if the fast-growing European market can fill those ships, or if the glut will lead to lower prices.

Princess is calling 2011 their most extensive summer ever in Europe. They're offering more departure and itinerary options, more overnight stays, seven new routes, and the most ships in Europe -- seven.
On some of Princess's routes, they will offer overnight stays in Venice, Alexandria, Dublin, Istanbul and Edinburgh, along with St. Petersburg, which is an overnight stop for most cruise lines.

For more: Cruise liners look to Europe for 2011