Q: I want to visit Europe on a cruise with a group of 10 persons. We can fly to any destination from Mumbai, then embark on our cruise. We’d like to travel to a few countries, and visiting London is a must. Could you please suggest us the best route to travel without burning a hole in our pockets? I’d like to plan the trip myself.

Marco Says: Protecting your pocket from conflagration depends largely on how deep your pocket is. It’s all relative, as the genius showed us. Planning your trip on your own is an exciting idea, but you do need to settle some issues before you get going: first, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Next, when you would like to travel. Third, how many days you can spare. Finally, which parts of Europe interest you most. There are cruises that take in the Western Mediterranean, with stops in Barcelona and Monaco; Eastern Mediterranean cruises will feature stops in Croatia and Greece. Or there’s the Norwegian fjords. Or the British isles. Once you have figured these essentials out, there are some more aspects to consider: whether you would like to cruise on one of those large liners that are like moving seven-star hotels or whether you’d prefer the intimacy of a smaller one. Large ocean liners or smaller ones. Sea cruises or river cruises. Decisions, decisions…