River cruising is increasing in popularity each year, and for good reason. You can select from a long list or rivers and itineraries across Europe, in addition to rivers in Africa, North America and Southeast Asia. Below are just a few of the benefits of making a river cruise part of your future vacation planning.
River Cruising is a Great Value
Why? Almost everything is already included in the price. Compared with ocean cruising, where you can easily rack up a sizable onboard account paying for drink packages, specialty dining, and shore excursions, river cruises often include a variety of complimentary shore excursions at each port, basic wi-fi service, and free beer, wine, basic cocktails, and soft drinks, tea and coffee with lunch and dinner. Breakfast often includes a variety of juices and complimentary sparkling wine … mimosas anyone? Our last river cruise had a post-embarkation cocktail hour with an open bar and light snacks and a daily happy hour in the lounge just before dinner – with local entertainment.
Helpful Hint: In ports where the cruise line does offer an optional shore excursion for an additional cost, strongly consider booking it. These offerings are very often unique, once-in-a-lifetime, priceless experiences, that are offered at a very reasonable price.
Rooms with a View
Luxurious river cruise stateroom with walk-out balcony and Juliet balcony
River cruise ships are limited in size to navigate locks and pass under low bridges while accommodating varying seasonal water levels. They are limited to 200 guests or less (typically closer to 140-150). And that means every stateroom and suite has a view! Most with walk-out balconies and/or what are often referred to as Juliet balconies – with a sliding door or window and fixed railing. No interior staterooms here.
Your ship will often cruise between ports during the night to maximize the time available to you in each port. But on days when daytime cruising is part of your itinerary, you will absolutely want to take full advantage of all that is offered on the open-air top (aka “Sun”) deck of your ship – lounge chairs, sun shade (canopies or umbrellas), padded sectional patio furniture, putting greens, oversize lawn chess, pools or hot tubs, even corn hole or shuffleboard. Imagine a sunny afternoon on the Rhine River sipping a glass of Riesling or your favorite German beer while watching castle after castle pass by in the section of the river classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site!
Convenient – Local – Cultural – Luxurious – Personal
Yes. River cruising shares many of the same features/amenities of ocean cruising – unpack only once, a wide variety of food and drink options, places to relax and be pampered, etc. But dig a little deeper, and you will find that river cruising has several distinct advantages over voyages on the high seas.
Convenience. River cruises dock in the center of town. No waiting for the ship to clear customs or for a bumpy ride on an ocean tender (both ways). Take one of the complimentary shore excursions or disembark at your convenience and explore the town on your own. Maybe you want to return to the ship for lunch or take a short nap … no problem. You can even sign out one of the bikes on board or join a pre-planned bike ride led by a local guide. Immerse yourself in the local day-to-day life as soon as you step ashore, but also explore at your own pace and on your own schedule.
Local Feel. Ocean cruises are often limited to coastal ports of call and shore excursion options or long motor coach or train rides to an inland destination. River cruise itineraries visit inland “bucket list” places such as Paris, Vienna, Nuremberg, etc., sprinkled among other small villages that would otherwise go unexplored. Some itineraries even allow visiting two unique ports on the same day. Food and drink on both the lunch and dinner menus regularly highlight and accentuate the local cuisine!
Cultural Immersion. Forget docking at an impersonal, concrete, half-mile ocean pier lined with trinket shops. Step off your river cruise in the heart of town and enjoy a leisurely walk to a local cafe, must-see point of interest, or highly recommended restaurant. Local entertainment often comes onboard for the nightly happy hour to perform (dance, sing, or play), lead local craft workshops, or provide cultural lectures. No casinos or large theaters with Las Vegas or Broadway-style shows. Each day’s activities and experiences are deeply inspired by the port you are visiting.
Luxury. Cabins on the newer river cruise vessels more closely resemble floating versions of an upscale, modern hotel. Public spaces are contemporary, with floor-to-ceiling glass and plenty of natural light. Fitness rooms, spas, and pools/hot tubs are common. We have even seen a float-up bar on one ship and a regulation pickleball court on another!
Personal Connections. With fewer than 200 passengers and favorable staff to guest ratios, you have unique opportunities for cabin, dining and other staff members to get to know you personally. Open seating in the dining room coupled with the upper sun deck and main lounge provide fabulous opportunities for you to get to know many of your fellow travelers. Try doing that on the typical ocean cruise of 2,000 – 6,000 passengers.
Calm and Casual
Leave your motion sickness medications at home. No more worrying about selecting a cabin midship to reduce the “motion of the ocean.” Without visual cues, you really have to focus to determine if the ship is underway or not.
There is often a welcome dinner and/or Captain’s dinner on most itineraries, but river cruise attire is generally much more casual compared to an ocean cruise. Pack your favorite coat or sweater, comfortable shoes, business casual and resort attire for most days. You can dress up as much as you desire, but tuxedos and long dresses/gowns are certainly not required. Feel free to leave your ties and heels at home!
Setting sail following a 3-night pre-cruise land excursion in Prague, Czech Republic
Consider Adding a Pre- or Post- Cruise Land Excursion
Most river cruise companies offer optional pre-and post-cruise land itineraries. They typically range between two to four days and are accompanied by one or more of the cruise staff. Adding a pre-cruise land excursion is a fantastic way to ensure your river cruise vacation is not adversely impacted by unforeseen travel delays. Transfers from the pre-cruise city to your river cruise vessel and embarkation port are included. Our upcoming 14-night “Grand Danube” river cruise includes an optional 3-night pre-cruise stay in Prague, Czech Republic, along with an optional 3-night post-cruise add-on in Istanbul, Turkey. That brings our total vacation to just under three weeks, visiting two additional (for a total of ten) Central and Eastern European countries!
By Rob Provost
