14 reasons to choose a River Cruise
Thinking of booking your first river cruise? Do you normally go on ocean cruises but want to know if this year you should try a change?
Here are the highlights and benefits of river cruises and what the main differences are to ocean cruises.
RIVER CRUISE MAIN HIGHLIGHTS
CONSTANT SCENERY
You are never far from the shore so you get amazing views. The scenery is constantly changing and you get to see countryside that you wouldn’t be able to any other way. On ocean cruises you can have days at sea with nothing to look at but open ocean. One piece of advice… If you can then spend the extra to get the middle or top deck. they have floor to ceiling windows and Juliet balconies. the lower decks are half under the water so the small windows are high up so you don’t get the views.
ACCESS TO THE HEART OF AMAZING CITIES
The ships will moor up right in the heart of amazing historical cities. So the cruises actually combine a city break without the 5star city centre hotel cost. So if you are planning to visit various European cities over the next few years, why not combine them into one river cruise holiday.
A GREAT WAY TO SEE A REGION OR COUNTRY
You don’t have to unpack each time you visit a new place. A river cruise is a great way to experience the countryside, cities and culture of the region you are cruising through. You will see parts of these countries that people wouldn’t normally see. Rivers will cut through landscapes that are relatively untouched by tourism and away from the crowds.
MORE TIME TO EXPLORE – NO LONG TRANSFERS
As you can just hop off in the centre of the city without any long transfers to and from the port, you get plenty of time to explore. You can take an organised city tour or just wander off on your own and come back when you want. No restrictive itineraries or buses to miss.
NO LONG DAYS AT SEA
You will never have any long days at sea with nothing to look at. You are always close to the shore.
NO SEA SICKNESS OR ROUGH SEAS
If you suffer from sea sickness then a river cruise may be a great option for you. You will never have to experience rough seas and have parts of your itinerary changed or cancelled due to the weather.
ELEGANT & REFINED
If you like luxury and a more traditional experience, then a river cruise is a great choice. There are no bowling alleys or climbing walls in sight. This is a much more refined and elegant experience than most ocean cruises will offer. You may have a pianist playing after dinner but don’t expect a flashy show in the theatre.
FANTASTIC CABINS ALL WITH VIEWS
Unlike an ocean cruise, you won’t find any inside cabins. The ships are designed to take advantage of the views. Each luxurious cabin often offers floor to ceiling windows or even better, balconies to take in the views. The French doors open so you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine as the beautiful landscape floats by. Of course the lower deck cabins won’t have the full windows and balconies as mentioned previously, so if the views are important then book the middle or upper decks.
AMAZING DINING AND WINES
River cruises are famous for the quality of the dining and fine wines available. Foodies will love the fine dining and silver service. You won’t have to endure any buffet queues and certainly no risk of any tummy bugs that can sometimes be acquired on Ocean cruises.
ROMANCE FOR COUPLES
Couples looking for a romantic experience may find a river cruise is just perfect. Luxurious cabins & beautiful scenery, combine with a quiet and refined atmosphere, candlelit dining and visits to Europe’s most romantic cities. River cruises are popular with honeymooners and people celebrating special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays.
A MORE PERSONAL SERVICE
There are less people onboard and the service you can expect is much more personal than on a larger ocean cruise. The staff know your name and what you like.
INTIMATE AND FRIENDLY
The same goes with the other guests. There are much fewer guests on a river cruise and the atmosphere is friendly. Everyone is there to enjoy and you can easily meet new friends onboard.
QUIET WITH NO CROWDS, QUEUES OR KIDS
The smaller ships and fewer passengers also means you can expect a much quieter and relaxed experience onboard. No crowds and queues and definitely no screaming kids. River cruises are not the best option for families with small kids but that is a good thing for most people who are interested in river cruising.
UNIQUE DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
There are rivers all over the World and each one is unique. You could see the pretty countryside and historical cities and towns of Europe. Or you could explore the deepest darkest jungles on the Amazon. You can cruise the Mississippi on a traditional wooden steamboat. Or down the Nile to see ancient historic sites and stunning desert scenery. There are safari cruises in Africa where you can spot lions and elephants from your balcony and cruises through the incredible Three Gorges on the mighty Yangze in China. These are just a few cruises you an enjoy.
