Top 10 Reasons to do a River Cruise
Top 10 Reasons to do a River Cruise
River cruising has become one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry for a reason. Whether you’re going down the Rhine, the Elbe, or the Danube it can be a wonderful experience, full of history, beauty and romance.
The boats that sail these majestic rivers offer plenty and differ quite a bit from the huge ships used for ocean cruises. Although they are smaller, and more intimate, highly trained chefs provide enriching culinary experiences and there's more time to experience shore excursions.
So, if you’re curious about why you should try one, here are ten reasons I believe you should.
1. It’s the Best Way to see Europe
Traveling along the river you’ll visit more places, with a shorter amount of travel time in between, compared to ocean cruises.
For example, on the Viking Grand European Tour, you’ll visit 14 cities and six countries in just 15 days. Starting in Budapest and ending in Amsterdam, while floating down the picturesque Danube, you’ll also visit Vienna, Melk, Koblenz, and Cologne, just to name a few. You’ll see incredible castles, gorgeous vineyards, and breathtaking countryside along your way. Also, a large percentage of the destinations include a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Value
Great value could easily be the number one reason to do a river cruise. These all-inclusive trips provide your meals, multiple shore excursions at each port, wine, beer, coffee, tea, bottled water, wifi, on-board entertainment, and much more. They also offer items at an additional cost, bonus items such as a massage at their on-board spa, special off-shore excursions or a premium drinks package are available
Each cruise line is somewhat different with what they offer, so check with your travel agent as to what you want, and feel is important to you.
3. Floating 5-star Quality Hotels
Imagine staying in a luxury suite as you float down the Rhine with the view outside your window of an amazing medieval castle perched on the mountain top. Or you’re sitting on the deck, sipping a glass of the local wine, feeling the wind in your hair, and watching the world go by.
Typically, the rooms have a full bath, queen size beds, and a mini-refrigerator. There’s no sea sickness on a river cruise and you only have to unpack once for your trip. It’s a wonderful way to travel.
Rooms differ somewhat between the cruise line companies and currently Avalon Waterways might be the best. All their rooms have a floor to ceiling window that slides open to create a huge open-air balcony. By not having a veranda, additional space allows them to move the bed to face the window, so you can enjoy the view.
4. The food
The food, simply put, is amazing! Many cruise lines employ world famous chefs that create unbelievable meals for their guests. Much of it sourced, each day, from local markets located in the ports you’ll visit. They call it farm-to-ship and again it’s an advantage over the larger ocean-going cruise lines.
Unlike a huge ocean liner, they can’t provide as many menu selections with each meal, but they do have the ability to address any dietary concern. And, they also provide western style dishes for those that prefer them.
5. Iconic and Historic Places Along the River
Before paved roads and trains, the rivers of Europe were the highways. They were used to transport almost everything, so major cities grew up alongside them. Vienna, Budapest, Bordeaux, and Regensburg (one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities) are just some of the places you’ll visit when taking a river cruise.
Also, you’ll visit a different port each day, as you mostly travel at night. While visiting these ports there are plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way, filling your trip with amazing history and beauty.
6. Wine Themed Excursions
Traveling down the rivers of Europe you will be surrounded by some of the world’s greatest wine regions and the owners of the river cruise companies certainly haven’t missed that. Most companies offer themed trips dedicated to the wine and food of the area.
For example, Viking offers a cruise called Chateaux, Rivers and Wine. On this incredible 8-day journey, of Bordeaux, you’ll visit both right and left bank wineries, including Sauternes and an optional trip to Cognac. You’ll spend time in both Bordeaux city and St. Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the Colors of Provence tour, provided by Ama Waterways, you’ll visit Beaujolais, the northern and southern Rhone. In the northern Rhone region, you’ll enjoy a tasting of the wines of Hermitage. While in the south you’ll visit Chateauneuf du Pape. This tour has plenty of other options as well, including a Van Gogh walking tour.
7. Adult Focused
Other than a few select cruises from Uniworld and Disney, river cruises may not be suitable for children. Choosing the right cruise can be a wonderful adult get-away.
8. Fewer passengers/smaller ships
The ships on the rivers of Europe must fit into locks and under bridges so they’re limited in size. Typically maxing out at about 200 passengers, so it’s a much more intimate way to travel.
Unlike an ocean liner, with several thousand people on board, they provide a more relaxed pace. It’s easier to get on and off the ship and the ports aren’t flooded with thousands of people at once.
Also, on a river cruise, there’s a much higher ratio of staff to guest, providing you with superior service.
9. On Board Entertainment
While river cruise ships are unable to provide the Broadway type productions that ocean cruise liners have, they do provide excellent on-board entertainment. Whether it’s a string quartet, a historian talking about the local area, or even a cooking class there are plenty of entertainment choices for you to experience.
On board with American Cruise Lines you’ll be treated to all types of music including Jazz, Country and Rock and Roll. Not to mention some of the ports you’ll visit are rich with music history. Places like Memphis, Nashville, and New Orleans provide a great music scene for their travelers.
10. Opportunities to get away from the group
Want to be alone, just the two of you, and away from the crowd? That’s easy on a river cruise. When you come to a port you can go your own way. You also have the option of coordinating with the cruise director to find your way to the next port allowing you to explore by yourselves.
These are just some of the reasons to try a river cruise and there are plenty more. If you’ve been thinking about what to do on your next vacation, perhaps you should consider a trip down the Danube or Rhine.