Messing About On The River

I was asked this week what was all the hype about a river cruise. I can understand people asking, especially if they have not been on one. Smaller ships, no big singing and dancing shows or casinos, no huge pools or climbing walls etc,  so why do people rave about them?  I know why I love river cruising, so I can only tell you of my personal experience and how much I would do another one again.

The main point of a river cruise is every single day you arrive at a new destination, with no days just sailing. The ships dock either right in the town or just a short walk away, so if you do not want to partake in a excursion you are only minutes away from the town or village to do your own thing.  Most of the river cruise lines offer excursions included in the price which is another great saving for us!  Most of the river cruise lines also include drinks with meals and some are 100% all inclusive, this again is a great advantage for you. The ships are small, but I loved that. The art of conversation is not dead. People actually do talk!

Some of the river ships have pools, there are sun decks up top too and dont forget a small gym to work that weight off as well as a hairdresser and if you are lucky a massage room. I had a back massage on my cruise from the cleaner, one of the best massages I had too!  The cabins are really lovely. We were staying in a french balcony room, the windows were full length floor to ceiling. Press a button and the window came half way down. Great views!  You can of course just go for the river view rooms which have a small window at head height, or you can upgrade to a suite.

Being so small do not under estimate the quality of food you receive. I have seen the very small kitchens they work from, yet they deliver night after night the most fab meals, enough I think to rival a top notch restaurant.  What about that personal service? In bounds!!!  The staff are all so lovely, take the time to chat to you, remember what you ate or drank the night before, just fab.  You don’t often get that on a big ship – unless you are lucky!

Destination wise, the most popular river cruise is without doubt Portugal and the river Douro. If you want to go, you need to book at least a year in advance, it’s a fast seller. If it is your first time, then go on the Danube and if you can sail to Budapest, a beautiful city.  You can also sail down the Rhine, Moselle, & the river Rhone. There is also the opportunity to do smaller durations too.  If you want to go further afield you can travel down the Mekong, or in Burma. the Volga in Russia or the Yangtze.

River cruising of course, is not for everyone however, I think once you have tried it you will want to do another one again. If I could sum up a river cruise I would say, back to bygone days it was wonderful!

Till next time x