Why River Cruise?

I previously worked for a River Cruise Operator and a common question I was asked is ‘Why should I River Cruise?’.

There are many assumptions about all cruising but especially River Cruises. For example, it is boring or too expensive. I have been on both Ocean and River Cruises and I hope I can change people’s views on this.

River Cruise ships are smaller in size to be able to cruise through locks and go to different ports. For me the benefit of this is less passengers on board- normally around 170. This makes your experience more personable. You get to know your fellow guests as there’s not many tables for two and no set seating for dinning. Also, this means fantastic service, the staff remember you and spend time getting to know you. When I was on the Rhine, the waiters on board learnt my name on the first day and even my favourite drink.

There is normally three different types of cabins on River Ships:

1.  Porthole/Window cabins- You normally find these on the lowest deck, so these are your best price, so if you do not spend much time in your cabin you may think this is your best option
2. French Balcony- these cabins on most ships are floor to ceiling windows that you can open but cannot step out. This gives you more light and air into the cabin so you will get the lovely views of your destination
3.  Twin Balcony- again with most ships these have a French Balcony but also an outside that you can sit on. These are bigger cabins and you can really make the most of the views (image example on the right)

I would always say that you River Cruise to see new exciting destinations. If you have Ocean cruised before and want inspiration of new places to visit then looking at a River Cruise is a brilliant idea, as I am sure you will find destinations you have not explored. If you would like something closer to home, there are many interesting Rivers in Europe such as Douro, Seine, Danube or if you would like visit somewhere further afield such as the Mekong or Yangtze.

River Cruising is also perfect for those who have never cruised before as the ships are smaller so its not overwhelming and there is so much included.

There are many different River Cruise company’s you could travel with, but the majority will include the minimum:

• Meals- a number of different venues and different dishes every day
• Drinks with meals (each operator is different in what they include)
• Excursions- key highlights are included for you so you don’t have to plan or book these yourself (vary depending on operator)
• Entertainment on board (this tends to be more low key as you are out most of the day on an excursion or exploring)
• Wi-Fi (vary depending on operator)
• Port charges/ Taxes

Then some offer an all-inclusive experience which also includes drinks at any time not just with meals and tipping, so there are no hidden bills at the end of your cruise.

I was also told that River Cruising is expensive but as you can see there is a lot included and it really does make a difference having a number of excursions already arranged for you. There can be some amazing deals for River Cruises, so it is always worth having a look and seeing what there is to offer.

When I went to Vietnam and Cambodia on a River Cruise it was the most interesting destination I have ever visited and having the key highlights included such as Angkor Wat and Cu Chi Tunnels means I did not have to worry about booking these myself and a knowledgeable guide was there to help (more about my Vietnam and Cambodia tour to follow in later blogs!).

I hope that this has given you more of an understanding about River Cruises. It would be great to hear your thoughts and own experiences, so please leave a comment.

If you have any further questions or would like me to look into a River Cruise, please do get in touch.