Reasons to book a river cruise

Picture yourself sailing along the Danube River, stopping to admire the grand architecture of Vienna and sipping wine in the Wachau Valley or exploring the mighty Yangtze River on an unforgettable adventure through Asia. River cruising has so much to offer the discerning traveller and with so many itineraries to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find a holiday that floats your boat.

“River cruising is undoubtedly the fastest growing sector of the cruise industry,” Adam Coulter from Cruise Critic explains. “18 new ships have been ordered for 2018 and already 16 ships are planned for 2019. Even though river cruises have been operating for decades, they certainly have come on leaps and bounds in the past decade. Modern ships with expanded amenities offer intriguing itineraries to places oceangoing vessels can’t reach - tempting more fans of seagoing vessels to move over to river ships.

“Europe is the world’s top river cruising destination and it’s the best place to start if you’ve never tried a river cruise. It’s important to consider what time of year you want to go. The river cruise season begins in early spring - typically in late March - and runs through to late autumn - the best time to grab a bargain.”

Whether you choose to explore Europe with Emerald Cruises or delve into the heart of Asia with APT Cruising, we’re certain you won’t be disappointed with your river cruise experience. Here are the top reasons to book a river cruise:

Opting for a river cruise doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream of seeing multiple countries and cities. Many of the world’s rivers snake through multiple continents, allowing you to explore lots of towns and cities along the way. The Danube River runs through 10 countries including Germany, Serbia and Hungary, the Rhine River winds through six countries including Switzerland, France and the Netherlands while in Asia, the mighty Mekong River flows through six countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. The only exception is the Yangtze River, which, impressively, is the largest river in the world to flow entirely through one country, China.

“On a river cruise, the opportunity to get very up close and personal with the towns and countryside you are visiting is a major plus,” Adam told us. “There are no long port-to-town transfers either, as you are usually docked right in the centre of everything. In addition, many river cruise lines also provide onshore overnight stays, so you have time to immerse yourself into the local culture in style.”

While there’s a novelty to ocean cruising, river cruising is much more intimate. Travellers who are seeking a relaxed experience in the company of like-minded people should consider a river cruise. With frequent stops in towns and cities and plenty to enjoy during excursions, river cruises get away with offering a more toned-down experience. However, that’s not to say that you’ll be compromising on on board luxuries. On most river cruise ships, you can expect fine dining establishments, sleek lounge bars and entertainment.

“One benefit of a river cruise over an ocean one, is that they are much smaller,” says Adam. “Whilst ocean ships have passenger counts in the thousands, riverboats tend to carry less than 200 passengers. Some exclusive hotel barges even cater for as low as eight guests. This means that river ship can really provide an enhanced personal service and it’s easier for them - as well as you - to get to know everyone on board your first day.”

While the same can be said for all types of cruises, it is an important point to note. With all your travel arrangements made for you, dining options readily available, bespoke excursions and the need to only unpack once, cruising really is an easy way to travel. River cruising is often even easier than ocean cruising, as you disembark in city harbours and ports with fewer people.

It’s important to note, however, that the entertainment and facilities on board a river cruise ship differ greatly to that of an ocean liner, as Adam explains, “Some river cruise itineraries can be quite exhausting as your days can be filled with lots of sightseeing on foot - so decide whether you want a cruise that offers a good share of scenic cruise days and not just lots of shore trips. A river cruise experience will not offer the same extravagant evening entertainment as ocean ships - like casinos or West End-style shows - so decide if a quieter on board experience is really what you want.”

Cruising can be an intimidating prospect for many travellers. The idea of setting sail for the high seas on a large ship is exciting for most intrepid explorers but if you’re seeking a way of dipping your toe into the cruising experience, a river cruise is a great choice. There are hundreds of itineraries on offer, ranging from weekend breaks to seven-day cruises.

“The Danube currently offers the most popular river cruise itineraries and is a great one if you’re new to cruising,” says Adam. “Nearly every river cruise line sails on the Danube. Most cruises either start or end in Budapest or Vienna but the port city on the other end of the cruise can vary, usually depending on the length of the cruise.

“Next in popularity is the Rhine River which gets its name from the Celtic word renos or ‘raging flood.’ Europe’s longest and most important river beings as a trickle of melted snow from the Rheinwaldhorn Glacier high in the Swiss Alps. It first becomes the Rhine proper at Reichenau, where it flows north to Lake Constance - a major water supply for Germany - and then heads through Schaffhausen to Basel, where Switzerland meets France and Germany. A Rhine River cruise is a heady experience indeed, with lots to see such as ancient castles, lush vineyards, winding streets of sleepy medieval villages, the historic grandeur of lovely old cities like Strasbourg and Koblenz or the buzz of vibrant, modern ones like Cologne and Basel.”