River cruising is an altogether different experience from ocean cruising which many of us know and love. Not only do river cruise ships take you on a very different journey, but they also offer an added level of luxury and intimacy, making them a popular choice for those looking for something a little more indulgent.
Our river cruises take you to the heart of Europe and Asia, offering a glimpse at locations you never knew you could cruise to. From ancient villages to modern and becoming towns nestled in the countryside, we give you a glimpse into what a luxury river cruise is really like:
4 reasons to consider a river cruise
It’s a more intimate cruising experience
River cruises tend to be an intimate and personal affair with many ships welcoming under 200 guests onboard. Luxury river cruising is all about the experience, so with fewer passengers, crowds are few and far between, restaurants are quiet and more intimate and the staff are always on hand with any requests you may have.
Ilana from Life Well Cruised told us about her luxury river cruise experience, “River cruising offers a somewhat different experience than an ocean cruise; one that’s more intimate and really focuses on local travel experiences. However, just like an ocean cruise, river cruises allow the guest the convenience of unpacking once and exploring destinations at a leisurely pace.”
Heather On Her Travels agrees with Ilana, “While an ocean cruise may have thousands of guests, with a river cruise, there are normally less than a hundred, which gives the cruise a totally different feel. If readers tell me they’re not sure they will like a cruise, I always suggest they try out a river cruise first to see if they enjoy the experience on a smaller scale.”
As well as getting to experience luxury on a smaller scale, the friends you’ll make during your river cruise will make the encounter even more memorable. “You have the chance to meet many new people and forge lasting friendships (experienced cruisers can vouch for this),” says Melody from Wherever I May Roam. “We encounter many groups of friends while cruising who we met on previous voyages.”
You get to explore hidden towns and villages
The beauty of river cruising, and the reason people often choose river voyages over other cruise types, is the number of locations you sail to. The handpicked ports that feature on a river cruise itinerary are more exclusive ports that larger cruise ships can’t access, meaning you get to explore quaint and quiet towns and villages hidden in the depths of the European and Asian countryside.
“River cruising has several advantages for the cruise traveller,” says Ilana. “Firstly, an opportunity to explore picturesque towns and villages not accessible by regular cruise ships. Secondly, pricing is almost all-inclusive. Drinks are often included in the cruise fare, as are gratuities and tours, which eliminates some of the stresses of budgeting from the cruise travel experience. Finally, the small number of passengers allows river cruises to provide a level of care in their service and cuisine that is hard to duplicate in a large ship experience. River cruising is definitely a cruise travel experience that one won’t regret.”
Melody agrees, “What makes a river cruise better in my eyes is that your vacation visits various cruise ports each day and rests overnight. You literally wake up in a beautiful new place every day. How cool is that? The attention to detail is also noteworthy. On my river cruises, the service has been exceptional.”
“As river cruising is popular on the major rivers of Europe, like the Rhine River, Danube River and Rhône River, you can pack in a lot of sights to please the culture lovers,” says Heather. “As a fellow guest once told me, ‘I feel that we are sailing through history.’”
Experiences are more tailored
River cruises are designed to cater to everyone’s needs. And with fewer guests than on a traditional cruise, you’re often encouraged to take part in activities and excursions on and off the ship. Get involved in a day trekking through the beautiful countryside of Asia or stay onboard and enjoy the included luxuries like the swimming pool, jacuzzi or gym equipment. Onboard itineraries include drinks with the captain and a gala buffet to kick off the holiday, evening entertainment includes cabaret shows and professional dancing to name just a few.
Heather told us, “River cruise lines are increasingly catering for the traveller who wants to stay fit and active or have a more adventurous approach to their holidays. On recent river cruises, I’ve been on kayaking and cycling excursions.”
It’s also worth noting that most river cruises offer a completely all-inclusive service. Meaning all of your meals, activities and shows are included in the price. Enjoy three meals a day, including five-course a la carte evening meals, late-night snacks and a selection of amazing shows, shops and events.
It’s a smooth sailing and calming experience
The calm waters of some of the world’s most famous rivers mean that river cruises are often described as quiet and calm. The gentle waters and lack of waves mean movement on the river ship is minimal and often unnoticeable - the perfect option for those who often feel unwell onboard bigger ships that take you out to sea.
“For those interested in taking a river cruise, you might be surprised to know that there are little to no waves,” says Melody. “I have a lot of people asking if the water is rough or bumpy because they are afraid of motion sickness. The ride is smooth sailing the whole journey.”
The experience of being on the water, slowly floating through the countryside that takes your breath away is enough to make anyone fall in love with the idea of river cruising. Whether you’re looking to embark on a European river cruise or want to venture a little further afield, give river cruising a second thought and uncover hidden gems and make new friends for life - it really is the luxury cruise experience you never knew you needed to enjoy.
