Why Go On a River Cruise?
Overseas travel rarely involves just one city as a destination. When you’re taking the time and spending the money to fly so far, you want to get the most out of your vacation. But one of the challenges of a multi-city international trip is changing hotel rooms every few nights. Unpacking and repacking your suitcase gets old after a while.
The solution? River cruising! River cruising allows guests to visit one port - or more - a day, as they sail down one of the major rivers of the world.
Enjoying Lucerne a few days before we set sail.
River cruise itineraries include Europe, Asia, Egypt, India, and South America. Guests can enjoy holiday cruises, themed cruises, and family cruises. One cruise line even offers a Mystery Cruise full of fun surprises! There are so many options as far as rivers, length of cruise, port cities - there’s something for everyone and every budget.
So what are the main reasons you should try a river cruise?
Sunsets from the water are the best!
Visit many great cities without changing hotels.
Unpack one time in your stateroom, and you’re ready to enjoy the week. On our recent cruise, there was ample storage space for everything I’d packed, so I completely emptied my suitcase and stashed it under the bed. I didn’t have to look at my suitcase even once throughout the cruise!
2. Enjoy all-inclusive pricing.
Most people love to know the total cost of their vacation when they book, but for international multi-city trips, meals and tours are a large part of the budget and rarely included in the booking price. But with a river cruise, your meals are included.
As far as what other inclusions, it varies depending on the cruise line. On my recent Uniworld cruise, the rate included: all meals, drinks and alcohol, entertainment, gratuities, and choice of excursions at every port.
Cologne
3. Get access to the very best excursions.
The tours that you’re offered vary depending on the river cruise line, but most all of them include some kind of tour at each port. The river cruise lines have a great deal of negotiating power, and they put that to good use, reserving the best guides, exciting excursions, and the most memorable tours. Whether you want to visit a winery, see a medieval castle, or experience a local celebration, you will have great options to choose from.
Hiking excursion in Boppard, Germany - making new friends along the way!
4. Get to know the other cruisers and cruise staff.
River cruise ships are much smaller than their ocean counterparts, and this means fewer people onboard. Your river cruise might have only 120 guests sailing, which means that you will see the same people at meals and on tours, and their faces will become familiar. On my cruise, I really enjoyed meeting new people. I encourage my clients to sit with other cruisers that they don’t know, and some have made friendships that extend long after they return home.
Biking around Amsterdam the day we disembarked.
5. Add on pre- and post-cruise options.
Your river cruise adventure does not have to be exclusively a cruise. I recommend planning a few days prior to your cruise and then again after, so that you can have an even longer vacation that will include destinations that you won’t get to on the cruise. My cruise began in Basel and went down the Rhine to Amsterdam, and I spent a few days in Lucerne before the cruise and in Amsterdam after. It really made it a complete vacation!
The S.S. Antionette
There are many river cruise lines. The ships are same size since they all have to sail down the same rivers, but they are not all alike. Some ships will have a fitness center, spa, and more lounge areas. Some itineraries are geared more toward active guests. Some offer more extras. There are many things to consider, and Vacations by Shannon can help you decide which river cruise line is right for you.
Roaring Twenties Night
River cruises can be booked far in advance. Contact Vacations by Shannon to start planning your river adventure!
Rome, Italy