10 reasons to choose a river cruise for your next vacation
“There won’t be other people my age.” “I have been on a cruise ship and it wasn’t for me.” “The prices are too high !” You may have had some of these thoughts about river cruising - I had similar. Inclusions on river cruises vary greatly - but there are some points that always reign true. My husband and I were lucky enough to try a river cruise and we are now converts - here are some reasons why.
(Some background for you - my husband and I are sometimes the epitome of opposites attract. We can be very different travelers in what we want for vacation - here’s a quick low down: I am a picky eater, he is not. He is more athletically blessed - I am certainly not. We have a good amount of food allergies amongst us.)
Close to Shore Security: Stay close to the shore, alleviating worries of feeling stranded and ensuring a sense of safety throughout your journey. It was like a security blanket to know that if we really needed to get to shore we could in a matter of minutes
Floating Hotel Convenience: This was BIG for me. After being on ocean liners I was amazed that when ported we could come and go as we pleased with a hotel room key. No real rush back and no long line to get off the ship. Experience the freedom to explore at your own pace, knowing your floating hotel is always nearby, eliminating the need to rush back for curfew.
Diverse Excursion Options: From cultural tours to adventurous activities, there's something for everyone without the stress of last-minute bookings or overcrowding. (Some river cruises include excursions and with varying activities). For our cruise, we were able to make the decisions a day or to before, all were included, and we felt comfortable doing separate excursions. One day I chose a wine tasting tour and he chose a bike ride through the vineyards - it was awesome that we didn’t need to make one choice for both of us! ( I am more than grateful I got to drink the wine instead of biking past the premade product!)
Smooth Sailing: Enjoy a stable journey with minimal movement, sparing you from any potential seasickness and allowing for uninterrupted relaxation. We felt the boat move once - and later found out it was only because we were going through a lock on the river.
Personalized Dining: Remember when I said I was a picky eater? I have the food sense of a kid and I embrace it at this point. I was so prepared to not like the food I brought tiny packets of peanut butter on board with me. Not everything was for me - but when it was - I ate it all (sometimes two times over). The chef was VERY attentive to our allergies and it was commonplace to see him out visiting guests at tables. With smaller ships, dining becomes a personalized experience, catering to individual dietary needs and preferences without any hassle. Trust me, we were WELL FED and spoiled after this cruise. (We were travelling with two lovely twins who I absolutely would call foodies and they loved all their meals as well).
6. Relaxation on Demand: No FOMO here! After a day of exploration, unwind in the comfort of your cabin, enjoying river views from your balcony or window without fear of missing out.
7. Personalized Service: With fewer passengers on board, expect personalized attention from staff who get to know you, ensuring a comfortable and memorable experience. By the end of the cruise - we knew just about all the staff- and not only that but we knew them as people not just staff. We exchanged stories about families and shared meals together, even including the captain and his wife. It was unlike any other experience I have had.
8. Accessible and Inclusive: River cruises offer solutions for mobility and language barriers, providing guided tours with translation devices and excursions with varying levels of difficulty and some offer accommodating facilities like elevators and scooters for convenience. Finally, what we’ve all been thinking - AGE. Our particular cruise had ages 16-70+. We had family vacations, we had a couple have a surprise WEDDING! Every vacation is always as fun as you make it - if the age thing really bothers you - do what we did and go as a group!
9. Charming Small Cities: My number one reason for a river cruise vacation. Enjoy the quaintness of small towns without the hustle and bustle of big crowds, ensuring a relaxing and anxiety-free experience. Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Colmar- these are cities we absolutely would’ve missed with a traditional land tour or cruise ship.
10. (Yes I absolutely kept the best for last) Intimate Holiday Experience: Celebrate special occasions like New Year's from the top deck, surrounded by newfound friends, while locals celebrate ashore, culminating in a magical and convenient experience. We arrived two days after Christmas and were on board through new years. We decorated trees, the staff sang holiday songs, we were lucky and got a surprise excursion to a Christmas market- it was truly magical. New Years Eve though - will go in history as the best New Years Eve and I recommend it to all. Cocktails and apps with all of our new friends and the friendly staff, the countdown was toasted with champagne and then we all went up to the sun deck to celebrate. Fireworks were going off everywhere in the valley, behind a castle, truly 360. Locals were on the shore right next to us having the best night with sparklers and shouting Happy New Year to us. There was nothing but pure joy. I’ll never forget it. (The one minute commute to my bed after the partying was done was also quite amazing)
As you may have noticed - this river cruise is a favorite topic of mine. It is important to note each line provides unique experiences and inclusions. I would be overjoyed to speaker further and to find the best river cruise line for you! I truly believe a river cruise - for all the great experiences you receive is worth the investment. Remember, travel does not need to be exhausting and confusing (unless you want it to be). I am here to help you make travel easier.
