Happy Tuesday!
Recently, I am reminded of me of how important it is to always be creating memories with those you love. I am so excited to share with you this week all about river cruising for those of you who want to plan one soon, don’t know the first thing about a river cruise, or just are generally curious about how it differs from an ocean cruise.
So, without further ado, check out this week’s article all about cruising rivers!
Have a great week!
Sandy
Would you rather go TO a country, or THROUGH one?
European River Cruising (You’ll stop & explore, of course!)
Unless you have had your head buried in the sand for the past couple of years, you are probably aware that River Cruising is becoming more and more commonplace these days, and a fantastic option (among many) for seeing parts of Europe and other countries.
Most commonly thought of in Europe, on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro and even Po rivers, River Cruising is also extending itself to Russia, China, Vietnam & Cambodia and – yes…even the United States.
Many of the voyages are “themed”, for special interests such as “wine immersion”, “Tulip Time”, “Jewish Heritage”, a popular “beer tasting cruise” along the Rhine, and the ever-popular “Christmas Markets” cruises during the months of November and December.
Here are several reasons why so many travelers are switching to River cruising…and very few of them will ever go back to the oceans!
The boats are smaller and more intimate (under 200 passengers) so you can actually get to know your fellow guests and not feel like you are being herded along like cattle.
It is as close to hassle-free as you can get. There are no lines to get on or off the boat and, when you arrive at your next stop, you can usually walk right off and be immersed in your destination. Europe grew up along its rivers, so there are some very charming and interesting small towns and big cities to explore.
The trip can be all-inclusive, depending on the cruise line and ship you have chosen. Some lines even include shore excursions in every port, airport transfers, Wi-Fi and all gratuities.
Being on the river, there are no waves, so seasickness is not an issue. Evening entertainment can be a little sparse, but there is always live music in the lounge, lots of movies and entertainment on your in-cabin TVs and most cruise lines bring on local entertainers in some ports, such as an OomPah band in Passau Germany or Gypsy dancers in Budapest. Plus, there are informative talks on the ports-of-call and cocktails with your newly-made friends from around the world.
The price tag of a River Cruise can cause a little bit of “sticker shock”, but when you figure out everything you are getting for the cost, it becomes much more manageable, and quite a good value.
Viking River Cruises is the most well-known of the River Cruise lines because they spend boatloads (literally) of money on television and print advertising, and they have done a lot to introduce travelers to the River Cruise concept. And they do a lovely job! I have had many very happy travelers with Viking.
However, just so you know… there are many other River Cruise lines with even higher customer satisfaction rates and more complimentary inclusions just waiting to show you the time of your lives as well.
A travel agent who has relationships with the sales reps from all the different lines can be incredibly valuable in helping you sort through all of the options and find the perfect fit!
River cruising is also a great option for small groups of friends, family or even work colleagues who would like to travel together ….whenever I book a River Cruise, I always ask if there is anyone who might want to join you on the trip….most times at least 1 or 2 additional couples come forward!
Who would you like to sip champagne with as you cruise through the incredible Wachau Valley in Austria’s wine country?
So, if you think you are finished with the hairy chest contests and waiting in line with 3998 of your new best friends on the Ocean cruise mega ships, why not give River Cruising a try?
96% of first time River Cruisers say they would recommend the experience to a friend! Easy Breezy Journeys is authorized to sell all the lines and I would be honored and thrilled to help match you (and your friends) to the perfect experience!
Get on board the River Cruise movement! I know I am ready to go! How about you?