Five Things We Love About River Cruising

My husband, Charlie, and I have been on four river cruises – three in Europe and one in the U.S.  We’ve sailed from Burgundy to Provence in France on the Soane and Rhone Rivers, from Prague to Budapest on the Danube River, and from Amsterdam to Basel on the Rhine River.  We’ve also sailed from St. Louis to Louisville on the American Queen steamboat.  All four of these cruises have been unique.  The scenery on each was extraordinary.  The ships had their own personalities in their layout and design.  The itineraries, needless to say, cannot be compared, as each was so different.  From the vineyards, lavender and sunflower fields in France, to the castles along the Rhine, to the history of World War II along the Danube, to the flavors of the small cities of the U.S., we found that there were similarities on all of them.

River cruising is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry.  We are booking more and more of these types of vacations weekly.  A number of the river cruises in Europe, especially, are already booking up quickly for 2013.  China, Vietnam, Egypt and the Nile and the Zambizi in Africa, as well as the Po River in Portugal are fast becoming exciting river cruise destinations.

Why is this form of cruising becoming so popular?  Here are five things we love about river cruising:

1.       All-inclusive Value – River cruises typically include shore excursions in the cost of the cruise.  This is a tremendous value.  And, most of the river cruise operators (Avalon Waterways, Viking River, Tauck River Cruising, and American Queen Steamboat Company, to name a few) include wine and beer with lunch and dinner.  Many river cruise lines even offer complimentary Internet access as well.

2.       Easy to Go on Your Own – River cruises typically dock within walking distance of a city or town along the river.  This makes it very convenient if you want to explore on your own, or enjoy a lunch or dinner in town.

3.       Smooth Sailing – There is no motion on a river cruise, and for one who has an issue with motion sickness, this is a major plus.  So, if you are sensitive to motion, a river cruise is definitely something to consider.

4.       Relaxed Liquor Policy – River cruise lines are much more accommodating when it comes to consuming alcohol that you bring onboard.  If you purchase a bottle of wine in port, you can bring it back onboard and enjoy it up on the sun deck or in your cabin.

5.       Casual Dress Code – There are typically no “formal” nights on a river cruise.  The atmosphere is classy or “Country Club Casual”.  This makes it much easier to pack for your vacation.

If you haven’t tried a river cruise, now is the time to look at 2014 and a new adventure.