River Cruising Appeals to a Broad Audience
As river cruising becomes more and more popular, river cruise companies are rolling out new ships, developing new brands targeting a younger demographic, and crafting more exotic/unique itineraries.
Chances are, if you haven’t been on a river cruise, you know someone who has (and they’ve loved it!). One of the most appealing aspects about a cruise is that guests unpack once when they board. The ship then brings passengers to carefully selected cities and towns with a variety of excursions offered for differing interests/activity levels.
Since river cruising is so different from ocean cruising, it’s important to note that the ships are much smaller and often hold less than 150 guests. On rivers, there is virtually no motion to cause illness, and there is very little time spent cruising during a typical day. Most ships do the cruising at night so that guests wake up to a new port for the start of the next day.
Selecting The Right River Cruise
With more than 10 major river cruise companies offering a wide array of itineraries, services, onboard amenities and inclusions, choosing the right cruise can be challenging. It’s impossible to compare on price alone. Some cruise lines are more “inclusive” than others. A few companies offer just the cruise, and customers pay additional amounts for drink packages, gratuities, optional excursions, etc. Other cruise lines include all of these features in their base pricing, so be sure to consider exactly what’s included with the fare.
If you’re a “foodie”, you’ll want to select a cruise line that offers the cuisine that you’ll be most satisfied with. Virtually all of the cruise lines include beer/wine with lunch and dinner, and several have started including unlimited drink packages as part of their base fare.
Fitness conscious guests should check to make sure that there is a gym/pool on-board and that the cruise line offers biking and hiking excursions. In addition, some ships offer wellness programs or fitness coach on-board who provides strength or stretching classes each day.
Luxury travelers will want a ship with many on-board amenities, room service, spas, and even personal butlers. Be sure to pay attention to the staff to guest ratio, since a higher ratio generally means more personalized service.
We Can Help
If you’re wondering about river cruising and aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for your next vacation, please contact me so that I can help determine the best option for YOU. I’ve completed extensive training for several of the most well-known cruise lines, and I know the strengths of each company. Don’t settle for the cruise that your friend or neighbor took, let me match you to the one that best fits your needs and travel style.
Fun ‘n’ Sun Travel & Cruise creates unique, memorable, and stress-free custom getaways to Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Call us at 1-855-557-5588, or visit us on the web for more information.